A12183:535
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.
It is in mystical Christ,1 even as it was in natural Christ, all his grace was from the holy Ghost as man: for though he were conceived of the holy Ghost, he was anointed by the h•ly Ghost, he was sealed by the holy Ghost, he was lead by the holy Ghost into the wilderness, he offered himself by the Spirit, he was raised by the Spirit, he was full of the Spirit. As it was in Christ natural, so it is in Christ mystical, that is, in the Church, all is by the Spirit: as he was conceived in the womb by the Spirit, so we are conceived to be Christians ⟨p. 597⟩by the Spirit, the same Spirit that sanctified him sanctifieth us: but first the Spirit by way of Union sanctifieth us, by knitting us to him the head of all, and then unction comes after union, anointing after union, then the Spirit when he hath knit us to Christ, works the same anointing that he did in Christ. Therefore we are called Christians of Christ not only partakers of the naked name, but of the anointing of Christ, that anointing that runs down the head of our spiritual Aaron, to the skirts, to every poor Christian. All change, all comfort, all peace, is from ⟨p. 598⟩the Spirit of Christ, therefore give him the glory of all, if we Find any comfort in any truth, it comes not from us, but from his Spirit, and we must go upward to him again, as all descends from heaven, from the Father of lights, and from the Spirit of God, so all must ascend again, yield him the praise of all. And one work of the Spirit is to carry our souls up: for the Spirit as it comes from heaven to change us, so it carries us up again to view, and to imitate Christ, to be where Christ is, as water when it is to be carried up, it is carried as high as the ⟨p. 599⟩spring head, from whence it came, so the Spirit coming from Christ, it never leaves changing and altering of us, till it have carried us to Christ again, therefore as it is the work of the Spirit to carry us to Christ, so let us desire it may carry us before hand, for the good work begun in us, in thankfulness that we may begin heaven upon earth, all is from the Spirit of Christ.