N29414:331
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.
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.
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 soule, and so workes feare & flight; but supernatural conviction inclines & drawes the soul unto God, and to seek after Christ, because it is the fruit of mercy from a mercifull Redeemer, from a comforting Spirit.
Quest. Why doth the Spirit undertake this work to convince of sin?