A93085:375
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.
3. Use is of exhortation.1 Oh Brethren and beloved in the Lord Jesus, may a Christian hear the Word of God spoken, and yet never hear God speak? may he hear it externally and not internally? then rest not ⟨p. 187⟩in external hearing, and with some little movings, and affections, and stirrings of the Word of Gods grace in hearing. Let not the Word be to you as the sound of many waters, and a noise, no efficacy of the Word that do remain on your souls. Brethren and beloved in Christ, I lay my finger on the sore in these times. Oh the contempt of the Gospel of Christ, though I believe it hath its efficacy in the heart of the Elect: that is the thing that I press, never be content with external hearing, though thou mayest have some affection, and know new things, unless thou find the Lord speaking with an eternal efficacy to thy soul. I conceive two things are to be done, that the word may come with an everlasting efficacy; although something is to be done by Ministers; that is, to preach truth, and Gospel-truth, fetched from heaven with many prayers, and soaked truth with many tears. Ye shall know the truth, and that truth shall make you free. Convicting truth. We preach, saith the Apostle, in the demonstration of the Spirit. The Spirit of God when he cometh, he convinceth the world of sin. Let Ministers do so. Preach convincing truth and Gospel-truth, fetched from heaven, and bathed in tears. Oh brethren, let the fire burn clear, let there not be more smoke then fire, it will never come with power then; convincing Gospel-truth, ⟨p. 188⟩set on by the demonstration of the Spirit of the Lord, and this will set a Christian at liberty; there is never such a Sermon that the faithful ones of God preach to you; if it come not with a power to loosen you and call you home; it comes with a power to blind you: it is an axe at the root of the trees; but I leave this. What means ought the people to use, that the Word of God may come with efficacy?
3. Ʋse is of exhortation.1 Oh Brethren and beloved in the Lord Jesus, may a Christian heare the Word of God spoken, and yet never hear God speak? may he hear it externally and not internally? then rest not