A93085:367
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances, and appointments, the best means to preserve…
Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances, and appointments, the best means to preserve our liberty. Together with a treatise of ineffectual hearing the word; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shepherd, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michel pastor of the said church in New England.Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances, and appointments, the best means to preserve our liberty. Together with a treatise of ineffectual hearing the word; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shephard, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michell pastor of the said church in New England.
London: printed for John Rothwell, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As now there are two golden vessels; one a man fills, and it is everyday dropping, and he preserves it; another vessel he do's not fill, but with something that he hath, he is every day widening of it. So some Christians, ⟨p. 179⟩the Lord he's a filling of them; others, the Lord he do's not fill them with such peace and joy; ay, but though the Lord is not filling of them, he is a widening of them: there is such a virtue that the lord do's enlarge the heart; with secret desires and longings after more of Gods grace, and Christs: The Lord he saith, I intend to make this man a vessel of glory; and I intend he shall have a great deal of glory and peace at the last. The lord he leaves such an impression of the word upon him, as that thereby he enlargeth the heart; Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
As now there are two golden vessels; one a man fills, and it is everyday dropping, and he preserves it; another vessel he do's not fil, but with something that he hath, he is every day widening of it. So some Christians, ⟨p. 179⟩the Lord he's a filling of them; others, the Lord he do's not fill them with such peace and joy; ay, but though the Lord is not filling of them, he is a widening of them: there is such a vertue that the lord do's enlarge the heart; with secret desires and longings after more of Gods grace, and Christs: The Lord he saith, I intend to make this man a vessel of glory; and I intend he shall have a great deal of glory and peace at the last. The lord he leaves such an impression of the word upon him, as that thereby he enlargeth the heart; Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
4. A Christian may have the everlasting efficacy of the word and voice of God preserved in a spirit of thankfulness and love to the Lord, for those joys and good that it finds by the word sometimes. When it feels that the sweet and savour of the word is gone, a spirit of thankfulness and love to the word that doth remain; The Lord he preserves the efficacy of the word in this way.