N04855:503
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
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.
PREFACE.
'TIS always a Matter of the highest Importance both with Regard to the Honour of God and the Interests of the Souls of Men, that true Religion be justly delineated; that it appear in its own native Excellency, Worth, and Beauty, with all its Goodness and Virtue; as that which conforms the Soul to the Image of the blessed God, the Conversation and Practice to the Rules of his Word, and the Example of Christ; and qualifies the Man for the glorious Employments and Entertainments of the heavenly State, as well as for a faithful Discharge of the Duties assigned him by Divine Providence in this present World.
'TIS always a Matter of the highest Importance both with Regard to the Honour of God and the Interests of the Souls of Men, that true Religion be justly delineated; that it appear in its own native Excellency, Worth, and Beauty, with all its Goodness and Virtue; as that which conforms the Soul to the Image of the blessed God, the Conversation and Practice to the Rules of his Word, and the Example of Christ; and qualifies the Man for the glorious Employments and Entertainments of the heavenly State, as well as for a faithful Discharge of the Duties assign'd him by Divine Providence in this present World.
When the Nature, the Properties and Effects of this divine Religion, which our LORD has taught and exemplified to us, are thus clearly opened and duly represented, this tends to rectify the Mistakes of many Persons in religious Matters; to prevent and remove many Prejudices Persons are disposed to receive and entertain against Religion, through Mistakes, either in themselves or others; (although' twill still remain a sad Truth, that Men's Hearts are naturally averse to the Power of Religion, though represented in the most agreeable Light.) It likewise tends to convince rational and thinking Persons, who are not given up to Vice and Prejudice, (especially if withal they see it duly exemplified, in the Lives of those who profess it) that of a Truth GOD is in this Religion. By this Means also the false Hopes of Hypocrites are like to be detected and discovered to their View; and thereby an Opportunity given them to escape out of the Snare, that would otherwise have proved fatal to their Souls. Nor