N04855:696
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.
I saw in my Sleep that Night, that a Christian was to act not only from a natural Power of Grace, which doth act with all its Might where it is; but by a Power supernatural, whereby he attempts Things above his own Might, and bears Evils above his Might. So that now I see a Christian should act for Christ with all his Might and beyond his Might, having the supernatural Power of Christ to help him thereunto.
Sept. 9. I saw the Vileness of Neglect of God in Duties, because the Neglect of Duties is the formalis Effectus, the proper Effect of lying in my Falls, in my Sins.
I saw on the Fast-Day also, that (1) every Way I looked, there was Matter of Sorrow, in me, about me, Sin against God in Heaven, nay against Christ, nay cross to his Will, his Love, nay his Life: Hence I should mourn. (2) I saw I had no Comforter to go to, when I had thus sinned against the Lord, no Creature.—
Sept. 13. In my Meditations at Night, I found my Heart desirous to live in this World and do Good here, and not to die. Hence I asked my Heart the Reason why I should not be desirous to die? And in musing on it I saw that Christ was ascended up to Heaven; that so not here, but there all his Elect might one Day behold his Glory and love him and glorify him for ever. And I saw that this was God's main Plot and the End of all, to make Christ very glorious, and so beloved in Heaven for ever, where that which I desired most in this World (viz. that Christ might not only be precious, but very dear and precious) should be perfectly accomplished: and hereupon I secretly desired this Mercy and desired it for my Child and Brethren and all the Churches; That, though we were blind here, and knew him not, loved him little, yet that this might