A12166:748
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.
And so as the good is temporal, they have a reward suitable to their desire, they care for no more: for they believe not Heaven, but in a general notion; It may be there is such things, it may be not: therefore the good they do, is some little petty obedience; and what do they desire? To be well esteemed, and respected; to be venerable, and to have honourable opinions in the hearts of men, that men may stoop in their conceits to them as men of respect. This they deserve indeed, and this they have; God gives them that they would have. But as Christ tells the Pharisees, ⟨p. 13⟩who did excellent good things, but it was to be seen of men, he tells them, they had their reward: they had all they looked for; for they were Atheists, they looked not for Heaven. So a man may say of all men that are out of the state of grace: though they do more then the Devil would have them, and for diverse degrees of that they do, they are not subject to the Devil; yet he taints their actions one way or other in the end, he joins himself in the action first or last, he hath a hand in all their actions. So that notwithstanding there be many good things, yet this hinders not a whit, but that they may be under the power of the Devil: for it is but in reference to civill Government and State, which is but for a time: The fashion of this world passeth away; here will be no Magistrates to govern, nor no people to be governed, ere long.
And so as the good is temporall, they have a reward sutable to their desire, they care for no more: for they beleeve not Heaven, but in a generall notion; It may be there is such things, it may be not: therefore the good they doe, is some little pettie obedience; and what doe they desire? To be well esteemed, and respected; to be venerable, and to have honourable opinions in the hearts of men, that men may stoupe in their conceits to them as men of respect. This they deserve indeed, and this they have; God gives them that they would have. But as Christ tells the Pharises, ⟨p. 13⟩who did excellent good things, but it was to be seene of men, he tells them, they had their reward: they had all they looked for; for they were Atheists, they looked not for Heaven. So a man may say of all men that are out of the state of grace: though they doe more then the Devill would have them, and for diverse degrees of that they doe, they are not subject to the Devill; yet he taints their actions one way or other in the end, he joynes himselfe in the action first or last, he hath a hand in all their actions. So that notwithstanding there be many good things, yet this hinders not a whit, but that they may be under the power of the Devill: for it is but in reference to civill Government and State, which is but for a time: The fashion of this world passeth away; here will be no Magistrates to governe, nor no people to be governed, ere long.