A12183:168
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.
Again where this liberty from the Spirit is,1 there is not only a freedom from all gross sins, but likewise a blessed freedom to all duties, an enlargement of heart to duties, Gods people are a voluntary people, those that are under grace,2 they are anointed by the Spirit, and the Spiritual anointment makes them ⟨p. 178⟩nimble, Christian is nothing but anointed; now he that is truly anointed by the Spirit,3 is nimble and quick, and active in that that is good in some degree, and proportion, one use of anointing is to make the members nimble, and agile, and strong, so the Spirit of God is a Spirit of cheerfulness, and strength where it is, therefore those that find some cheerfulness, and strength to perform holy services, to hear the Word, to pray to God, and to perform holy duties, it is a sign that this comes from the Spirit of God, the Spirit sets them at ⟨p. 179⟩this liberty, because otherwise spiritual duties, are as opposite to flesh, and blood, as fire and water. When we are drawn therefore to duties, as a Bear to stake, as we say with foreign motives,4 for fear, or out of custom, with extrinsical motives, and not from a new nature, this is not from the Spirit, this performance is not from the true liberty of the Spirit; for the liberty of the Spirit is, when actions come off naturally without force of f•are or hope, or any extrinsical motive; a child needs not extrinsical motives, to please his father, when he ⟨p. 180⟩knows he is the child of a loving father, it is natural, so there is a new nature in those that have the Spirit of God to stir them up to duty, though Gods motives may help as the sweet encouragements and rewards, but the principal is to do things naturally, not for fear, or for giving content to this or that man.