A93085:89
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. Answ. 2 When men if they see their bondage yet have no heart to come out of it, in using all means for that end. When the will is in captivity, no captivity like it, no galley-slave like it: A child of God hath a bondage and is led into captivity, but Oh miserable man he cries; but these, Prov. 17.10. have a price in their hand, but no heart to make use of it. Ezra. 1.5. So many whose hearts the ⟨p. 27⟩Lord stirred, they gat up to go to Jerusalem: But the Lord never stirs the hearts of these poor creatures: they know and fear, yet have no heart to get out of that condition, nay rather willingly are so. They sell themselves to their lusts, and sins, and Satan; here is (saith Satan) this gain, neglect prayer for it, tell a lie for it, break Covenant for it, lose thy peace for it: here is this honour and credit, look big on it: here is this estate, carry thy countenance high, and thus apparel thy self with these trappings, walk thus with thy boots French-like: here is this pleasure and mirth, keep thou this company, loose thy heart, neglect thy God, give thy self over to it: here is this ease, defer thy repentance, be cold in prayer, neglect thy family; and a man sells himself to his lust, pleasures and honours; thou art thus provoked, and therefore now thou must fret, and murmur, and rage, and hold thy own, and so ease thy heart, thus men set themselves to sale willingly.
2. Answ. 2 When men if they see their bondage yet have no heart to come out of it, in using all means for that end. When the will is in captivity, no captivity like it, no gally-slave like it: A childe of God hath a bondage and is led into captivity, but Oh miserable man he cries; but these, Prov. 17.10. have a price in their hand, but no heart to make use of it. Ezra. 1.5. So many whose hearts the ⟨p. 27⟩Lord stirred, they gat up to go to Jerusalem: But the Lord never stirs the hearts of these poor creatures: they know and feare, yet have no heart to get out of that condition, nay rather willingly are so. They sell themselves to their lusts, and sins, and Satan; here is (saith Satan) this gaine, neglect prayer for it, tell a lie for it, breake Covenant for it, lose thy peace for it: here is this honour and credit, look big on it: here is this estate, carry thy countenance high, and thus apparrel thy selfe with these trappings, walke thus with thy bootes French-like: here is this pleasure and mirth, keep thou this company, loose thy heart, neglect thy God, give thy selfe over to it: here is this ease, deferre thy repentance, be cold in prayer, neglect thy family; and a man sells himselfe to his lust, pleasures and honours; thou art thus provok't, and therefore now thou must fret, and murmur, and rage, and hold thy own, and so ease thy heart, thus men set themselves to sale willingly.