N04855:596
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.
April 14. When I was at Prayer (having on my Bed that Morning seen how sweet a Thing it was to be ever near the Lord, and thereby filled with holy, sweet Affections unto God) I saw and I sorrowed a little for my Sins and vile Nature, which was ever carrying and haling me from God, the Fountain of all Goodness and Love; the Blessedness of which, when any see, they cannot but mourn for their Sin.
April. 15. When I looked over the Day I saw how I fell short of God and Christ, and how I had spent one Hour unprofitably. And why? Because, though the Thing I did was good, yet because I intended not God in it, as my last End, and did not set my Rule before me, and so set my self to please God, therefore I was unprofitable: And so I desired to be humbled for it. And so I saw the Nature of Fruitfulness, that it consisted in acting for God with Singleness of Heart.
I observed my Heart in walking according to Rule; but I saw it fall off. And this I learned, that when a Man sets himself to walk by Rule, he will either say I cannot, or else will not, but hates the same.
April 16. I saw my Example did (1) Teach, (2) encourage, (3) counsel, (4) confirm others in Sin.