N04855:661
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.
Hereupon I found my Heart more sweetly drawn to close with God, thus as my End, and to place my Happiness in it: And also I saw, it was my Misery to ⟨p. 38⟩hold forth Sin and Satan and Self in my Course: And I saw one of those two Things I must do. Now because my Soul wanted Pleasure, I purposed thus to hold forth God, and did hope it should be my Pleasure so to do, as it would be my Pain to do otherwise.
I also considered of the Nature of a Sacrament; and I thought if Christ was here present to prepare and bless the Ordinance, I should believe. But I saw (1) Should I not believe, Christ did give me Meat, unless every Day he did lay the Cloth? (2) I saw, Should not I believe the Word by Ministers, because Christ doth not speak it with his own Mouth? (3) I saw, Christ did command his Ministers to do this in Remembrance of him; and if for Christ's Sake that he might be remembered and loved they do bless it, then he is faithful to make his Body and Blood present there, and so to make the Elements, Seals.
I also considered of the Nature of a Sacrament; and I thought if Christ was here present to prepare and bless the Ordinance, I should believe. But I saw (1) Should I not believe, Christ did give me Meat, unless every Day he did lay the Cloath? (2) I saw, Should not I believe the Word by Ministers, because Christ doth not speak it with his own Mouth? (3) I saw, Christ did command his Ministers to do this in Remembrance of him; and if for Christ's Sake that he might be remembred and loved they do bless it, then he is faithful to make his Body and Blood present there, and so to make the Elements, Seals.
I saw also that the Elements were not only Seals to assure me that Christ's Word should be made good to me believing; but also that Christ by sacramental Union was given to me. I saw also, that my Heart did say and conclude, I shall fall from Christ after this Sacrament, and have no more Strength against my Sins or Weaknesses than heretofore, nor Ability to live to him. Then I saw that the Sacrament was a Pledge that certainly I should have Strength; and also that this that I should have was a most sweet Thing, viz. The Life of Christ now begun and perfected hereafter.