A12180:158
Christs exaltation purchasedChrists exaltation purchast
Christs exaltation purchased by humiliation Wherein you may see mercy and misery meet together. Very useful I. For instructing the ignorant. II. For comforting the weak. III. For confirming the strong. By R. Sibbs D.D. and preacher of Gray's-Inn, London. Published by T.G. and P.N.Christs exaltation purchast by humiliation Wherein you may see mercy and misery meete together. Very vsefull I. For instructing the ignorant. II. For comforting the weake. III. For confirming the strong. By R. Sibbs D.D. and preacher of Grayes-Inne, London. Published by T.G. and P.N.
London: printed by Tho. Cotes, 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.
1It is true, In regno nati sumus Deo, &c. we are borne in a Kingdom, and to serve Christ is to reign, for where there is a subordination, it is a prerogative to be under a better: as for the body being baser than the soul, it is for the good of it to be under the soul, because it is more excellent, it hath life, and wisdom, the ⟨p. 154⟩body is a loathsome dead thing of it self: the sheep being a weak simple creature, shiftless, to be guided by a shepherd, who is of a superior nature, and wise to defend it, it is its security and safety, for the Vine that is a weak plant of it self, to have support, it is for the good of it, for man that is in a subordination to a higher nature to God, for him to be under the government of Christ God man, of God in our nature, it is a great honour: as they could say in the Schools, every thing hath its perfection, by being subject to a superior, except the highest of all, which is ⟨p. 155⟩not subordinate, but independent, whatsoever is dependant hath its perfection by dependence, therefore it is an honour that we be under Christ, the greatest honour in the world, especially if we consider what manner of government Christs is, it is a rational government agreeable to our principles: for he guides us as a Prophet, he is not only a King but a Prophet, to teach us, he saith not you shall do this, he stands not upon terms of will, no he is a Prophet to teach us, what we should obey, he convinceth us, and then useth us, that we would not but be ⟨p. 156⟩der such a government: and then when he rules our will, he doth it sweetly, he draws it with the cords of a man as the Prophet speaks, that is, by allurements, he brings us to heaven by way of love and enticements, what greater rewards can there be thought of than those that Christ leads us by, and draws us to subjection by, and therefore he works upon our will sweetly, by persuading us by allurements in that kind.
1It is true, In regno nati sumus Deo, &c. wee are borne in a Kingdome, and to serve Christ is to reigne, for where there is a subordination, it is a prerogative to be under a better: as for the body being baser than the soule, it is for the good of it to be under the soule, because it is more excellent, it hath life, and wisedome, the