A93085:75
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.
Use 1. Use 1 Hence then see that the greatest liberty and sweetest liberty is to be under the government of Christ Jesus, although men do not think so: hence the Lord tells them here they shall know my service, they might have replied we do know it. No, till they be in bonds they know it not, nor cannot learn it. So 'tis now; and hence let men observe whiles they live loosely, and are guided by their own wisdom, for their own ends, according to their own will, at peradventures, at rovers, as they please, they do think this liberty very sweet; and 'tis better then to be curbed in: But let the Lord strike an arrow in the heart of these wild bucks, that have broke park and pale, send affliction, and an Iron yoke of sorrow upon them or distress of conscience, if there be any sense and feeling left, they will bemoan themselves, and say, I did think my liberty sweet, but now I see 'tis bitter in a sinful way: and the Lords way was most sweet, by their own confession. Hence Psal. 2.3. Let us break their bands, ⟨p. 19⟩&c. But Oh now hence learn this truth, and digest it throughly, that the greatest liberty lies here: do not in thy judgement think Christian liberty lies, in being freed from the law as a rule of obedience in respect of the matter of it to be done, nor in thy practise; but know, though thou didst meet with a thousand Sorrows with it and griefs, yet 'tis sweet. Christs yoke; (Mat. 11.30) is easy, and his burden light. What? When not a hole to hide his head in, when a reproach of men, a worm & no man, when be bore the Fathers wrath? Yes, when he was meek under it, (not mine but thy will be done) it was then most sweet. 1 Kings 9.21, 22. To be a servant to Solomon is no bondage, Psalm 119 32. I will run, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Ʋse 1. Ʋse 1 Hence then see that the greatest liberty and sweetest liberty is to be under the government of Christ Jesus, although men do not think so: hence the Lord tells them here they shall know my service, they might have replyed we do know it. No, till they be in bonds they know it not, nor cannot learn it. So 'tis now; and hence let men observe whiles they live loosly, and are guided by their own wisdome, for their own ends, according to their own will, at peradventures, at rovers, as they please, they do think this liberty very sweet; and 'tis better then to be curb'd in: But let the Lord strike an arrow in the heart of these wilde bucks, that have broke parke and pale, send affliction, and an Iron yoke of sorrow upon them or distresse of conscience, if there be any sense and feeling left, they will bemoan themselves, and say, I did think my liberty sweet, but now I see 'tis bitter in a sinful way: and the Lords way was most sweet, by their own confession. Hence