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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	evil_a	good_a	know_v	2,974	5	4.2147	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A93085	Subjection to Christ in all his ordinances, and appointments, the best means to preserve our liberty. Together with a treatise of ineffectual hearing the word; how we may know whether we have heard the same effectually: and by what means it may be come effectual unto us. With some remarkable passages of his life. By Tho. Shephard, late pastor of the Church of Christ in Cambridge in New-England. Now published by Mr. Jonathan Michell pastor of the said church in New England.	Shepard, Thomas, 1605-1649.; Mitchel, Jonathan, 1624-1668.	1652 (1652)	Wing S3141; Thomason E1245_2; ESTC R209199	106,113	223

into an Angel of light and speak and by their light will blinde them that the light in them shall be darknesse Rom. 1.22 When men with natural light began to be most wise then they became came the greatest fooles so 't is with other knowledge of Scripture and things they heare Happy were it for many a man if he had never heard nor seen Rev 12.9 Rom. 1.22 for that which he hath heard and seen keeps him from hearing Tyre and Sidon would hear sooner then Capernaum that heard most Reas 3. Reas 3 From the righteous judgement of God in leaving men to be blinded and made deaf from and by the means whereby they should hear and know that as it is with the Saints all evil things are for their good so all good things are for their hurt Isa 6.10 the meriting cause is unbelief and sin but the deep and hidden rise of all is Gods eternal dereliction of them God never intended love special love to them hence he never speaks one word to them 2 Cor. 4.3 John 6.65 Many were offended at his words and forsook him Now to take off this offence I said None can come to me except it be given him of the Father what is that see vers 45. and 37. Vse 1. Vse 1 Hence see the reason why the Word is so wonderfully ineffectual to the soules of many men that it never stirs them that it 's a strange thing to them it 's Heb. 12.19 like the law a voice of words a sound of words so they hear men spake but understand no more then if they speak in a strange language or if they do it concernes not them or if it stirs 't is but as the blowing of the winde upon a rock which blusters for a time but when the winde is down they are still Truly they hear the word spoken but they do not hear God speaking They heard Latimer speak but not God speaking they hear a sound which every one sayes and they think is the word but they hear not God speaking it One would wonder that those Jewes that heard John and his disciples Moses and the Prophets nay Gods voice from heaven saying This is my sonne that they should not hear this and receive him with all their hearts but they did not hear his voice One would wonder to see that such things which a gracious heart thinks this would draw every heart yet remaine not stir'd things which the devils tremble at and others which Angels wonder at yet they hear not Oh they hear not God speak they are dead in their graves farre from God and there they are kept by the mighty power of Satan like one in a deep dark cave kept by fiery dragons under the ground and the tombstone is laid upon them If Christ spake he would make the dead to heare and the blinde to see Vse 2. Vse 2 Hence see why the Saints finde such changes and alterations in themselves when they come to heare sometimes their hearts are quickned fed and cherished healed and comforted relieved and visited sometime again dead and senselesse heavy and hardned Mark 8.17 18 21. How is it ye do not under stand Nay which is more that the same truth which they hear at one time should affect them and at another time doth not the same thing which they have heard a hundred times and never stir'd them at last should The reason is they heard the Word of God spoken at one time but not God speaking and they heard the Lord speaking that same Word at another time the Lord is in his Word at one time the Word goes alone at another time as in Eliab the Lord was not in the whirlwinde but he spake in the still voice and hence there he was to Elijah Luke 24 25. with 32. not that you are to lay blame on the Lord for he blows where he listeth but to make us see 't is not in outward meanes nor 't is not in our own spirits to quicken our selves and to make us ashamed of our own darknesse that when he speaks yet we cannot hear there is so much power of spiritual death and Satan yet within us only out of his pity he speaks sometimes not that you should despise the outward word No no the Lord is there shining in Perfection of glory and that which doth thee no good the Lord makes powerful to some others But prize the Spirit of God in that Word which alone can speak to thee Vse 3. Vse 3 Of dread and terrour to all unregenerate men Hence see the heavy wrath of God against them they have indeed the Scriptures and the precious Word of God dispensed to them but the Lord never speaks one word unto them If any one from whom we expect and look for love passe by us and never speak What not speak a word and we call to him and he will not speak we conclude he is angry and displeased with us You look for love do you not you that heare every Sabbath and come to Lectures and you must out t is well yes you will say His love is better then life and frownes more bitter then death Love wo to me if the Lord do not love me better never been born I hope he loves me Happy I if the mountains might fall on me to crush me in pieces if he loves me not c. but consider if he loves he will then speak peace unspeakable to thy conscience when humbled life to thy heart joy in the Holy Ghost Isa 57.19 John 6.63 1 Thes 1.6 but look upon thy soul and see this day in the sight of God whether ever the Lord spake one word to thee outwardly indeed he hath but not inwardly inwardly also but not effectually to turn them from darknesse to light and the power of Satan to God c. The voice of God is full of Majesty it shakes the heart 't is full of life it quickens the dead and light and peace and gives wisdom to the simple Ps 119. Opening of thy word gives light to the eyes How many women ever learning and never knowing and many men learning and knowing what is said but never heare God speak Then know the wrath of the Lord see and go home mourning under it There is a fourefold wrath in this 1. 'T is the Lords sore wrath and displeasure Zach. 1.2 with ver 4. If one should expect love from another to do much for him and be did not it may be he would not take it as a signe of displeasure but if he will not do a small thing not speak a word to him oh this is bitter what will not the Lord speak a word not one word especially when thy life lies on it thy soule lies on it eternity lies on it especially the Lord that is so merciful and pitiful this is a signe of fore anger 2. 'T is a token of Gods old displeasure eternal displeasure I know you cannot heare hence though

is better then to be curb'd in But let the Lord strike an arrow in the heart of these wilde bucks that have broke parke and pale send affliction and an Iron yoke of sorrow upon them or distresse of conscience if there be any sense and feeling left they will bemoan themselves and say I did think my liberty sweet but now I see 't is bitter in a sinful way and the Lords way was most sweet by their own confession Hence Psal 2.3 Let us break their bands c. But Oh now hence learn this truth and digest it throughly that the greatest liberty lies here do not in thy judgement think Christian liberty lies in being freed from the law as a rule of obedience in respect of the matter of it to be done nor in thy practise but know though thou didst meet with a thousand Sorrows with it and griefs yet 't is sweet Christs yoke Mat. 11.30 is easie and his burthen light What When not a hole to hide his head in when a reproach of men a worme no man when be boare the Fathers wrath Yes when he was meek under it not mine but thy will be done it was then most sweet 1 Kings 9.21 22. To be a servant to Solomon is no bondage Psalm 119 32. I will runne when thou shalt inlarge my heart Vse 2. Vse 2 Hence see the reason why the Lord hath deprived his Churches of their liberty and his government over them at sundry times and hath put them under Iron yokes and bonds and sore pressures the reason is shewn they have either openly or more secretly cast off the government of the Lord here hath been the very wound the aile of all Churches famous and glorious Psal 81.14 Oh that they had hearkened I should then soon have subdued their enemies The cause is not so hard to finde to a discerning spirit who is privy in any measure to the councels of God 1 King 9.8 9. Solomon hath a promise that the Lords eyes and heart shall be to his people which are under him but if once they slip the Coller then wo and why Because they forsook the Lord that brought them out of Egypt they had liberty but they cast it off What do you think was the moving cause of all those bloody persecutions when the blood of dogs was more precious then of Christian Churches were not they godly yes I do not doubt of it but as it was here though humbled they must be in bondage because they had cast off the government of the Lord Jesus And hence in the Apostles time evil times were come sad apostasies from the truth and because it was long before they were low enough And hence Revel 6. till the fifth seal was opened no crying as it was with Israel in bondage no prayer to purpose and because the Lord saw they would abuse all liberties if they had them And hence in Constantines time when peace came in contention came with it and so abused all that their peace was their poyson And hence in the primitive Churches they began to cast off the government of the Lord Jesus murmurings there were hence came persecution but they were a precious people and made blessed use of it And the Lord couples their chief persecution with their rest And 't is said Acts 9.31 Then had the Churches rest c. And what do you think of the reason of the long reign of Antichrist exalting himself above God and all that 's called God bringing the Church under the heaviest bondage for body and soul that ever the earth saw Men did not love the truth either speculative to guide their minds or practical to rule their wils and hence left to this day What is the cause of Bleeding Germanies wo Oh poor Germany Whence the Gospel first brake out in its full strength that now 't is a field of blood that men in woods like satyres are afraid of men and men in cities glad to eat the intrailes of Beasts and sometimes the flesh of their own babes to preserve their lives What was there no evil but the common condition of the Church to be under the crosse ask them they cannot tell what ailes them but curse the Emperour and Swedes c. Oh think of it with sorrow in secret for them that know it not themselves they have secretly I say secretly cast off the government of a merciful Christ and hence are under the hand of unmerciful men What is the cause in our native countrey notwithstanding all prayers and tears no deliverance truly men do not know it but the Lord sees it they know not how to use their liberty And for our selves what shall I say I cannot but blesse God and wonder to see how 't is with many and rejoyce to see many precious holy ones to whom one day in Gods court is sweeter then a thousand elsewhere but I must professe and cannot but mourne for others men that were eminent under bondage but never worse then here as if the Lord should say Look here be your eminent ones look and feare and mourn you ministers of my house here be the people you had thought had been converted and that of all others such a one would never a fallen so one an opinion takes him another a lot another loose company another his lust another growes proud another fierce another murmuring what should I name al Oh that my words might be healing c. Vse 3. Vse 3 Hence see what will become of us that are now under the government of the Lord if ever we cast it off either inward or outward or both We are not dearer to him then his people Israel here nay Judah When old Israel the great and numerous tribes of Israel had set up calves little Judah and Benjamin received the Priests and yet they fell and were in bondage I know we are not yet in bondage yet it is not more unseasonable to speake now then for the Lord to Solomon 1 King 9.1 Quest Quest But there being much unsubduednes in the hearts of the best how shall one know when there be such sinnes for which the Lord will cast from under his government Answer 1. Answ 1 When men do not loath their own hearts for their unprofitablenesse but loath Gods ordinances secretly and grow weary of them as of their burdens because of the unprofitablenesse of them When a people finde not that special good by them which recompenceth all losses and so prize them but lay blame on them because unfruitful to them Malachie 3.13 He speaks to a people got out of Captivity Your words have been stout against me no say they 'T is in vaine to serve the Lord what profit is there in this you must conceive they had many losses were very poor as vers 11. a temptation which a proud heart cannot indure above any here is now no profit in mourning fasting c. and Gods own people began to think so and hence

hath been a root of greatest scandal that ever Gods wayes had If Elders sin openly 't is another case and somewhat also is there to be done Submit your selves one to another much more to an Elder c. 3. In the execution of their office according to Christ they are over the whole Church Their persons indeed are under them in case they sin and sin in the execution of their office they are to be subject not only to the whole but to the least Member of the Church Suppose the sin be not only suspected or reported or apprehended by one but two or three witnesses at least as 1 Tim. 5.19 but whiles they execute it according to Christ they are therein above the Church and 't is bound to be subject therein and not to be subject is to refuse to be under Christs government Hence Heb. 13. Obey them that rule you he speaks to the whole Church which was not in evil but in good things according to God and yet in evil things look on them as those over them Exempli gratiâ A Minister in the execution of his office let him preach Christs eternal truth deliver it and prove it What ever humane weaknesses there be in him what ever darknesse there is in others yet he is therein above Churches Kings or Angels and they shall answer it at the great day that do not submit In regard of my person said Luther I 'le fall down before any but in regard of the truth I administer I look on the Kings of the earth as nits nay dust c. ad Regem Angl. So in the power of the Keys in opening and shutting out Members they have tried and proved such a one if they sin as they may then give them reasons but if not they are bound to submit And that not as unto other Christians but as unto an Ordinance stampt with an authority of God upon them indeed they are not to do any such thing without the presence consent and judiciary power of the Church and the Church may not submit to what Elders propose to be Christs minde but then they cast off the Lords power which they are to answer for another day 1 Cor. 12 28. they are called Governours Now as a Ruler of a Ship is to order it though a King be in it over him in that respect and the King is to be guided by him whiles he guides it right but if not the King hath power over him to command others to take the place or cast him overboard 'T is true they are but servants to the Church because they are by the Church for the Church and to help the Church 2 Cor. 1.24 and are subject to them if they sinne but yet they are servants unto Christ and in exercising his power according to him above the Church 2 Cor. 4.5 We preach Christ and our selves your servants for Christ yet therein above them Hence being their servants if they sin they are under the censure of the Church and the Church may cast them by So being Christs servants if not submitted to the Lord doth account himself cast off 1. Because their power thus rightly executed is the power of Christ Jesus Hence refuse it you refuse to be subject to him If men will not be ruled by Gods Ordinances but will rule Ordinances they go about to rule Christ 2. Because if there shall be no subjection here 't is profest licentiousnesse and not liberty in Churches You have liberty but what liberty to be subject to Christs power is pure liberty and that in his servants Now when men will not and shall refuse without shewing reason or convicting Elders of sin this is to cast off the Government of Christ 3. Elders are helpers of people and there is no people but will stand in need of such helps if humble and able to discerne to attend the publick good to teach and convince c. Hence when there is no sin appearing in the execution of their office they should with a holy fear submit and say If ye be faithful watchmen what am I that I should be unsatisfied my ignorance may mislead others c. 4. They have power to over-see when they see cause Acts 20.28 and to see into and enquire into the estate of the flock of God to know their spirituall condition so far as is fit to be known that so they may be comforted in the work of Christ though there be no sin break out nor they come to them 1 Thes 3.5 6. The Apostle enquired into their faith charity and prayer vers 7. and hence was comforted c. And this Paul doth not as an extraordinary man but leaves his example as a president to the Elders of Ephesus to go from house to house and enquire to teach and exhort Acts 20. for Elders are to prevent scandals as well as to remove them lest when they come they say Oh that I had known this before especially where they see need Now hence it is that men cast off the government of Christ when they will not have their spiritual condition searched into the Elders foot is now too great for his shoe I am to give an account to God so are they also of thee now thou canst not give it if thou enquirest not how thy condition stands neither can they with comfort unlesse thou tellest them how it stands with thee 'T is true there are many secret things they can never finde out yet they are to attend their duty The Ministers charge is to cast the seed the Elders duty is to enquire after the fruit in the husbandry of Christ it is a sad condition when a man hath such a wound that he will not go to the Lord for help because he loves it and will not have man to know it because he is ashamed of it But you shall know it at the last day that the. Lord would have healed you and you would not but can quarrel and snap at the Elders when they come to enquire of your condition and why do ye inquire you take too much on you 5. They have power to guide and counsel and warne the Church at least in all weighty affaires which may concerne them and their common good hence they are called guides and leaders to the people Heb. 13.17 Mal. 2.7 I do not mean in all personal things Acts 20.31 I warned you of wolves c. Hence 1. For members in matters of great and weighty affaires which concerne the good of the whole Church nay all Churches never to enquire at Abel is casting off the Lord as in election of Offices in Church and Magistrates in the Common-wealth c. 2. Hence to receive any opinion different from all the Elders in the Church and never so much as speak much lesse come to a sad debate about it is to cast off this yoke and contrary to covenant and Elders would never have undertooke the care of the Church without it and

one Hence it must fall but for the other hence it shall rise by its fall Hence set your selves against this 't is to oppose the power of Christ Jesus And hence in Henry the 8th time the Abbies fell and never could rise to this day but the sixe Articles against the Saints pursued with blood made them increase the more 3. When men will not submit to the wholesome Lawes of Magistrates which are either fundamental and continuing or Orders that have their date and time of expiring made for common good When men will either have no awes or as good as none or submit to none but what they please Deut. 17.12 He that will not hearken but do presumptuously shall dye He being the Minister of the Lord and indeed it is to call off the Lord. I go not about here to establish a sovereigne power in Magistrates which is proper to God to make what lawes they will about civil Religious or indifferent things and then people to submit to them for no other reason but because of their will under which notion sup●rstition in Churches hath been ushered and maintained you must obey authority in that case it 's better to suffer then to sin and not to do then do But I suppose the lawes just righteous holy and for publick good and that apparently so and not in saying so only Now here to cast off lawes is to cast off Christ There are two things especially which are the cause and occasion of the breach of all other lawes and the strongest sins and sweetest which men young men especially the hopes of the Common-wealth are catcht with Prov. 2.13 16. 1. Whoredome secret lusts and wantonnesse and other strange lusts which I cease and dare not name 1 Kings 14.24 The sin before Shishah came a sin which many times Salomon cannot see thorow his win dow nor the eye of authority discerne but God will judge for it Heb. 13.5 and if he be Judge who shall be thy Jailor but Satan and what shall be thy sentence but death and what thy chaines but a hard heart for the present and horrour afterward A sin which pollutes the very earth the land the very dust of the ground and the cause of all sin almost in a place as drunknnesse idlenesse corrupt opinions scoffing at the Ministers of God and wayes of God For I seldome knew a persecutor but he was an adulterer though it 's not alwayes true and in the end poverty and mine And know it though no mans eye has seen thee no power of Magistrate can reach thee this word shall be fire to consume thee unlesse thou repent for thy looks thy lusts thy dalliances thy thoughts thy speeches thy endeavours this way much more for the thing Mans law shall not binde you here because it cannot reach you but know that Christ is cast off by you 2. Loose company vain men Prov. 25.3 4. A Common-wealth is a refined vessell of use for God and judgement is established when these are taken away your knots of loose company Take a poor souldier alone he is as other men but when they are got into a knot together now they grow strong against all lawes of God or men So here the knot of good fellowship hath been the bane of the flourishing Stale of England meeting in Tavernes and such places and the cause of whoredome and of all evil commonly in a Nation For hence 1. Much precious time is lost which if spent in praying as in sporting with them many a young mans soul had been blessed Hence sometimes dicing feasting excessive drinking merry tales which take off all spiritual joy Hence filthy songs and lascivious speeches by which hopefull young men are insnared and taught to do wickedly and so knit to them that it's death to part with them and it 's better to burne a whole town then to poyson one hopefull young man Next to communion with wanton women I have ever looked on unnecessary fellowship with gracelesse men as the next Well know it you cast off the Lords government from you by his servants which will be sad to answer for another day And as the Prophet said to Jehosaphat Shouldest thou love them that hate the Lord his wrath is against thee for this So say I to thee Quest 3. Quest 3 Inferiour power when is that cast off viz. in particular Cities or Townes by meaner persons Answ I shall expresse it in three things chiefly Answ 1. When Souldiers in particular Townes cast off respect care conscience to the commands of their leaders set over them of God and who under God are the walls of outward safety for the countrey 't is not now an artillery day only I must speak a word because it 's a thing of moment and matter of great conscience with me I suppose in such a place at least according to the Centurions example amongst Heathens Mat. 8.9 a word of a Commander to any of them should be a law I say to one Go he goes Now for men to come when they list to those meetings and so time is lost and when they do come no care I had almost said conscience to minde their work in hand and do it with all their might as it to which they are called but Officers may speak charge cry yea strike sometimes yet heed not its intolerable but that Members of Churches which should be examples to others should do this at least it is but brutishnesse But I do wonder what rules of Conscience such do walk by and if they do where is their tendernesse to withdraw their shoulders from under the work which if there be but English blood in a Christian he will endeavour to be perfect in his Art herein but if grace much more that he may make one stone in the wall and be fit to shed his blood if need be for the defence of Christs servants Churches and cause of God 2. When any Town dost cast off the power and rule of Townsmen set by the supreme Magistrate to make such orders as may make for the publick weal thereof I know sometimes men may not be so able wise and carry matterrs imprudently Town-orders may also sometimes want that weight that wisdome those cautions that mature consideration as is meet as also that due and prudent publication that all may know of them with records of them But take Town-orders that be deliberately made prudently published for the publick peace profit comfort of the place to oppose these or persons that make these with much care fear tendernesse If I know any thing is a sin of a crying nature provoking God and casting off his government I confesse if there be not care here I know no way of living under any government of Church or Common-wealth if the publick affaires of the Town be cast off I know sometimes godly and dear to Christ may through weaknesse want of light sudden passion and violent tentation oppose here but I am perwsaded