A12183:147
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.
The greatest, and sweetest liberty is, when we have no liberty to sin at all,1 when we cannot sin, it is greater chastity not to have power to resist to be impregnable in continence, and sobriety, when there is such a measure of these graces, as they are not to be overcome, it is greater strength than when they may be prevailed over, so men mistake to think this the greatest liberty to have power to ⟨p. 151⟩good or evil, that is,2 the imperfection of the creature; man was at the first created free to either good or evil of himself, that he might fall of himself, this was not strength, but a thing that followed the creature, that came out of nothing, and that was subject to fall to his own principles again, but to have the soul stablished that it shall not have freedom to ill, it is so stablished in good, it hath the understanding so enlightened, and the will so confirmed and strengthened, that it is without danger of temptation, that is properly glorious liberty, and that is the better endowment ⟨p. 152⟩of both, so that we see it clearly, that grace takes not away liberty, but establisheth it.
The greatest, and sweetest liberty is, when wee have no liberty to sinne at all,1 when we cannot sinne, it is greater chastity not to have power to resist to be impregnable in continence, and sobriety, when there is such a measure of these graces, as they are not to bee overcome, it is greater strength than when they may be prevailed over, so men mistake to thinke this the greatest liberty to have power to ⟨p. 151⟩good or evill, that is,2 the imperfection of the creature; man was at the first created free to either good or evill of himselfe, that he might fall of himselfe, this was not strength, but a thing that followed the creature, that came out of nothing, and that was subject to fall to his owne principles againe, but to have the soule stablished that it shall not have freedome to ill, it is so stablished in good, it hath the understanding so englightned, and the will so conirmed and strengthned, that it is without danger of temptation, that is properly glorious liberty, and that is the better endowment