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.
Richard Sibbes 1577–1635London: printed by Tho. Cotes and John Dawson, 1639
[20], 650, [2] p. · 71k words · STC 22492 · ESTC S117300
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.
When once we believe in Christ, we are graft into the similitude of his death, and into the likeness of his resurrection; it is a point somewhat mystical, yet it is stood upon in the Scriptures, in Rom. 6. especially at large.
When once we beleeve in Christ, we are graft into the similitude of his death, and into the likenesse of his resurrection; it is a point somewhat misticall, yet it is stood upon in the Scriptures, in Rom. 6. especially at large.
How come we to dye to sin, by virtue of Christs death? and to live to righteousness by the ⟨p. 392⟩fellowship of Christs resurrection? it is said we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, the phrases of Scripture show it, but to stand upon these phrases a little.
How come we to dye to sinne, by vertue of Christs death? and to live to righteousnesse by the ⟨p. 392⟩fellowship of Christs resurrection? it is sayd we are transformed into the likenesse of Christ, the phrases of Scripture shew it, but to stand upon these phrases a little.
when Christ dyed, whole Christ dyed, and was crucified, but yet the death it self, the crucifying was terminate, in the humane nature, the humane nature dyed, and not the Godhead, yet by reason of the union, whole Christ dyed, and was Crucified, the Lord of glory was crucified, as the Scripture speaks, and as it was in Christ natural, so it is in Christ
⟨p. 393⟩
mystical, whole Christ mystical was crucified, whole Christ mystical is risen again, notwithstanding the crucifying was terminate in Christ the head, not in the members as his death was terminate in his humane nature it ended, and was confined in that, so this crucifying belonged to the head, and the head rose, yet whole Christ, all believers as soon as they are one with Christ, by reason of the mystical union, they are dead and crucified in Christ their head, and risen and sit in heavenly places, in Christ their head, so then a true believer, when he is made one
⟨p. 394⟩
with Christ, he reasons thus, my corruption of nature, this pride of heart that naturally I have, this enmity of goodness, this is crucified, for I am one with Christ, when he dyed I in my head did dye, and this pride and covetousness, and worldliness, this base and filthy carnal disposition, was crucified in Christ my head, I in my head was crucified, and I in my head now am risen, and sit in heaven, therefore now I am in some sort glorious, therefore I mind things above in my head, and therefore because of the necessary conformity of the members to the
⟨p. 395⟩
head, therefore I must more and more dye to sin, be crucified to sin, and rise by the Spirit of Christ, and ascend with him, the more I know, and consider, and meditate of this, the more I am transformed into the likeness of his death and resurrection; but to go a little further.
Beloved as it was in Christs owne person,1 when Christ dyed, whole Christ dyed, and was crucified, but yet the death it selfe, the crucifying was terminate, in the humane nature, the humane nature dyed, and not the Godhead, yet by reason of the union, whole Christ dyed, and was Crucified, the Lord of glory was crucified, as the Scripture speaks, and as it was in Christ naturall, so it is in Christ ⟨p. 393⟩misticall, whole Christ misticall was crucified, whole Christ misticall is risen againe, notwithstanding the crucifying was terminate in Christ the head, not in the members as his death was terminate in his humane nature it ended, and was confined in that, so this crucifying belonged to the head, and the head rose, yet whole Christ, all beleevers as soone as they are one with Christ, by reason of the misticall union, they are dead and crucified in Christ their head, and risen and sit in heavenly places, in Christ their head, so then a true beleever, when he is made one ⟨p. 394⟩with Christ, he reasons thus, my corruption of nature, this pride of heart that naturally I have, this enmity of goodnesse, this is crucified, for I am one with Christ, when he dyed I in my head did dye, and this pride and covetousnesse, and worldlinesse, this base and filthy carnall disposition, was crucified in Christ my head, I in my head was crucified, and I in my head now am risen, and sit in heaven, therefore now I am in some sort glorious, therefore I minde things above in my head, and therefore because of the necessary conformity of the members to the ⟨p. 395⟩head, therefore I must more and more dye to sinne, be crucified to sinne, and rise by the Spirit of Christ, and ascend with him, the more I know, and consider, and meditate of this, the more I am transformed into the likenesse of his death and resurrection; but to goe a little further.
And wonderful holiness and love of grace, he showed his hatred of sin, that he would shed his heart blood for it, and wanting the glory of God as it were, by feeling the wrath of God for a time, even in hatred to sin.
And wonderfull holinesse and love of grace, he shewed his hatred of sinne, that hee would shed his heart blood for it, and wanting the glory of God as it were, by feeling the wrath of God for a time, even in hatred to sinne.
There were these two affections pregnant in Christ upon the cross, wondrous love for us to dye for us, and wondrous hatred of sin to purge it, for which he dyed, and wondrous holiness from whence hatred of sin came;1 whence doth hatred of sin come but from wonderful purity, ⟨p. 397⟩and holiness, that cannot endure sin. Thus when the soul considers it is one with Christ, it hath the same affections that Christ had, Christ in love to us dyed, can I apprehend that love of Christ when he dyed, and was crucified, and tormented for my sin, but out of love, I must hate sin again? And when I consider how Christ stood affected to sin upon the cross, when he dyed to purge it, and to satisfy for i•, c•n I have other affections, being one with him, then he had upon the cross? I cannot, so whether I consider his love to me, or the hatred he bore ⟨p. 398⟩to sin, considering my self one with him, by a mystical union, I shall have the same affection of love to him, and be like him every way, to love what he loves, and to hate what he hates.
There were these two affections pregnant in Christ upon the crosse, wondrous love for us to dye for us, and wondrous hatred of sinne to purge it, for which he dyed, and wondrous holinesse from whence hatred of sinne came;1 whence doth hatred of sinne come but from wonderfull purity, ⟨p. 397⟩and holiness, that cannot indure sinne. Thus when the soule considers it is one with Christ, it hath the same affections that Christ had, Christ in love to us dyed, can I apprehend that love of Christ when hee dyed, and was crucified, and tormented for my sinne, but out of love, I must hate sinne againe? And when I consider how Christ stood affected to sinne upon the crosse, when hee dyed to purge it, and to satisfie for i•, c•n I have other affections, being one with him, then hee had upon the crosse? I cannot, so whether I consider his love to me, or the hatred he bore ⟨p. 398⟩to sinne, considering my selfe one with him, by a mysticall union, I shall have the same affection of love to him, and bee like him every way, to love what hee loves, and to hate what hee hates.
1Whence hatred of sin proceeds.Whence hatred of sinne proceedes.
I cannot but hate sin, and hating sin, I must act his part anew, that is, as he dyed for sin, so I dye to sin, as he was crucified for it, so it is crucified in me, as he was pierced, so he gives corruption a stab in me, as he was buried, so my corruption is buried, and as he dyed once never to dye again, so I follow my sins to the grave, to death, and ⟨p. 399⟩consumption of old Adam, that he never riseth again, so I say, the consideration of my union with Christ, that I in Christ did dye, and was crucified, because my head dyed, and was crucified. And then it puts that affection into me that was in Christ, and makes me act Christs part, to dye to sin daily more and more, these, & the like thoughts are stirred up in a christian, which Saint Paul aims at, in Rom. 6. and other places.
I cannot but hate sinne, and hating sinne, I must act his part anew, that is, as he dyed for sinne, so I dye to sinne, as hee was crucified for it, so it is crucified in me, as he was peirced, so hee gives corruption a stabbe in me, as hee was buryed, so my corruption is buryed, and as he dyed once never to dye againe, so I follow my sinnes to the grave, to death, and ⟨p. 399⟩consumption of old Adam, that hee never riseth againe, so I say, the consideration of my union with Christ, that I in Christ did dye, and was crucified, because my head dyed, and was crucified. And then it puts that affection into mee that was in Christ, and makes me act Christs part, to dye to sin daily more and more, these, & the like thoughts are stirred up in a christian, which Saint Paul aimes at, in Rom. 6. and other places.
So by the virtue of his resurrection, I am conformable more and more, to the graces in him, for as the power of Gods Spirit ⟨p. 400⟩raised him up, when he was at the lowest, when he had been three days in the grave, so the Spirit in every Christian, ray seth them up at the lowest to comfort, to a further degree of grace, more and more, nay, when they are fallen into any sin, or any affliction for sin, the same power that raised Christ when he was in the grave; for our sins in the lowest humiliation that could be, it raiseth them from their sins daily, that they gather strength from their sins, the power that raised Christ at the lowest, raiseth a Christian at the lowest in sin, and in affliction ⟨p. 401⟩for sin, for when he is tripped, and undermined by his corruptions, God by that power that raised Christ at the lowest, recovers and strengthens him, and makes him afresh revenge himself upon his sin, and when he is at the lowest, in the grave, the same power will raise him like Christ every way, so you see how we are changed to the likeness of Christ.
So by the vertue of his resurrection, I am conformable more and more, to the graces in him, for as the power of Gods Spirit ⟨p. 400⟩raised him up, when hee was at the lowest, when he had beene three dayes in the grave, so the Spirit in every Christian, ray seth them up at the lowest to comfort, to a further degree of grace, more and more, nay, when they are fallen into any sinne, or any affliction for sinne, the same power that raised Christ when hee was in the grave; for our sinnes in the lowest humiliation that could bee, it raiseth them from their sinnes daily, that they gather strength from their sinnes, the power that raised Christ at the lowest, raiseth a Christian at the lowest in sinne, and in affliction ⟨p. 401⟩for sinne, for when he is tripped, and undermined by his corruptions, God by that power that raised Christ at the lowest, recovers and strengthens him, and makes him afresh revenge himselfe upon his sinne, and when hee is at the lowest, in the grave, the same power will raise him like Christ every way, so you see how we are changed to the liknesse of Christ.
If we be changed into the likeness of Christ, we shall be changed in our understandings, to judge of ⟨p. 402⟩things as he did, his aim was to please his father in all things, if we have the same ends, and the same opinion, and esteem of things, he judged matters of grace, and of the kingdom of God above all other, for the soul is more worth then the whole world, see the judgement that he passed upon things: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all other things shall be cast upon you. We must be changed in our judgement, if we will have his Image upon us. We must be like him in our will, in our choice, in the cleaving, and purpose, and resolution of our will, we must have the bent of our ⟨p. 403⟩soul, as his was, our souls must be edged, and pointed as his was, wholly for heaven, and the Kingdom of God: And so for our affections there must be a change in them, in our love, and joy, and delight, we must love, and joy, and delight, in whatsoever he did.
If wee be changed into the likenesse of Christ, we shall be changed in our understandings, to judge of ⟨p. 402⟩things as he did, his ayme was to please his father in all things, if we have the same ends, and the same opinion, and esteeme of things, he judged matters of grace, and of the kingdome of God above all other, for the soule is more worth then the whole world, see the judgement that he passed upon things: Seeke ye first the Kingdome of God, and all other things shall be cast upon you. We must bee changed in our judgement, if we will have his Image upon us. Wee must bee like him in our will, in our choyce, in the cleaving, and purpose, and resolution of our will, wee must have the bent of our ⟨p. 403⟩soule, as his was, our soules must be edged, and pointed as his was, wholly for heaven, and the Kingdome of God: And so for our affections there must bee a change in them, in our love, and joy, and delight, we must love, and joy, and delight, in whatsoever he did.
Now the way to stir us up to this, is to see what Image we naturally carry, and to see our selves in the glass of the Law, if a man consider thus, if Christs Image be not upon me, I carry the image of the devil, this would make him labour to get another Image upon him: For beloved at the day of ⟨p. 404⟩judgement, Christ will not own us, if he see not his Image upon us, Caesar will own Caesars coin, if he see his image upon it. Whose image and superscription is this? Give unto Caesar, that which is Caesars. If Christ see his stamp on us, he will own us at the day of judgment, or else not. Naturally we are all opposite to Christ, naturally we are full of pride and malice, of the spirit of the world, and the devil, get out this by all means, or else Christ will not own us at the day of judgement, he will not look upon us, he cannot abide to see us, if we have not his image, we must ⟨p. 405⟩bear the image of the second Adam, as we did the image of the first.
Now the way to stirre us up to this, is to see what Image wee naturally carry, and to see our selves in the glasse of the Law, if a man consider thus, if Christs Image be not upon me, I carry the image of the devill, this would make him labour to get another Image upon him: For beloved at the day of ⟨p. 404⟩judgement, Christ will not owne us, if he see not his Image upon us, Caesar will owne Caesars coyne, if hee see his image upon it. Whose image and superscription is this? Give unto Caesar, that which is Caesars. If Christ see his stampe on us, he will owne us at the day of judgment, or else not. Naturally we are all opposite to Christ, naturally wee are full of pride and mallice, of the spirit of the world, and the devill, get out this by all meanes, or else Christ will not owne us at the day of judgement, hee will not looke upon us, he cannot abide to see us, if we have not his image, wee must ⟨p. 405⟩beare the image of the second Adam, as wee did the image of the first.
Again, the law of God that was written in Adams heart, it is expressed, and copied out, there see our selves, there see all the curses, there see our selves guilty of the breach of every commandment, if we understand the law spiritually, that desire of women, and revengeful thoughts, are murder, and adultery, understand the law spiritually, and see our selves in that glass, see our selves utterly condemned, this will make us fly to the glass of the Gospel, that we may be changed into the Image of Christ.
Againe, the law of God that was written in Adams heart, it is expressed, and coppyed out, there see our selves, there see all the curses, there see our selves guilty of the breach of every commandement, if wee understand the law spiritually, that desire of women, and revengefull thoughts, are murther, and adultery, understand the law spiritually, and see our selves in that glasse, see our selves utterly condemned, this will make us flye to the glasse of the Gospell, that we may be changed into the Image of Christ.
There is another image that we more desire to be changed into,1 we are transformed into the likeness of the world, cast into the mould of the times, we labour to have those opinions that the times have, and those ways of getting, and rising to preferment that the world hath, and to have that carriage and disposition every way that the world hath, and so frame to the spirit of the world in all things, that so we may not be observed by others, and crossed in our pleasures, and preferments, and profits, well, this desire to be transformed into the likeness of the world, to have the spirit ⟨p. 407⟩of the world, what will it come to in the end? The world shall be condemned, if we will be condemned with the world, let us labour to be transformed into the opinion of the world, and to go with the stream, and the errors of the time, if we desire to be damned. The world must be condemned, it is the kingdom of Satan wherein he rules, therefore, there is no image or likeness for us to be transformed into, if we will be saved, and have comfort, but the Image of Christ, and can we have a better likeness to be transformed into, then the image of him, by ⟨p. 408⟩whom we hope to be saved? then to be like him from whom we hope for so great a matter as Salvation is.
There is another image that we more desire to be changed into,1 we are transformed into the likenesse of the world, cast into the mould of the times, we labour to have those opinions that the times have, and those wayes of getting, and rising to preferment that the world hath, and to have that carriage and disposition every way that the world hath, and so frame to the spirit of the world in al things, that so wee may not be observed by others, and crossed in our pleasures, and preferments, and profits, wel, this desire to be transformed into the likenesse of the world, to have the spirit ⟨p. 407⟩of the world, what will it come to in the end? The world shall bee condemned, if wee will bee condemned with the world, let us labour to bee transformed into the opinion of the world, and to goe with the streame, and the errours of the time, if we desire to be damned. The world must bee condemned, it is the kingdome of Sathan wherein hee rules, therefore, there is no image or likenesse for us to be transformed into, if we will bee saved, and have comfort, but the Image of Christ, and can wee have a better likenesse to be transformed into, then the image of him, by ⟨p. 408⟩whom wee hope to be saved? then to be like him from whom wee hope for so great a matter as Salvation is.
1Most desire to be changed into the likeness of the world.Most desire to be changed into the likenesse of the world.
The author
Richard Sibbes 1577–1635
PuritansEngland
Preacher at Gray's Inn and Master of St Catharine's Hall, Cambridge.
