A12182:458
Evangelical sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankful commemorations for Gods mercy in our great…Evangelicall sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankfull commemorations for Gods mercy in our great…
Evangelical sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankful commemorations for Gods mercy in our great deliverance from the papists powder-plot. 2. The successful seeker. 3. Faith triumphant. 4. Special preparations to fit us for our latter end in four funeral sermons. 5. The faithful covenanter. 6. The demand of a good conscience. 7. The sword of the wicked. By the late learned and reverend divine, Rich. Sibbs. Doctor in Divinity, Mr. of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher to the honourable society of Gray's-Inn. The third tome. Published and perused by D. Sibbs own appointment, subscribed with his hand to prevent imperfect copies after his decease.Evangelicall sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankfull commemorations for Gods mercy in our great deliverance from the papists powder-plot. 2. The successefull seeker. 3. Faith triumphant. 4. Speciall preparations to fit us for our latter end in foure funerall sermons. 5. The faithfull covenanter. 6. The demand of a good conscience. 7. The sword of the wicked. By the late learned and reverend divine, Rich. Sibbs. Doctor in Divinity, Mr. of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher to the honourable society of Grayes-Inne. The third tome. Published and perused by D. Sibbs owne appointment, subscribed with his hand to prevent imperfect copies after his decease.
London: printed by Thomas for N. Bourne, 1640
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.
By the eye of faith: faith makes things present though in themselves they be far off. It is the nature of faith to make things that are absent to be present to the believing soul, and it affects the soul somewhat as if it were present. We know things work not upon the soul but as present: a danger that is, many years to come, it affects not the soul unless 1it be apprehended as present; nothing affects the soul but as present. Now there are two ways of things being present. One is when the things themselves be present, that is, when we shall be in heaven, and enjoy Christ, and all the joys of heaven; then the things are present themselves. And then there is a presence of faith, when faith apprehends the things promised to us as present; faith makes the things present in some sort, not in all respects: for then faith were all one with vision, and possession: but in regard of certainty they are present, and in regard of sound comfort: therefore God gives other graces, between faith, and possession, to strengthen and enable faith that it do not sink in the work, between faith, and the full possession of the good things we believe, we have patience, and hope, and many other sweet graces; but all dispose the soul comfortably to wait for the accomplishment of the things believed. Now though the presence of faith affect not so much as the presence of sight: yet it doth affect. ⟨p. 219⟩What is the reason that a holy man is so much affected with heavenly things, he feels no more joy many times than a wicked man? It is the nature of faith that so represents them to him, and sets before his eyes the excellency of the things that he sees them as present.
By the eye of faith: faith makes things present though in themselves they be farre off. It is the nature of faith to make things that are absent to be present to the believing soule, and it affects the soule somewhat as if it were present. Wee know things worke not upon the soule but as present: a danger that is, many yeares to come, it affects not the soule unlesse 1it be apprehended as present; nothing affects the soule but as present. Now there are two wayes of things being present. One is when the things themselves be present, that is, when we shall be in heaven, and enjoy Christ, and all the joyes of heaven; then the things are present themselves. And then there is a presence of faith, when faith apprehends the things promised to us as present; faith makes the things present in somesort, not in all respects: for then faith were all one with vision, and possession: but in regard of certainty they are present, and in regard of sound comfort: therefore God gives other graces, betweene faith, and possession, to strengthen and enable faith that it doe not sinke in the worke, between faith, and the full possession of the good things we believe, we have patience, and hope, and many other sweete graces; but all dispose the soule comfortably to waite for the accomplishment of the things beleeved. Now though the presence of faith affect not so much as the presence of sight: yet it doth affect.