A12166:243
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.
Every one turns to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
Every one turnes to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battell.
Every one hath his course,1 his way, whether good or evil, the course of a wicked man, it is a smooth way perhaps, but it is a going from God, it leads from him, and where doth it end? (for every way hath its end) It is a going from God to hell, there all the courses of wicked men end. Examine then where thy course begins, and where it ends, from what thou walkest, and to what, whether thy course aim. Consider where thy speeches, and actions are like to end. The specification and denomination of our ways to be good or evil, is especially from the end. The wicked they take their courses, smooth wide courses, the broad beaten way, where they may have elbow-room enough, though it end in Hell, ⟨p. 108⟩and destruction: but the wicked and their ways are both hated of God; otherwise it is with Gods children, they may sometimes step into ill ways, but they have not an ill course, and God doth not judge a man by a step,2 but by his course and way: Therefore consider what is the tenor of thy life, is thy way good? Oh it is an excellent thing to be in a good way! For a man every day to repent of his sins, to make his peace with God, to practise the duties of Christianity in his general calling, and in his particular calling to call upon God for a blessing. Such a mans way is good, it hath a good end. Perhaps he may step out of his way by the temptations of Satan, but that is not his course. The best man in the world for, a passion on the sudden may step into an ill way, as David, when he determined to kill Naball but it was not Davids way, therefore we see how soon he was put off with a little counsel, and how thankful he was. Blessed be the Lord, and blessed be thou, and blessed be thy counsel, &c. his way, and course was another way. And so on the other side the wickedest man in the world may set a step in a good way for a fit, a very Saul may be amongst the Prophets and speak excellently and divinely; but all this while he is out of his way, his way is a course of wickedness, to which therefore he will soon betake himself again, as it is here said of these men, They turned to their own courses,