A12184:145
An exposition of the third chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the…
An exposition of the third chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians also two sermons of Christian watchfulness. The first upon Luke 12 37. The second upon Revel. 16.15. An exposition of part of the second chapter of the Epistle to the Philip. A sermon upon Mal. 4. 2.3. By the late reverend divine Richard Sibbes, D.D. master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher at Gray's-Inn.An exposition of the third chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians also two sermons of Christian watchfulnesse. The first upon Luke 12 37. The second upon Revel. 16.15. An exposition of part of the second chapter of the Epistle to the Philipp. A sermon upon Mal. 4. 2.3. By the late reverend divine Richard Sibbes, D.D. master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher at Grayes-Inne.
London: printed by T. Cotes and John Dawson for Peter Cole, 1639
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.
By flesh, is meant outward things, as prerogatives, privileges, actions of a mans own doing, and particularly, he aims at Circumcision, which he calls outward, and that of the flesh. So as the observation that we may gather is: That confidence in Christ, takes away confidence in outward things. The reason is: if Christ be fully all sufficient, what need is there of any outward thing to put confidence in? For these are two opposite things, and one overthrows the other.
By flesh, is meant outward things, as prerogatives, priviledges, actions of a mans owne doing, and particularly, he aimes at Circumcision, which he calls outward, and that of the flesh. So as the observation that wee may gather is: That confidence in Christ, takes away confidence in outward things. The reason is: if Christ be fully all sufficient, what need is there of any outward thing to put confidence in? For these are two opposite things, and one overthrows the other.
The second instruction is, That naturally men have confidence in outward things:1 for having not hearts filled with grace, they relish not Christ, but fly to ceremonious outward actions as their refuge. Nay, in the Church, till we be converted, we naturally fly to outward fleshly confidence. We have the Word taught to us, we come to hear it twice on the Lords day: alas what is this if thou be not transformed, and inwardly and outwardly conformed in obedience? Hast thou the Sacraments? dost thou uncover thy head, or bow the knee? these are good, and they seem fair: but where is the heart? how is that prepared? hast thou an earnest desire to leave off thy course of sinning? and dost thou resolve hereafter to amend thy life? O here is ⟨p. 61⟩the hard spiritual work. So, in outward fasting, and abstinence, its an easy matter, the Pharisee did it often: but this is the fast that God hath commanded, to loose the bands of wickedness, Isaiah 59.6. to fast from sin. The suffering of the flesh, if it be separated from spiritual use, and alms, they profit nothing,