A12183:323
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.
First, because we are in a contrary state to grace, §1and to God,1 we are dead, there must be life in us before we come to heaven, we are enemies, and of enemies we must be made friends; how shall we be sit for communion else with God, wherein our happiness stands, without conformity? communion is between friends, before those that are in an opposite condition can be friends, there must be an alteration, and this alteration ⟨p. 341⟩it must be on Gods part, or on our part: Now who must change, God that is unchangeable, or we that are corrupt, and changeable? God will not change, there is no reason he should, he is goodness it self, alway unchangeable, his perfection stands in an indivisible point, he cannot alter a whit, there is not a shadow of change in God, therefore, when there is difference between God and us, the change must be on our part, we must be changed, as it is Rom. 12. and other places, In the Spirit of our minds, we must be wholly moulded anew, where there is a ⟨p. 342⟩condition so opposite, as the frame of our hearts is to God, he being holiness, and we a mass and lump of sin, of necessity there must be a change, God intends in the Gospel to bring us near himself, and Christs end is to bring us to God, as it is 1 Pet. 3. 18. all the Gospel is to bring us back to God from whom we fell, now our nature as I said is defiled, and unholy, and we cannot be friends with God, till there be a likeness in disposition to God, therefore our natures must be suitable to the sweet, and holy, and pure nature of God in some measure. ⟨p. 343⟩We enter into a covenant with God, in the covenant of grace, and how can we maintain the covenant of grace, without some likeness to God and Christ? in that regard of necessity there must be a change,2 and this change must be on our part, as we see in an instrument, those strings that are out of tune, are brought to them that are in, so it is we that must change and alter and not God, God is alway unchangeable like himself in his love, and it is our comfort that he is so unchangeable in his mercy, and holiness, and justice, therefore I say the change must be on our part.