N04855:644
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.
July 7. When I was at Meeting to receive in Members, I considered of the Reason why the Lord helped me to pray, and yet did not answer me; nay Things did not stir nor move, but rather Things in Church and else-where in Men's Spirits went worse and worse. So I saw hereby, what need I had of all the Prayers of others, and to get their Prayers with Fastings with ⟨p. 30⟩me for those Blessings which come hardly from the Lord. Yet I saw the Lord could answer easily and suddenly, but he would not: And the Reason was, (1) Because he did delight in my Prayers, and hence he kept me (Musician-like) asking; (2) Because he delighted in the Prayers of many together; (3) Because he would let me see I did need the Prayers of others, as well as my own. And I saw also that all Prayers of Faith are heard instantly in Heaven, but many Times they are not heard from Heaven until many Shoulders are set to the Work.
July 7. I saw that notwithstanding all my Sins, I should see there was no Condemnation to me, nor should I fear it; (1) being in Christ by Faith; (2) Walking after the Spirit, because I resisted and mourned under the Flesh and Body of Death, as Paul did. Yet I saw, I should look upon all my Sins with an Eye of Lamentation, as being, (1) cross to God, (2) so contrary to the Life of Christ in me. For I saw that I made a Difference of some Sins in a Christian; (1) Some did cause God's fatherly Anger, and were more wilful, and Conscience upbraided me for them; (2) Others were Weaknesses, for which Christ pitied me. And here my Heart began to think, What need of such bitter Mourning for them? Now I saw, the Apostle (Rom. 7.) mourned alike for all. He feared none for Condemnation; he mourned for all with bitter Lamentation. So I was sweetly enlightened, and purposed, thus to walk; and not to mourn only for such Sins, as did hide the Face of my God, but for Sin in General, which goes against his Life, yea is contrary to the End of Christ's Death, and cross to the Will of God. And I saw it my Duty to mourn, and that bitterly with unutterable daily Sighings under the▪