N29414:393
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.
Quest. What use are you to make of this doctrine viz: conviction of sin?
Answ. I learn hence, that the first work of the Spirit upon the soul, is not that mystical Union which is between Christ & the soul (as some think) Christ doth not first unite himself to the soul, and then it is convinced of sin and humbled for sin, and then believeth in Christ, but the soul is convinced of sin before this union; for if the Spirit first convinceth the soul of sin because it believeth not in Christ, and consequently because it hath no part in Christ by any union to him; then the Spirit doth not first unite the soul & Christ together, and afterward convinceth it of sin. He that is united to Christ is in actual favour with God, but he that believeth not is out of favour, condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3.18. Chap 3.36. if therefore the Spirit first convinceth the soul ⟨p. 42⟩of sin because it believeth not in Christ, then because it is out of favour with God, condemned already abiding under the wrath of God, and consequently not as yet united to Christ.
Answ. I learn hence, that the first work of the Spirit upon the soul, is not that mystical Union which is between Christ & the soul (as some think) Christ doth not first unite himself to the soul, and then it is convinced of sin and humbled for sin, and then believeth in Christ, but the soul is convinced of sin before this union; for if the Spirit first convinceth the soul of sin because it believeth not in Christ, and consequently because it hath no part in Christ by any union to him; then the Spirit doth not first unite the soul & Christ together, and afterward convinceth it of sin. He that is united to Christ is in actuall favour with God, but he that believeth not is out of favour, condemned allready, and the wrath of God abideth on him. Iohn 3.18. Chap 3.36. if therefore the Spirit first convinceth the soul ⟨p. 42⟩