N29414:404
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. If this conviction of sin be the first act of the Spirit, what followeth hence in the second place?
Answ. That the Law is first to be preached to sinners & unconverted persons before the Gospel: For, if the Spirit doth first convince the soul of sin, the Law is first to be preached, by which the apostle sayeth we come to the knowledge of sin. Rom 3.20 Not that the Law of it self can convince of sin but as it is an instrument in the hand of the spirit there unto; for if the Gospel reveal nothing but Christs righteousness by faith; then it cannot reveal a mans sin & unrighteousness, and therefore the spirit must ⟨p. 45⟩use the Law as a means thereunto, and hence it is that they who are enemies to the preaching of the Law, are great enemies to Jesus Christ his righteousness. For by conviction of a mans own unrighteousness he comes to feel a need of Christs Righteousness.
Answ. That the Law is first to be preached to sinners & unconverted persons before the Gospell: For, if the Spirit doth first convince the soul of sin, the Law is first to be preached, by which the apostle sayeth wee come to the knowledg of sin. Rom 3.20 Not that the Law of it self can convince of sin but as it is an instrument in the hand of the spirit there unto; for if the Gospel reveal nothing but Christs righteousness by faith; then it cannot reveal a mans sin & unrighteousness, and therefore the spirit must ⟨p. 45⟩use the Law as a means thereunto, and hence it is that they who are enemies to the preaching of the Law, are great enemies to Jesus Christ his righteousnes. For by cōviction of a mans own unrighteousnes he comes to feel a need of Christs Righteousness.