N04855:57
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
Case 1: CASE I. Of ordering the Thoughts in Civil Employments.
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.
2. If they be animated and quickened from ⟨p. 6⟩God's command, for the higher measure of holiness, for glorious ends, without a warrant from the Word, is the more sordid superstition. Christ healed the leper: when he charged him with anger to tell no man; he, no question for a good end, published the miracle the more: this was a good motion, but it was sinful in him, being cross to Christ's command. When Christ would have washed Peter's feet, he had many thoughts that came into his head, concerning his own vileness, and Christ's glory; and had a good end and meaning in his answers; yet his humility crossing Christ's command, the Lord professeth against it and him for it, that he had no part in him, if he should go on in it.
2. If they be animated and quickned from ⟨p. 6⟩God's command, for the higher measure of holiness, for glorious ends, without a warrant from the Word, is the more sordid superstition. Christ healed the leper: when he charged him with anger to tell no man; he, no question for a good end, published the miracle the more: this was a good motion, but it was sinful in him, being cross to Christ's command. When Christ would have washed Peter's feet, he had many thoughts that came into his head, concerning his own vilenss, and Christ's glory; and had a good end and meaning in his answers; yet his humility crossing Christ's command, the Lord professeth against it and him for it, that he had no part in him, if he should go on in it.
3. God's Spirit sets a man on work in due season: For let the duty be commanded and rightly directed, yet if it be not done in season, it is not from God's Spirit: Hence Psal. 1. The righteous bring forth fruit in its season: and hence Solomon speaks of words spoken in season, are as apples of Gold: and hence we read in Ecclesiastes, of a time and season for every thing under the Sun. And therefore when there is a season of God's appointing for civil things or business; it is not season now to be molested or perplexed in it, by the injection and evocation of those thoughts which we think to proceed from the Spirit of GOD. I know indeed, that the Spirit of God doth enable a man to do whatever good he doth; but as Grace makes Nature sometimes to serve, so sinful