A12166:218
Beams of divine light breaking forth from several places of holy Scripture, as they…Beames of divine light breaking forth from severall places of holy Scripture, as they…
Beams of divine light breaking forth from several places of holy Scripture, as they were learnedly opened, in XXI. sermons. The III. first being the fore-going sermons to that treatise called The bruised-reed, preached on the precedent words. By the late reverend and judicious divine, Richard Sibs, D.D. Mr. of Katharine Hall in Camb: and sometimes preacher at Gray's Inn. Published according to the Doctor his own appointment subscribed with his hand; to prevent imperfect copies.Beames of divine light breaking forth from severall places of holy Scripture, as they were learnedly opened, in XXI. sermons. The III. first being the fore-going sermons to that treatise called The bruised-reed, preached on the precedent words. By the late reverend and iudicious divine, Richard Sibs, D.D. Mr. of Katharine Hall in Camb: and sometimes preacher at Grayes Inne. Published according to the Doctor his owne appointment subscribed with his hand; to prevent imperfect coppies.
London: printed by George for N. Bourne, 1639
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.
Now that we may do this,1 we must be convinced thoroughly that the courses we live in, are unprofitable, dangerous, hateful courses, and that the contrary state is better: For repentance is an after-wit, and man being a reasonable creature, will turn from his way except he see great reason why; therefore there must be sound conviction that it is a bitter thing to offend God;2 we must indeed be convinced by the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of God usually takes the benefit of affliction, affliction together with instruction, instruction without affliction will do little good: stripes and the Word must go together else we will not give God the hearing as we should. ⟨p. 90⟩Therefore that we may be soundly convinced of our sins, we should desire God especially in the hour of affliction to help our souls by his Spirit, that we may be convinced that our courses are naught, that they are courses dishonourable to God,3 and dangerous to our selves, that sin defiles our souls, that it hinders our communion with God, which is the sweetest thing in the world, that sin puts a sting into all our troubles; that sin makes us afraid of that that should be comfortable to us, of death and judgement, and Gods presence; that sin grieves the good Spirit of God that would take up his lodging in us; that it quencheth the motions of the Spirit that are sent as sweet messengers to us, to allure and comfort us: that sin grieves the good Spirit of God in others, that it grieves the good Angels that are about us, that it gratifies none but the Devil, the enemy of our salvation, that it defiles and stains our souls, wherein the Image of God should shine, that it doth us more harm then all the things in the world besides (indeed nothing hurts us but sin, because nothing but sin separates us from God) that it shuts Heaven and opens Hell, and so makes us afraid of death, least death should open the gate to let us into Hell, in a word that it hinders all good, and is the cause of all ill; Let us consider of this and work it on our hearts.
Novv that vve may doe this,1