A12183:125
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.
In a wicked man there is nothing but flesh,1 and therefore there is no resistance and we must understand the nature of this Spiritual liberty in sanctification, it is not a liberty freeing us altogether from conflict, and deadness, and dullness, and the like, but it is a liberty enabling us to combat, not freeing us from combat; it is a liberty to fight the battles of the Lord against our own corruptions, not freeing us from it, that is the liberty of glory in heaven, when there shall be no enemy within, or without.
In a wicked man there is nothing but flesh,1 and therefore there is no resistance and we must understand the nature of this Spirituall liberty in sanctification, it is not a liberty freeing us altogether from conflict, and deadnesse, and dulnesse, and the like, but it is a liberty inabling us to combate, not freeing us from combate; it is a liberty to fight the battells of the Lord against our owne corruptions, not freeing us from it, that is the liberty of glory in heaven, when there shall be no enemie within, or without.
- 1Liberty in in Sanctification, to conflict not from it.
Therefore let not Christians be discouraged with ⟨p. 117⟩the backwardness,1 and untowardness of the flesh, to good duties, if we have a principle in us to fight against it, to enable us to fight against our corruptions, and to get good duties out of it, in spite of it, it is an argument of a new nature, God will perfect his own beginnings, and subdue the flesh more and more, by the power of his spirit: We see our blessed Saviour, what a sweet excuse he makes for his Disciples, when they were dead hearted and drowsy, when they should have comforted him in the garden, oh saith he, The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.