A93085:373
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.
6. The eternal efficacy of the word may be preserved in a power of Conflict against the power of sin: for therein the Lords power of the Word does principally appear in this life, though not in a power of victory, I mean a complete victory, yet an imperfect and incomplete victory, there ever is first or last, wherever there is a power of Conflict. I mean thus, the Word it singles a man out, and speaks to his heart, and sets him at variance with his sin, and with himself for his sin, and he joins side with God in the use of all means, that his unbelieving heart and proud Spirit may be subdued; it sets him at variance with his sin; now there is many a Christian thinks there is no power of the Word: oh my unbelief continues still, and my vain mind, and I can find little strength; no, ye must not look for a power of complete victory, ⟨p. 184⟩but yet there is a power of Conflict; God he sets the soul at an everlasting distance with his sin, never to be reconciled, and looks to the Lord, that by his Word and Spirit he would subdue them, that so he may see the death of them, and he sides with the Lord in the use of all means, comes to the Word, and comes to Prayer, and says, Speak against my sin, Lord; Lord, waste these distempers: and so the soul is thus at variance with his sin, although his temptations do get wind and hill of him, he goes again, and to them again: and though he perisheth, and never have mercy from the Lord; yet, Lord, that I may never sin against thee more, help therefore, Lord, by this promise, and mercy and means; and here he keeps him, and here he holds. Truly, brethren, here is an eternal virtue, and such a virtue as no hypocrites have, that have some sting of conscience, and after they have some peace, they are at truce with their sins. No, there is an everlasting conflict and warfare, and I do assure you there is an everlasting power gone forth. Mat. 12, 20. Christ will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, till judgement come to victory; Therefore there may be judgement, but it may not come to victory, there may be smoke and fire, and it may almost go out, and he Lord he blows it up again, and at the last, though it be ⟨p. 185⟩weak and little, and he think with himself he shall never get strength again, yet the Lord will give victory in his time.