A12184:146
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.
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, 1 Cor. 13.3. All Pauls prerogatives, which were many, 2 Cor. 11, and 12. chapters. Yet were they in his account but dross and dung, in comparison of Christ. Most men are like Ephraim, Hosea 10.11. as heifer•, who serve to tread out corn, and to plough: Ephraim loved to tread corn where he might eat his belly full; for by the law of Moses, the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn, was not to be muzzled: men, they are delighted in the performance of slight duties, but to put their neck under the yoke, to plough its a hard work, who can bear it?
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 flye to ceremonious outward actions as their refuge. Nay, in the Church, till we be converted, we naturally flie to outward fleshly confidence. We have the Word taught to us, we come to heare 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 seeme faire: 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