N04855:641
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.
June 28. I saw my Life, Being, Body, Soul, were in God, and all Good from him. Hence I saw, my Heart should be carried only toward him in Love and Delight. And I saw from hence my Sin, and the Advantage Sin had against me was by Means of the Creature and Pleasures there. But when I saw all my Good in God and coming from God into them, my Heart was sweetly calmed and endeared to God. And I saw how I ought to walk with God. And this ⟨p. 29⟩I found did strengthen me against Sin, and made me resolve to be the Lord's.
July 2. I saw I was no Debtor to the Flesh, to serve it, either (1) for any Good it ever did me, (2) or by any Power over me, by Divine Justice satisfied in Christ.
I saw it my Duty, not only to pray, but to live by Prayer and Begging; for I observed how some of God's People did so. Hence I saw, I was not to live by Providence only, but by Prayer, (1) for my self, Body, Soul, (2) for my Children, and Family, at home and abroad, (3) for the Churches. Hereupon I asked the Question, Would the Lord have me to live by Prayer thus? And I saw he would have me, because he had given me an Heart frameable to his Will therein; and it did much refresh me to think, that the Lord should desire me to live thus, as if he took Delight in my sinful Prayers. And so I considered, how I might live by Prayer? And I saw (1) I should see what Evils accompany every Thing I go about, (2) what Good I need to have conveyed by every Thing. There are special Evils of Sin to be avoided, and special Good Things to be conveyed. And I asked, why I was to live by Prayer? And I thought, (1) Because it did honour God, (2) kept me from many unknown Evils which else would befall me: (3) Because else I could not have Assurance any other Prayers should be heard, which were not my Life. To pray by Fits is not the Way to find Help in Time of Trouble.