N04855:724
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.
Over Night I did question, whether the Lord did call me to Him in such a Day? And I saw, the Lord called upon Scorners to turn at Wisdom's Reproof, and to dig for Wisdom. And on the Morning betimes in Prayer, the Lord let me see, he called me unto him: "Come and seek and seek with all thy Heart." And this came fresh and clear to me, and did much affect my Heart, to think that the Lord should call unto me, as he did call Abraham to follow him. And here I began to have some Light let in about effectual Calling; And I saw these Things about it: [1] I saw the first Act of Calling was by the Command of God in his Word: [2] That it was by the Word of the Gospel, or Command of the Gospel, ⟨p. 61⟩"Come unto me, Return to me!" [3] I saw the Lord did this effectually; (1) By letting in a Light, clearly to see that he called me in particular, (2) By letting in the Goodness and Sweetness of the Command, as well as the Truth of it: [4] This Goodness and Sweetness of the Command I saw in two Things! (1) In Regard of the great Love of God in the Command, for a poor Sinner, thinking God cares not for it, and hence would not have it come to him, being so vile: O, the Command, which saith, Yet return, and seek, and come, is exceeding sweet Love; (2) In Regard of the End of the Command, which was Fellowship with himself, that he may be all and do all: This was sweet: [5] I saw, this was not only by a Command, though firstly, so, but nextly by his Promise: And this Promise I saw was not to be seen but in the Word: And I saw all Things promised to such a one as comes. And hence I saw, I had no need of searching God's Election as I did begin to do in the Morning, whether he loves me, or no: For I saw (1) God the Father's Favour promised; "Return, and I'll return to you! 2 Chron. 32. (2) I saw Christ promised; for we are called to his Fellowship, and are bid to take him: Isai. 55.1, 2. (3) The Spirit promised, Prov. 1. Return, Scorners, and I'll pour out my Spirit on you (4) Abolishing all Sin and Punishments of Sin, Jer. 3.22, 23. (5) Perseverance promised, John 6.37. I'll in no wise cast out.