N04855:538
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.
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.
Jan. 12. On Lecture-Day Morning I began to feel my Heart slight and vilify what I was to deliver. But the Lord put it into my Mind, that though the Truth is a poor, mean Thing in it self, as every Ordinance also is; yet very glorious, as it is appointed and ⟨p. 6⟩separated of God for his own Ends. Hence I came to see the Glory of God's Ordinances, where it did lie; and that was, not in themselves, but in God's sanctifying them for most sweet Ends to communicate his Presence and his lovely Pleasantness, and this Love operating with Power.