N04105:547
The sound believer. A treatise of evangelical conversion. Discovering the work of Christ's spirit,…
The sound believer. A treatise of evangelical conversion. Discovering the work of Christ's spirit, in reconciling of a sinner to God. / By Thomas Shepard, sometime of Emanuel-College in Cambridge, since preacher of God's word in New-England. ; [One line from Matthew]
Boston: printed by Green for D. Henchman, 1742
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. In speaking and commending of him: Is it possible that any Man should love another and not commend him, not speak of him? If thou hast but a Hawk or a Hound that thou lovest, thou wilt commend it, and can it stand with Love to Christ, yet seldom or never to speak of him nor of his Love; never to commend him unto others, that they may fall in Love with him also? You shall see the Spouse, Cant. 5.9, 16. when she was asked, what her Beloved was above others? She sets him out in every Part of him, and concludes with this, He is altogether lovely. Because thy-Loving-Kindness (saith David) is better than Life, my Lips shall praise thee, and I will bless thee while I live, Psal. 63.3, 4. Can it stand with this Life of Love, to be alway speaking about worldly Affairs, or News at the best; both Week-Day and Sabbath-Day, in Bed and at Board, in good Company and in bad, at Home and Abroad? I tell you it will be one main Reason why you desire to live, that you may make the Lord Jesus known to your Children, Friends, Acquaintance, that so in the Ages to come his Name might ring, and his Memorial might be of sweet Odour, from Generation to Generation, Psal. 71.18. If before thy Conversion especially thou hast poisoned other by thy vain & corrupt Speeches; after ⟨p. 254⟩thy Conversion thou wilt seek to season the Hearts of others by a gracious, sweet, and wise Communication of savoury and blessed Speeches; what the Lord hath taught thee thou wilt talk of it unto others, for the Sake of him whom thou lovest.
2. In speaking and commending of him: Is it possible that any Man should love another and not commend him, not speak of him? If thou hast but a Hawk or a Hound that thou lovest, thou wilt commend it, and can it stand with Love to Christ, yet seldom or never to speak of him nor of his Love; never to commend him unto others, that they may fall in Love with him also? You shall see the Spouse, Cant. 5.9, 16. when she was asked, what her Beloved was above others? She sets him out in every Part of him, and concludes with this, He is altogether lovely. Because thy-Loving-Kindness (saith David) is better than Life, my Lips shall praise thee, and I will bless thee while I live,