A93085:381
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.
I beseech you therefore, Beloved in Christ, set upon the use of these means, think within your selves; What if the Lord had left me without the word? I will tell you what ye would have been. Look upon these poor Indians, herds of Beasts; look upon others on their Ale-benches, enemies to the Lord, such a one thou hadst been.
I beseech you therefore, Beloved in Christ, set upon the use of these meanes, think within your selves; What if the Lord had left me without the word? I will tell you what ye would have been. Look upon these poor Indians, herds of Beasts; look upon others on their Ale-benches, enemies to the Lord, such a one thou hadst been.
This blessed word and woice of God, every ⟨p. 193⟩very tittle of it cost the blood of Christ; written all the lines of it in the blood of Christ. Oh, make much of it, and it will make much of you; it will comfort you, and strengthen you, and revive you; and if the word come not with power, ye shall be under the power of something else; if not under the power of the word, then under the power of some lust. What is the reason that these poor creatures, that are come to the trial for life and death, that have fallen into such sins as were never heard of? What is the reason that they are under the power of their lusts? I will tell you what Solomon saith, My son, if wisdom enter into thy heart, and discretion be pleasant to thy soul, it shall keep thee from the strange woman, & sinful companion. If it be pleasant, here is the reason, the word of Gods grace it never came with power, or if it came with power, powerless the word of Gods grace hath been to them; and because it hath not come with power, the Lord he hath given them over to the power of their lusts, and sinful distempers. Oh Brethren, truly I cannot see how any man can maintain any evidence of Gods electing love; that shall hear and hear, and good days mend him not, nor bad days pair him: that can commend a Sermon, and speak of it; but that efficacy is not known to him, neither doth he mourn for ⟨p. 194⟩