N29414:390
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.
Answ: 1. Because none without this can feel their need of Christ and his righteousness, and seek after him before they have him. For the whole need not a Physician, but the sick Math. 9.12.
2. Because otherwise none would be glad of Christ when he is to be given to them. A condemned man is only glad of pardon; and they only that were pricked at the heart Acts 2.37. gladly received the word of the Gospel. verse 41.
3. Otherwise none would stay with Christ after they had received him As the stony ground sell away Math. 13. because it had not depth of earth (or deep humiliation) if sin was never very bitter, a small temptation to sin would make men easily to forsake Jesus Christ.
Quest. What use are you to make of this doctrine viz: conviction of sin?