A93085:378
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.
2. Draw near to God in the Word, by looking on it as God speaking to thee. We are far from God, and therefore we cannot hear him: draw near to him when you come to the external Word, when you come to hear the Word, hear it as the voice of God; You heard the Word at the Word of God, which you felt in you.1 I do not speak that the soul should take every thing that Ministers speak as the Word of God, but that which is the Word of God, take it as God speaking. I am not able to express the infinite unknown sweetness, and mercy, and presence of God, that you shall find thus coming. I know it is a common truth, but I am not ashamed to tell you, I have not for many a year understood this truth, and I see but little of it yet; ye have heard of it, but ye do not understand what it is to hear God speaking. When God hath an intent to harden a ⟨p. 190⟩mans heart and to damn him, either he shall have a prejudice against the man, or else if he hath not a prejudice against the man, there is a secret loathing of the truth, in regard of the commands of it, and that is all, and the Lord he hardens, and blinds, and prepares for eternal ruin, all the men in the world by this means, that live under the means. When the Lord spake to Samuel, Samuel heard a voice, but he heard it not as spoken by God, but when he took Eli's counsel, and saw it was the Lord that spoke; now he listens to the voice of the Lord, and now the Lord opens all his mind to him.
2. Draw near to God in the Word, by looking on it as God speaking to thee. We are far from God, and therefore we cannot hear him: draw near to him when you come to the external Word, when you come to heare the Word, heare it as the voice of God; You heard the Word at the Word of God, which you felt in you.1 I do not speak that the soule should take every thing that Ministers speak as the Word of God, but that which is the Word of God, take it as God speaking. I am not able to expresse the infinite unknown sweetnesse, and mercy, and presence of God, that you shall finde thus coming. I know it is a common truth, but I am not ashamed to tell you, I have not for many a year understood this truth, and I see but little of it yet; ye have heard of it, but ye do not understand what it is to hear God speaking. When God hath an intent to harden a