N04855:508
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.
Such are the Times wherein a Diversity of Sentiments in Religion greatly prevails among the Professors of it; when many are disposed to lay the Stress of Religion on those Things which the Word of God makes little or no Account of, or perhaps wholly rejects, and to neglect and wholly pass by those Things wherein the Soul and Essence of it is really contained.
Such are the Times wherein a Diversity of Sentiments in Religion greatly prevails among the Professors of it; when many are disposed to lay the Stress of Religion on those Things which the Word of God makes little or no Account of, or perhaps wholly rejects, and to neglect and wholly pass by those Things wherein the Soul and Essence of it is really contain'd.
How far this is the present State of Religion in some Places, and how much Stress is laid by many upon some Things, as being Effects and Evidences of exalted Degrees of Religion, when they are so far from being of any Importance in it, that they are really irreligious, a Mixture of self Love, Imagination and spiritual Pride, or perhaps the Influence of Satan transformed into an Angel of Light; I say, how much Stress is laid upon these Things by many I shall not undertake to determine. But 'tis much to be feared, that while God was carrying on a glorious Work of Grace, and undoubtedly gathering an Harvest of Souls to himself; (which we should always remember with Thankfulness.) Numbers of others have at the same Time been fatally deluded by the Devices of Satan and their own corrupt Hearts.
How far this is the present State of Religian in some Places, and how much Stress is laid by many upon some Things, as being Effects and Evidences of exalted Degrees of Religion, when they are so far from being of any Importance in it, that they are really irreligious, a Mixture of self Love, Imagination and spiritual Pride, or perhaps the Influence of Satan transformed into an Angel of Light; I say, how much Stress is laid upon these Things by many I shall not undertake to determine. But 'tis much to be fear'd, that while God was carrying on a glorious Work of Grace, and undoubtedly gathering an Harvest of Souls to himself; (which we should always remember with Thankfulness.) Numbers of others have at the same Time been fatally deluded by the Devices of Satan and their own corrupt Hearts.