N04855:690
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.
August 28, 29. When I came from Preaching, I saw my own Weakness (1) of Body to speak (2) of Light and Affection within, and Enlargement there; and that my weak Mind, Heart and Tongue moved without GOD's special Help. (3) I saw my Weakness to bless what I did. Hereupon I questioned, whether the Lord would ever bless one so impotent, that did my Work without his Power, and sinned so much with such dead, heartless, blind Work: And I feared he would not. But then I considered (1) That God doth show his Power by the Much-ado of our Weakness to do any Thing. God works not by strong, but weak Things. 1 Cor. 1.21. He makes foolish Things and weak Things and Things that are not, to do his Work; that no Flesh might glory. (2) I saw that if he did so, ⟨p. 45⟩then the more weak I was, the more fit was I to be used; and that he could bless his own Ordinance by me. 2 Cor. 12.9. His Power pitcheth his Tents in Weakness. (3) I saw that the Lord (as weak as I am) had blessed my poor Labours; and if he should do it still, Oh how should I give the Glory to him! So my Heart was much affected and did give the Glory of all was ever done by me to God. And I thought I did now begin to do, what I should do for ever in Heaven. And I seeing that by this Way God should be glorified, I began to rejoice, with Paul, in my Infirmities, and my Heart began to be raised up from sinking under them: Because I thought I was bound to rejoice in God, that by my Weakness he would glorify himself. And I began to see how good it was to acknowledge and not be ashamed of my Weaknesses before others, that they might see the more clearly the Glory of God: Nor to be discouraged with them before, nor after my Work.
August 28, 29. When I came from Preaching, I saw my own Weakness (1) of Body to speak (2) of Light and Affection within, and Enlargement there; and that my weak Mind, Heart and Tongue moved without GOD's special Help. (3) I saw my Weakness to bless what I did. Hereupon I questioned, whether the Lord would ever bless one so impotent, that did my Work without his Power, and sinned so much with such dead, heartless, blind Work: And I feared he would not. But then I considered (1) That God doth shew his Power by the Much-ado of our Weakness to do any Thing. God works not by strong, but weak Things.