A12182:868
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.
Therefore this may teach us who are truly wise. A wise man is he that hath a better end 1then another, and works to that end. A true Christian man, he hath a better end then any worldling, his end is to be safe in another world, and he works and carries his forces to that end. Let my last end be like his, saith Balaam: insinuating that there was a better end, in regard of condition, and state, then he had aimed at. A gracious man, his end is not to 2be happy here; his end is to enjoy everlasting communion with God in the heavens, and he frames all his courses in this world, to accomplish that end, and he is never satisfied in the things that make to that end. A worldling he hath no such end; he hath a natural desire to be saved (as we shall see afterwards) but a man may know that it is not his end: for he works not to it. He is not satisfied in prowling for this world, he is not weary of getting wealth, he is not satisfied with pleasure: so that his end is the things of this life. Therefore let him be never so wise, he is but a fool: for he hath not the true end, nor works to it. Wicked men are very fools, in the manner of their reasoning: for they will grant, that there is a happy estate of godly men in death, and after death better: if it be so, why do they not work, and frame their lives to it? ⟨p. 84⟩Herein they are fools, because they grant one thing, and not another which must needs follow: they do believe there is such a happiness to Gods children, and yet seek not after it.
Therefore this may teach us who are truly wise. A wise man is he that hath a better end 1then another, and works to that end. A true Christian man, he hath a better end then any worldling, his end is to be safe in another world, and hee works and carries his forces to that end. Let my last end be like his, saith Balaam: insinuating that there was a better end, inregard of condition, and state, then he had aymed at. A gracious man, his end is not to 2be happy here; his end is to enjoy everlasting communion with God in the heavens, and hee frames all his courses in this world, to accomplish that end, and he is never satisfied in the things that make to that end. A worldling he hath no such end; he hath a naturall desire to be saved (as wee shall see afterwards) but a man may know that it is not his end: for hee workes not to it. He is not satisfied in prouling for this world, he is not weary of getting wealth, hee is not satisfied with pleasure: so that his end is the things of this life. Therefore let him be never so wise, he is but a foole: for he hath not the true end, nor workes to it. Wicked men are very fooles, in the manner of their reasoning: for they will grant, that there is a happy estate of godly men in death, and after death better: if it be so, why doe they not worke, and frame their lives to it?