A12183:183
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.
Therefore,1 where the Spirit of Christ is, there is an independent liberty, a man is independent upon any other man, further then he sees it agrees wi•h the rules of Religion, and he is dependant only upon God▪ and upon divine ⟨p. 202⟩principles and grounds. The Apostle saith, The Spiritual man judgeth all things, and is judged of none: so far as a man is led with the Spirit, he discerns things in the light of the Spirit, he judgeth all things to be as they are, in the light of the Spirit, and is judged of none, his meaning is not, that none will usurp judgement of him, for that they will do, the emptyest men are most rash, and censorious, but he is judged of none aright, it is a fools bolt, but the Spiritual man indeed, passeth a right verdict, upon persons, and things, as far as he is spiritual; And that is the ⟨p. 203⟩reason that carnal men,2 especially hate spiritual men above all things; they hate men that have a natural conscience, that judge according to the light of reason, for that is above any creature, when a man will not say white is black, that good is evil, to please any man in the world, a man that hath a natural conscience will not do this, and this is very distasteful, where men Idolize themselves they love not such, but such as are slaves to them, but much more when a man is spiritual he judgeth all things, and censureth them, and their courses, for he is above all, ⟨p. 204⟩and seeth all beneath him, therefore the greatest men in the world are holy men, they are above all other men,3 and without usurpation, they pass a censure upon the course and state of other men, though they be never so great (howsoever the Image of God is upon them, in regard of their authority, and the like:) yet in their dispositions they are base, and slaves to their corruptions, and to Satan, they are not out of the base rank of nature, Now a man that is a child of God, he is taken into a better condition, and hath a spiritual liberty in him;