N04855:693
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.
September 5. I was on Sabbath-Day Night secretly swelling against God, that he did not bless my Ministry. But then, remembering my Sins, how I deserved Death eternally, I was soon quieted; and I blessed God exceedingly for my Life, and that the Lord was not yet gone out of Hearing, but that I might come to him privately, and in extraordinary Duties and pray. So I prayed earnestly for Favour and Love of Christ and God in Christ, and for a Multitude of Mercies. And I prayed so long, until my Heart was made suitable unto Mercy; so as I prized nothing else, but God's Favour, so as my Heart did find Rest there, and was quiet with it; which gave me some sweet Peace. And I began to believe, Mercy was mine, because my Heart was confined to it, and filled with it, and did rest on it, and with it. For I considered, the Heart of all ungodly Men is ravished and runs out to Creatures and finds Rest there only. And so I fell to blessing God and praying for the Fruits of God's reconciled Love; and among other Things to bless my Ministry. And in doing this a Desire came in, viz. That the Lord would not bless my Words, but his own Word, because 'tis his own. Because I am sure he will bless his own Children and make them Blessings; so I was sure the Lord would bless his own Word, because it is his own.
September 5. I was on Sabbath-Day Night secretly swelling against God, that he did not bless my Ministry. But then, remembring my Sins, how I deserved Death eternally, I was soon quieted; and I blessed God exceedingly for my Life, and that the Lord was not yet gone out of Hearing, but that I might come to him privately, and in extraordinary Duties and pray. So I prayed earnestly for Favour and Love of Christ and God in Christ, and for a Multitude of Mercies. And I prayed so long, until my Heart was made suitable unto Mercy; so as I prized nothing else, but God's Favour, so as my Heart did find Rest there, and was quiet with it; which gave me some sweet Peace. And I began to believe, Mercy was mine, because my Heart was confined to it, and filled with it, and did rest on it, and with it. For I considered, the Heart of all ungodly Men is ravished and runs out to Creatures and finds Rest there only. And so I fell to blessing God and praying for the Fruits of God's reconciled Love; and among other Things to bless my Ministry. And in doing this a Desire came in, viz. That the Lord would not bless my Words, but his own Word, because 'tis his own. Because I am sure he will bless his own Children and make them Blessings; so I was sure the Lord would bless his own Word, because it is his own.