N04855:537
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
MEDITATIONS AND Spiritual Experiences OF Mr. THOMAS SHEPARD.
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.
This Morning, in Meditation and Prayer; I was tempted to think, no Promise, no nor Command of God to seek the Lord and submit to him, was directed to me; but rather, that he had in Justice forsaken me, and so let me do what I please. But when I considered the Scriptures, how that they did but manifest that acting Will of a living God, revealing that ⟨p. 5⟩secret Will, which is ever so set as the Word reveals; my Soul was quieted, and I loved the Scriptures the more.
Jan. 9. As I was walking in my Study, musing on my Sermon in Q. 10. That God's Mercy was himself, as his Justice also was; the one to the Men that come to Christ; and to those that are out of Christ, the other: Hence I considered, when I come to Christ there is no Wrath or Justice to devour, but sweet Love: Wrath there is for refusing him, not else. It was then objected, But it is to the Elect only. The Lord let me then see, I had nothing to do with that, but to look on his Truth, which is to them that come to him, that he would stand as a Rock between the scorching Sun and their Souls. Hence my Heart was sweetly ravished, and began to long to die, and think of being with him. And my Heart said, Remember to comfort your self thus, when you come to lie on your Sick Bed, to lie under this Rock, as in a hot Day. If one saw a Rock in a hot Day, should he Say, That Rock will cool me if I be elected to it, and God has purposed it; so keep off in Fears? No, God has purposed thus to be a Rock to all that come to him, and are drawn by his Love.
Jan. 11. In the Morning, the Lord presented to me the sad State of the Church; which put me upon a Spirit of Sorrow for my Sins, as one Cause, and to resolve in Season to go visit all Families. But first to begin with my Self, and go to Christ, that he may begin to pour his Ointment on me; and then to my Wife, and then to my Family, and then to my Brethren &c.