A12166:973
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.
The fourth is this, though it be true, and good, and good for us; yet before we can come to practise, it must be a good that is comparative, better than other things that are presented, or else no action will follow. A man must be able to say, this is better than that. A weak man that is led with passions, and lusts, he ofttimes sees the truth of things, and sees they are good, and good for me, and wishes that he could take such a course: but such is the strength of his passions at this time that it is better to do thus, it is better to yield to his lusts, and he trusts that God will be merciful, and he shall recover it afterwards. These four things, therefore must be in conviction, before we can take the best course; and these are all here in this holy man: for he saw it was a truth, a duty, and likewise that it was a good truth: for to be near to God the fountain of good, it must needs be good: And then it was good for him to be so: nay it was good, all things considered: for it is a Conclusion (as it were) brought out of the fire, out of a conflict; Nay say the flesh, and say all the world what it can to the contrary, It is good for me to draw near to God, he brings it in as a ⟨p. 151⟩triumphant Conclusion. Put drawing near to God in one balance, and lay in that balance all the inconveniences that may fallow drawing near to God; the displeasure of great ones, the loss of any earthly advantage; and lay in the other balance all the advantages that keep men from drawing near to God: as if a man do not keep a good conscience, he may please this or that man, he may get riches, and advance himself, and better his estate; consider all that can be, yet notwithstanding, it is better to draw near to God, with all the disadvantages that follow that course, than to take the contrary: Thus you see the truth clear, that conviction is the way, and foundation of practice.
The fourth is this, though it be true, and good, and good for us; yet before we can come to practise, it must be a good that is comparative, better than other things that are presented, or else no action will follow. A man must be able to say, this is better than that. A weak man that is led with passions, and lusts, he ofttimes sees the truth of things, and sees they are good, and good for me, and wishes that he could take such a course: but such is the strength of his passions at this time that it is better to do thus, it is better to yeeld to his lusts, and he trusts that God will be mercifull, and he shall recover it afterwards. These foure things, therefore must bee in conviction, before wee can take the best course; and these are all here in this holy man: for he saw it was a truth, a duty, and likewise that it was a good truth: for to bee neare to God the fountaine of good, it must needs be good: And then it was good for him to be so: nay it was good, all things considered: for it is a Conclusion (as it were) brought out of the fire, out of a conflict; Nay say the flesh, and say all the world what it can to the contrary, It is good for me to draw neare to God, he brings it in as a