A12184:31
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.
In the second place observe, That it belongs ⟨p. 5⟩only to Christians to rejoice. Others have neither cause of joy, nor commandment to rejoice: the Ministers and Prophets are bidden to bid such howl and lament, to show them their miserable estate. And indeed what ground can a condemned person have of joy? for the wicked, till they have remission of sins, they are in a damned estate, and though they will snatch this to themselves, and say that they are sure to be saved, yet is salvation not their portion. They joy indeed, but it is in sin; in seeing, or doing evil to others. Or if sometimes they joy in the Gospel, (for a wicked man may do so) it is but a forced joy: and much like hot waters to a cold fit of an Ague, it brings heat, and expulses cold for the present, but it burns them after. So this joy seems to comfort them now, but when trial comes it fails him, and makes him more disconsolate to see himself thus beguiled. Fitter it were for such to be first humbled, and brought to the sight of their estate, than to administer comfort to them, to speak peace where none belongs is to undo men. It is the broken that must be healed, and the weary that must come to Christ.
In the second place observe, That it belongs ⟨p. 5⟩only to Christians to rejoyce. Others have neither cause of joy, nor commandement to rejoyce: the Ministers and Prophets are bidden to bid such howle and lament, to shew them their miserable estate. And indeed what ground can a condemned person have of joy? for the wicked, till they have remission of sins, they are in a damned estate, and though they will snatch this to themselves, and say that they are sure to be saved, yet is salvation not their portion. They joy indeed, but it is in sinne; in seeing, or doing evill to others. Or if sometimes they joy in the Gospell, (for a wicked man may doe so) it is but a forced joy: and much like hot waters to a cold fit of an Ague, it brings heate, and expulses cold for the present, but it burnes them after. So this joy seemes to comfort them now, but when triall comes it failes him, and makes him more disconsolate to see himselfe thus beguiled. Fitter it were for such to bee first humbled, and brought to the sight of their estate, than to administer comfort to them, to speake peace where none belongs is to undoe men. It is the broken that must be healed, and the wearie that must come to Christ.