N04855:564
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.
March 19. After a Day of Fast. As I saw in the Day, that I had Cause to weep exceedingly for my Sin, because it did lie so heavy, not only on the Father, but upon the Lord Jesus Christ, that they were so wroth with me, that they hid their Faces: and hence I saw that Sin lay heavy on their Hearts, and that therefore they were not only angry, but left me to my Sin, which caused some Sorrow. So after the Day, I saw and said, As Pride was my Sin, so Shame should be my Portion. And many Fears I had of Eli's Punishment for not reproving Sin in Mr. E. when I saw it, and that sharply.—And here I saw that God may, and doth sometimes, make some one godly Man a Terror and dreadful Example of outward Miseries; that all others may fear that be godly, lest his Commands should be slighted, as he did by Eli. And so I saw, the Lord might justly never let my Sins be purged away by Sacrifice.—
March 20. My Heart was much affected with the Riches of God's Mercy, in reading Jer. 36.3. That the very Threatening of God to destroy, is to make Men return and pray, and so live: Which is deep and dear Mercy. And that the Lord deals thus with such as are almost hopeless. Yet if there be any Hope, the Lord pitieth; It may be they will return. Which made me, that Morning, in Prayer to pour out my Heart in true and plain Confession of my Vileness, which I knew, with Groans for Grace.
March 20. My Heart was much affected with the Riches of God's Mercy, in reading Jer. 36.3. That the very Threatning of God to destroy, is to make Men return and pray, and so live: Which is deep and dear Mercy. And that the Lord deals thus with such as are almost hopeless. Yet if there be any Hope, the Lord pitieth; It may be they will return. Which made me, that Morning, in Prayer to pour out my Heart in true and plain Confession of my Vileness, which I knew, with Groans for Grace.