N04855:671
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.
2. I saw, that though I did seek Christ's Glory, yet I sought it not only, but my own Glory too. And hereupon thinking, whether a Man might not have some Respect to his own Glory; The Lord taught me, that in merely humane Acts, I might have some Respect unto it; but in the Ministry and that kind of Work, and so in all Work whereby I draw nigh unto him, this was such Work above me, and so wholly divine and God's Work, that I should here have no Respect to my self together with God. For I saw, God might have left me on the Dunghill, and not have betrusted me with only such Work as this is. I hereupon desired to be humbled, and that my Sins might be removed, that the Lord might succeed and bless me. And here I saw my Heart popishly carried, to think God's Grace would work upon the Removal of my Sin. Whereas I saw, that Justice would not work for a Sinner, till Sin were removed: yet I saw, Grace might work for it's own Sake and bless my Labours and pardon and heal my Sin for its own Sake; and so make Removal of Sin, not the Cause, but the Effect of it's Working.
2. I saw, that though I did seek Christ's Glory, yet I sought it not only, but my own Glory too. And hereupon thinking, whether a Man might not have some Respect to his own Glory; The Lord taught me, that in meerly humane Acts, I might have some Respect unto it; but in the Ministry and that kind of Work, and so in all Work whereby I draw nigh unto him, this was such Work above me, and so wholly divine and God's Work, that I should here have no Respect to my self together with God. For I saw, God might have left me on the Dunghill, and not have betrusted me with only such Work as this is. I hereupon desired to be humbled, and that my Sins might be removed, that the Lord might succeed and bless me. And here I saw my Heart popishly carried, to think God's Grace would work upon the Removal of my Sin. Whereas I saw, that Justice would not work for a Sinner, till Sin were removed: yet I saw, Grace might work for it's own Sake and bless my Labours and pardon and heal my Sin for its own Sake; and so make Removal of Sin, not the Cause, but the Effect of it's Working.
August 2. In Prayer my Heart was very desirous of having the Generation to come know, love and fear the Lord; and my Heart was hereupon much enlarged to set upon Catechising.