A93085:52
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.
Ans. There is a double government of the Lord over his people. Answ.
1. Internal or inward, of which our Saviour speaks, Luk. 17.21. The kingdom of God (saith Christ) comes vot by observation and outward pomp; For behold the kingdom of God is within you: And this is nothing else in general, but when the Lord doth by his Spirit in the word of his grace cause the whole soul willingly to submit and subject it self to the whole will of God so far as it's made known to it; this is the inward kingdom of God & government of Christ in the soul. Rō. 8.14. So many as are led by the Spirit are the sont of God. Ps. 110.2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion, &c. 2 Cor. 10.4. Far the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Vers. 5. Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. There are mighty boisterous distempers, but the Lord when he comes in his Kingdom, to sit upon the royal throne of the hearts of his people, now they fly: and this is the inward Kingdom ⟨p. 8⟩of Christ, like a poor Subject pardoned and received to favour, he is before the face of the Prince continually attending on him. Revel. 7.14, 15. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Vers. 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple, &c. Now this is meant in part by Gods service in these dais; do you think the Lord cared for thousands of Rams? no, but to walk humbly, Mica. 6. Did he care for Temple and Ordinances? no, but Isa. 1.19. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Neb. 9.20. In those days he gave them his good Spirit to instruct them.