N04855:142
Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…
Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that we may comfortably walk with God in our general and particular callings: &c. In a letter to a pious friend in England. / By Thomas Shepard, M.A. Formerly of Emmanuel-College in Cambridge in England: afterward Minister of Cambridge in New-England. ; Corrected by four several editions.
Boston: printed by Rogers and Fowle, 1747
Case 6: CASE VI. Of Unwillingness to and Weariness in solemn Services.
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.
Again thirdly, You desire me to tell you how my self came to the Cure of Atheistical Thoughts? and whether they did wear out, or whether they were rationally overthrown? &c.
Answ. I answer,
1. At first they did wear out, meeting with fruitless and dead-hearted company, which was at the University.
2. The Lord awakened me again, and bid me beware lest an old sore brake out again: And this I found, that strength of reason would commonly convince my understanding that there was a God; but I felt it utterly insufficient to persuade my will of it, unless it was by fits, whenas I thought God's Spirit moved upon the Chaos of those horrible thoughts: and this I think will be found a truth.
2. The Lord awakened me again, and bid me beware lest an old sore brake out again: And this I found, that strength of reason would commonly convince my understanding that there was a God; but I felt it utterly insufficient to perswade my will of it, unless it was by fits, whenas I thought God's Spirit moved upon the Chaos of those horrible thoughts: and this I think will be found a truth.