N29414:330
A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledge of God, and of our selves. First…A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledg of God, and of our selves. First…
A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledge of God, and of our selves. First composed, and improved, for the private instruction of the younger sort in Cambridge in New-England. / By Thomas Shepard late faithful Pastor of the Church of Christ there. ; And now published at the earnest desire of sundry well-affected persons. ; Together with the doctrine of conviction of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. Delivered in divers sermons upon John 16. 8, 9, 10, 11. and thence summarily drawn into quest: and answers by the same author. ; [Three lines from Peter]A short catechism familiarly teaching the knowledg of God, and of our selves. First composed, and improved, for the private instruction of the younger sort in Cambridg in New-England. / By Thomas Shepard late faithfull Pastour of the Church of Christ there. ; And now published at the earnest desire of sundry well-affected persons. ; Together with the doctrine of conviction of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. Delivered in divers sermons upon John 16. 8, 9, 10, 11. and thence summarily drawn into quest: and answers by the same authour. ; [Three lines from Peter]
printed by Samuel Green, 1654
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.
A. 1. Natural conviction by natural conscience is much defiled and corrupted. Titus 1.15. It will show some gross sins, but it brings not to light those which are most secret, and most dangerous; but super-natural conviction or the Spirit by supernatural conviction dealeth plainly, and discovereth ⟨p. 32⟩the most secret sins of the soul. 1 Cor: 15.14, 15.
A. 1. Natural conviction by natural conscience is much defiled and corrupted. Titus 1.15. It will show some gross sinns, but it brings not to light those which are most secret, and most dangerous; but super-natural conviction or the Spirit by supernatural conviction dealeth plainly, and discovereth ⟨p. 32⟩the most secret sinns of the soul. 1 Cor: 15.14, 15.
2 Natural conviction is usually dark and weak, without deep affection, because it is a dim light; but super-natural conviction is strong and over-powering and mightily affecting the heart. Acts 2.37. because this is a clear light.
3. Natural conviction if it be sometimes strong and affecting the heart, yet it hurries the soul from God, it made Adam flee into the bushes to hide himself, it sent Saul to the witch, and Judas to the halter. Because natural conscience is but the Serjeant of Divine justice, before whose throne it drags the soul, and so works fear & flight; but supernatural conviction inclines & draws the soul unto God, and to seek after Christ, because it is the fruit of mercy from a merciful Redeemer, from a comforting Spirit.