A93085:84
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.
Answer 1. Answ. 1 When men do not loath their own hearts for their unprofitableness, but loath Gods ordinances secretly, and grow weary of them as of their burdens, because of the unprofitableness of them. When a people find not that special good by them which recompenseth all losses, and so prize them, but lay blame on them because unfruitful to them, Malachi 3.13. He speaks to a people got out of Captivity, Your words have been stout against me, no say they, 'Tis in vain to serve the Lord, what profit is there in this? you must conceive they had many losses, were very poor as vers. 11. a temptation which a proud heart cannot endure above any, here is now no profit in mourning, fasting, &c. and Gods own people began to think so: and hence, Verse 16. Then they spake often one to another, there was good effect of his Sermon: now what follows? Chapter 4.1. Hence the wicked shall come and cut off Branch and Root in Antiochus time, there is a burning day a coming, that shall burn down house, root and branch: and hence, Matthew 21.43. The kingdom shall be given to them that bring forth fruit, You will say, we do; No thy own mouth shall condemn thee, you ⟨p. 24⟩do not, you find no good by all the ordinances of God, and hence come those Questions: what warrant for such an ordinance? the bottom is, they never felt good of it, and hence grow weary of it: well if it be your burden, the Lord will ease you of it.
Answer 1. Answ. 1 When men do not loath their own hearts for their unprofitablenesse, but loath Gods ordinances secretly, and grow weary of them as of their burdens, because of the unprofitablenesse of them. When a people finde not that special good by them which recompenceth all losses, and so prize them, but lay blame on them because unfruitful to them, Malachie 3.13. He speaks to a people got out of Captivity, Your words have been stout against me, no say they, 'Tis in vaine to serve the Lord, what profit is there in this? you must conceive they had many losses, were very poor as vers. 11. a temptation which a proud heart cannot indure above any, here is now no profit in mourning, fasting, &c. and Gods own people began to think so: and hence, Verse 16. Then they spake often one to another, there was good effect of his Sermon: now what follows? Chapter 4.1. Hence the wicked shall come and cut off Branch and Root in Antiochus time, there is a burning day a coming, that shall burn down house, root and branch: and hence,