N04855:729
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 also that my Heart was ready to think, I have prayed enough after such a Day and such Hopes. But I saw (1) That though God purposeth Mercy, yet he withal intendeth the Decree shall bring forth by Prayer: (2) He will therefore have us pray till the Thing be granted: (3) When the Decree hath begun to bring forth, I saw that all the Degrees of Mercy arise by several Degrees of Prayer: As when Faith is begun, ⟨p. 63⟩but 'tis imperfect, Prayer must be continued still for all the rest; as the chapped Ground opens still wider and wider, till Rain fall.
I saw also that my Heart was ready to think, I have prayed enough after such a Day and such Hopes. But I saw (1) That though God purposeth Mercy, yet he withal intendeth the Decree shall bring forth by Prayer: (2) He will therefore have us pray till the Thing be granted: (3) When the Decree hath begun to bring forth, I saw that all the Degrees of Mercy arise by several Degrees of Prayer: As when Faith is begun, ⟨p. 63⟩but 'tis imperfect, Prayer must be continued still for all the rest; as the chap'd Ground opens still wider and wider, till Rain fall.
Nov. 13. I was considering the State of the Country by Reason of its Poverty. I had two Arguments suggested to make me hope the Lord would relieve us—
1. Because, if the Lord had given himself for his People to redeem them from the greatest Sin of the World; then from out of those Sins by which our Distresses are occasioned now: (2) Because we are a poor afflicted People, cast out of our own Country from our Friends and Comforts there; and all our Sorrows and Suffering here are in Part by Reason of their Cruelty and Persecution; and that therefore the Lord will deliver, if we sought. O Lord, remember my Sighs!