N04855:557
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.
Feb. 23. At Night, after Lecture, I saw my Vileness, and saw, I was not to seek my self in Prayer. And hence the Lord made me see nothing but Shame to belong to me. And hence praying for the Church, I asked my Soul, whether those Prayers could be heard? And I found an Answer, The Lord will hear the Prayer of the humble, will not despise their Cry. Which did sweetly cheer my Heart, to see my Soul built on such Promises as David did usually comfort himself withal: For I Cry, For I trust in thee, For I am destitute, He will hear the Cry of the Humble.
Feb. 23. At Night, after Lecture, I saw my Vileness, and saw, I was not to seek my self in Prayer. And hence the Lord made me see nothing but Shame to belong to me. And hence praying for the Church, I asked my Soul, whether those Prayers could be heard? And I found an Answer, The Lord will hear the Prayer of the humble, will not despise their Cry. Which did sweetly chear my Heart, to see my Soul built on such Promises as David did usually comfort himself withal: For I Cry, For I trust in thee, For I am destitute, He will hear the Cry of the Humble.
Feb. 24. I saw how apt I was to think myself something. And the Lord put me on humbling Work, to see I was Worse than nothing, and to seek no other Advancement or Honour, but Mercy, if I might find that; which I thought was a great, yet holy Ambition.
March 2. I was cast down with the Sight of our Unworthiness in this Church, deserving to be utterly wasted. But the Lord filled my Heart with a Spirit of Prayer, not only to desire small Things, but with an holy Boldness to desire great Things for God's People here, and for my self; viz. That I might live to see all Breaches made up, and the Glory of the Lord upon us; and that I might not die, but live to show forth God's Glory to this and the Children of the next Generation. And so I arose from Prayer with some Confidence of an Answer. (1) Because I saw Christ put it into my Heart to ask.—(2) Because he was true to hear all Prayer.