A12183:118
The excellency of the Gospel above the law Wherein the liberty of the sons…The excellencie of the Gospell above the law Wherein the liberty of the sonnes…
The excellency of the Gospel above the law Wherein the liberty of the sons of God is showed. With the image of their graces here, and glory hereafter. Which affords much comfort and great encouragement, to all such as begin timely, and continue constantly in the ways of God. By R. Sibbs, D.D. Mr. of Katherin Hall Cambridge, and preacher of Gray's-Inn, London. Begun in his life time, and published by T.G. and P.N.The excellencie of the Gospell above the law Wherein the liberty of the sonnes of God is shewed. With the image of their graces here, and glory hereafter. Which affords much comfort and great incouragement, to all such as begin timely, and continue constantly in the wayes of God. By R. Sibbs, D.D. Mr. of Katherin Hall Cambridge, and preacher of Grayes-Inne, London. Begun in his life time, and published by T.G. and P.N.
London: printed by Tho. Cotes and John Dawson, 1639
Excellency of the GOSPEL above the LAW. › PartExcellency of the GOSPEL above the LAVV. › Part
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.
Answ. It is true, Christ is our righteousness, but what is that to us except we have something to put it on?1 except we be united to Christ what good have we by Christ, if Christ be not ours? if there be not a spiritual marriage, what benefit have we by him, if we have not him to pay our debt, for his riches to be ours, and our debt to be his, there must be a union first. Now this union is wrought by the Spirit, it is begun in effectual calling, from this union there comes to be a change, his righteousness is mine, as if I had obeyed, and done it by my self, and my ⟨p. 104⟩debts, and sins are his, this is by the Spirit, because the union between Christ and me is by the Spirit: for whatsoever Christ hath done; it is nothing to me till there be a Union, and then freedom is by the Spirit likewise, because the Spirit of God works faith in me, not only to unite and knit me to Christ,2 but faith to persuade me, that Christ is mine, and that all his is mine, and that my debts are his; this supernatural hand of faith the Spirit works, to lay hold upon Christ, and then to persuade me; for the Spirit is a lightsome thing, and together with the graces it ⟨p. 105⟩tells me the graces it works: As reason, besides reason, it tells me that I use reason when I do, it hath a reflex act, so the Spirit of Christ, it hath a reflex act upon it self, for being above reason, it doth not only lay hold upon Christ, it doth not only do the work, but it tells me that I do so when I do; therefore it not only tells me that Christ is mine, when I believe, but it assures me that I do believe, it carries a light of its own; I know the light by the light, and reason by reason, and faith by faith, together with the reflex act joining with it; so that the ⟨p. 106⟩reflect act joining with it, so that the Spirit is the cause of liberty in justification in that respect, as it is a means of union, whereupon there is a passage of all that is Christs to be mine, and mine to be Christs: and likewise it assures me that I do believe, when I do believe without error, for the Spirit is given me to know the things that I have by Christ, not only to know the privileges by Christ, but the graces of Christ.