N04855:612
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.
I considered, that when Prayer is vehement for a Blessing, and our Humiliation and Breaking, from Sin is suitable to our Affection, God ever answers them. Hence, let Men observe, if they are earnest for any outward Blessing, and their Hearts are stirred up so as to believe they shall have it, let them see if their Humiliation was proportionable. Hence also 'tis, that when the Lord denies us, 'tis ever to humble us, which is Mercy; and we shall see that we have most need of that. And hence also when humbled, we may reap the Fruit of Prayers made many Years before.
On Saturday [May 8] at Night I saw Union to God to be the greatest Good; and my Sin in not cleaving wholly to him with all my Heart, the Height of all Sin, from Hos. 10.1. Hence in Prayer I saw Sin my greatest Evil. 1. Because it had separated me from the greatest Good. 2. Because it kept my Heart with a secret Love to it from returning again to him, as my greatest Good.—3. Nay I saw that it made me make my Death my Life; viz Neglect of living and acting for God my very Life; and my War with GOD, my Peace; and my Damnation my Salvation: Hence I mourned.—
May 12. When I was stirred up to give Thanks for Mercies, I was put to a stand, Why not for Evils as well? Seeing both were from God's Will. And the Lord ⟨p. 23⟩put it into my Heart to see that it is because God's chiefest, dearest Attribute is honoured more that Way. And so I saw I was not to be thankful because the Blessing suited me, but because God's dearest and most beloved Attribute of Grace and Mercy was glorified hereby—
May 12. When I was stirred up to give Thanks for Mercys, I was put to a stand, Why not for Evils as well? Seeing both were from God's Will. And the Lord