A12183:531
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.
Besides, that which riseth of nothing, and is opposite, and hath Satan to oppose it, it must have an Almighty power to work it. Therefore whosoever works any thing, that is supernaturally good in us, he must be above the devil, we cannot so much as call Jesus, with a feeling, but by the Spirit of God; we cannot think a good thought, all is by the Spirit whatsoever is gracious, and comfortable in us. I should be overtroublesome to you, to be much in so clear a common argument as this is, therefore ⟨p. 589⟩I will hasten to make some use of it.
Besides, that which riseth of nothing, and is opposite, and hath Sathan to oppose it, it must have an Almighty power to work it. Therefore whosoever workes any thing, that is supernaturally good in us, hee must be above the devill, we cannot so much as call Iesus, with a feeling, but by the Spirit of God; we cannot thinke a good thought, all is by the Spirit whatsoever is gracious, and comfortable in us. I should bee overtroublesome to you, to be much in so cleare a common argument as this is, therfore ⟨p. 589⟩I wil hasten to make some use of it.
Use. 1 And therefore put out of your thoughts, I beseech you,1 when you look to have any grace or comfort wrought, shut out of your hearts too much relying upon any outward thing, think not that education can make a man good, or plodding can make a man good in bodily exercise, in hearing much, in conferring much, in custom or education or any pains of our own, these are things that the Spirit will be effectual in, if we use them as we should, but without the Spirit what are they• nay, what is the body of Christ ⟨p. 590⟩without the Spirit? The flesh profiteth nothing, what is the Sacrament, and the Word, dead things without the Spirit of the Lord, nothing can work upon the soul, no outward thing in the world, but the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of God works upon the soul by the means of grace, by gracious habits and qualities wrought: for he doth not work upon the soul immediately, before he alter and change the soul, the Spirit works upon the sule by altering, and changing of it, and when it hath altered the soul, then it joins with the soul, and alters and changeth