A12183:479
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.
To encourage Christians, he tells them that if it be begun it is glory, not that it is so properly, but if it be begun, it shall never end, till it come in Heaven, therefore God stiles grace in all the latitude from the highest, to the very beginnings, by the same name, to encourage Christians, if they be within the door of the Temple, though they be not so far as those that are in high and glorious places, yet they are going thither to encourage Christians to know that ⟨p. 529⟩unavoidably, and undefesably, they shall come to perfection of glory, if it be begun, and God looks not on Christians, as they are in their imperfections, and beginnings, but that that in time he means to bring them to, he intends to bring them to glory, therefore he gives grace the stile of glory: As in the creatures, God looked not on the seeds of trees as such, but he looked on them as seeds that he meant to make trees of,1 and when God looks upon his children, he looks not on them as they are children, but as they shall be perfect men. Doth the wisdom of ⟨p. 530⟩God look on the seeds of trees, as he intends to make them trees, and doth he not look upon Christians, that are babes in grace, as he intends to make them men, to come to the perfect stature of Christ, he views us at once in our beginnings and perfections, all is presented at once to him, therefore he gives one name to the whole state of grace, grace and glory, all is glory, I beseech you therefore, if there be any goodness, any blessed change in us, let us be comforted; for he that hath brought us to the beginnings of glory, will never fail, till he hath ⟨p. 531⟩brought us to perfect glory in heaven, and there our change shall rest, there is no further change there, when we are once in our element.
To incourage Christians, he tels them that if it be begunne it is glory, not that it is so properly, but if it be begunne, it shall never end, till it come in Heaven, therefore God stiles grace in all the latitude from the highest, to the very beginnings, by the same name, to incourage Christians, if they be within the doore of the Temple, though they be not so farre as those that are in high and glorious places, yet they are going thither to incourage Christians to know that