A12184:339
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.
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.
Those that will take no pains, its a sure sign they find no sweetness in the thing, and therefore in such there can be no true goodness; and hence we may observe a difference between the desires of men, some are effectual, some uneffectuall; those that are uneffectuall commonly desire and delight in the thing they desire, but will none of the means: let me die the death of the righteous, says the wicked man, glory and happiness is excellent, but the gate ⟨p. 127⟩is narrow, the way is tedious and full of trouble, he will none of that; we will laugh at one that shall wish his work and journey were done, when as he will sit down and never go about it; why should we not much more laugh at such sluggards that wish daily, O that they might be saved, when as they do not only not further, but hinder their salvation. But where true desire of grace is, there will will be joined thereto an endeavour, with jealousy over our corruptions, with grief and shame for them, and for our backwardness and want of goodness, for else hell itself is full of good wishes and desires: if we mean to be better, we must use all means, undertake all pains and travail with vehemency, even as those that pursue gains with delight, they follow through thick and thin, especially if the gain be in the eye, and those that go for company, they are soon tired; and thus did Paul, he went through fire and water, through all manner of dangers, good and ill report, his gain is still in his eye, he looks not after the way, if by any means he may attain his desired mark.
Those that will take no paines, its a sure signe they finde no sweetnesse in the thing, and therefore in such there can bee no true goodnesse; and hence we may observe a difference between the desires of men, some are effectuall, some uneffectuall; those that are uneffectuall commonly desire and delight in the thing they desire, but will none of the meanes: let me die the death of the righteous, sayes the wicked man, glory and happinesse is excellent, but the gate ⟨p. 127⟩is narrow, the way is tedious and full of trouble, he will none of that; we will laugh at one that shall wish his work and jorney were done, when as he will sit downe and never goe about it; why should wee not much more laugh at such sluggards that wish dayly, O that they might bee saved, when as they doe not onely not further, but hinder their salvation. But where true desire of grace is, there will will be joyned thereto an indeavour, with jealousie over our corruptions, with griefe and shame for them, and for our backwardnesse and want of goodnesse, for else hell itself is full of good wishes and desires: if we meane to be better, we must use all meanes, undertake all paines and travaile with vehemencie, even as those that pursue gains with delight, they follow through thicke and thin, especially if the gaine bee in the eye, and those that goe for companie, they are soone tired; and thus did Paul, hee went through fire and water, through all manner of dangers, good and ill report, his gaine is still in his eye, hee lookes not after the way, if by any meanes hee may attaine his desired marke.
But how shall we come to this grace?
I answer, get first Faith, for by it the weak are made strong, Heb. 11. Get assurance that Heaven is thine, and God hath promised thee grace sufficient, and this is Pauls argument; be ye constant and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing you labour ⟨p. 128⟩shall not be in vain: where hope of reward is in the use of the means, it will stir us up to a constant use of the means 1 Cor. 15. last. Secondly, get a fervent love, for it is a strong affection if lust so prevail with us, as we will omit no means to accomplish it; then a love in it self is much more powerful, nothing being too hard for it, it hath an enlarging knitting and communicating power: it makes a man bestow all, and rejoice more in doing good, by much then in receiving. Its a grace comprehends a number under it, and therefore Christ comprehended all the law under love of God, and our neighbour. Thirdly, cut off all superfluities, men think they are happy, when they have much to do, when indeed they were happy if they had less to do then they have. Satan he does as Cyrus did with the waters of Babylon, he diverts and separates our affections, that he might pass over. As Nurses, they hurt themselves and the children too, when they keep over many: so do men hurt themselves with overmuch business. The Lord hath not made us all for the world, but hath reserved one day in Seven for his service. For shame lets show we have some respect of Religion and goodness, seeing God requires but one in seven; let us not be so unjust, as to deny him his service on that day.
I answer, get first Faith, for by it the weake are made strong, Heb. 11. Get assurance that Heaven is thine, and God hath promised thee grace sufficient, and this is Pauls argument; be yee constant and unmoveable, alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord, knowing you labour ⟨p. 128⟩shall not be in vain: where hope of reward is in the use of the meanes, it will stir us up to a constant use of the meanes 1 Cor. 15. last. Secondly, get a fervent love, for it is a strong affection if lust so prevaile with us, as we will omit no meanes to accomplish it; then a love in it selfe is much more powerfull, nothing being too hard for it, it hath an enlarging knitting and cōmunicating power: it makes a man bestow all, and rejoyce more in doing good, by much then in receiving. Its a grace cōprehends a number under it, and therfore Christ comprehended all the law under love of God, and our neighbour. Thirdly, cut off all superfluities, men thinke they are happy, when they have much to doe, when indeed they were happie if they had lesse to doe then they have. Sathan he does as Cyrus did with the waters of Babylon, hee diverts and separates our affections, that hee might passe over. As Nurses, they hurt themselves and the children too, when they keep over many: so doe men hurt themselves with overmuch businesse. The Lord hath not made us all for the world, but hath reserved one day in Seven for his service. For shame lets shew we have some respect of Religion and goodnesse, seeing God requires but one in seven; let us not bee so unjust, as to denie him his service on that day.
Well, let those that profess themselves of another world, by all means pursue it. In Nature, every thing tends to his centre and ⟨p. 129⟩place, heavy things go downward, light things ascend upward, in handicrafts and arts every one looks after excellency, shall it be thus with them, shall mediocrity in other arts merit dispraise, and is it only praise-worthy in Religion? The wicked they labour for hell, venturing loss of credit, strength, and estate, and is there not better gain in goodness? have we such rich promises and do we esteem of them no more, are not the afflictions we shall meet with many and great, and do we think to undergo them with ordinary grace, gotten without labour and watchfulness? But lets go on to the next words;
Well, let those that professe themselves of another world, by all meanes pursue it. In Nature, every thing tends to his center and ⟨p. 129⟩place, heavie things goe downward, light things ascend upward, in handicrafts and arts every one lookes after excellencie, shall it bee thus with them, shall mediocritie in other arts merit dispraise, and is it onely praise-worthy in Religion? The wicked they labour for hell, venturing losse of credit, strength, and estate, and is there not better gain in goodnesse? have we such rich promises and doe we esteeme of them no more, are not the afflictions wee shall meet with many and great, and doe wee thinke to undergoe them with ordinarie grace, gotten without labour and watchfulnesse? But lets goe on to the next words;
That I may apprehend. Whence we may observe, that the main scope of a Christian is to apprehend Christ here by revelation, that we may apprehend him hereafter by vision: many there are that may follow good things, and use good means, yet wanting these apprehending graces of faith and love, (which makes us have communion with Christ) they perish notwithstanding: humane knowledge is commendable, yet is it no other than as a scaffold in this building, it helps, but the building once done, its for little use; apprehend we therefore him by knowledge of his truth, rely on him by faith, and embrace him by love: and then if we be chased by him, we may as Joab, lay hold on the horns of the Altar Christ Jesus, and there live and die, and as we have daily breaches, even so get more and more hold on him, ⟨p. 130⟩and this will make us desire with Simeon; Lord let me now depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Let us therefore daily learn to see our own foulness, and go to him the rock of our refuge.
That I may apprehend. Whence we may observe, that the maine scope of a Christian is to apprehend Christ here by revellation, that we may apprehend him hereafter by vision: many there are that may follow good things, and use good meanes, yet wanting these apprehending graces of faith and love, (which makes us have communion with Christ) they perish notwithstanding: humane knowledge is commendable, yet is it no other than as a scaffold in this building, it helpes, but the building once done, its for little use; apprehend we therefore him by knowledge of his truth, relye on him by faith, and imbrace him by love: and then if we be chased by him, we may as Ioab, lay hold on the hornes of the Altar Christ Iesus, and there live and die, and as we have dayly breaches, even so get more and more hold on him, ⟨p. 130⟩and this will make us desire with Simeon; Lord let me now depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Let us therefore dayly learne to see our owne foulnesse, and goe to him the rock of our refuge.
1I answer, yes; for the arms of faith are large, it takes hold of things past and to come, no height is out of the reach thereof: and besides, Christ he is present with us, he is in his word, in the Sacraments, in the Communion of Saints; where two or three are gathered together in my name, I will be in the middest of of them, its his own promise.
1I answer, yes; for the armes of faith are large, it takes hold of things past and to come, no height is out of the reach thereof: and besides, Christ he is present with us, he is in his word, in the Sacraments, in the Communion of Saints; where two or three are gathered together in my name, I will be in the middest of of them, its his owne promise.
For which I am apprehended of Christ: Christ he apprehends us, and that in several degrees.
For which I am apprehended of Christ: Christ he apprehends us, and that in severall degrees.
First, as he is God: In his eternal love we had a being before we had any being here, God conceived us in his eternal affection, and embraced us. Secondly, Christ apprehends us in his effectual calling of us: Paul he was posting another way, when Christ called him, Saul, Saul; others he calls from their mothers womb, some by afflictions and powerful crosses, as he did the Jailer, others by more gentle means, as Lydia.
First, as he is God: In his eternall love wee had a being before we had any being here, God conceived us in his eternall affection, and imbraced us. Secondly, Christ apprehends us in his effectuall calling of us: Paul he was posting another way, when Christ called him, Saul, Saul; others hee calles from their mothers wombe, some by afflictions and powerfull crosses, as he did the Iaylor, others by more gentle meanes, as Lydia.
Thirdly, there is an apprehending in all our actions, courses, and estates, directing us continually in them, never leaving us; none can pluck us out of his hands, he is stronger ⟨p. 131⟩than our corruptions, he will not let us go till he hath drawn us up to heaven, and placed us with himself; for the use of this doctrine more shall be said in the next doctrine, which is taken from the order.
Thirdly, there is an apprehending in all our actions, courses, and estates, directing us continually in them, never leaving us; none can plucke us out of his hands, hee is stronger ⟨p. 131⟩than our corruptions, he will not let us goe till he hath drawne us up to heaven, and placed us with himselfe; for the use of this doctrine more shall be said in the next doctrine, which is taken from the order.
Christ he first apprehends us, 1then we apprehend him: he apprehends us that we may apprehend him, and because he hath apprehended us, therefore is it that we apprehend him: for in him it is that we live, and move, and have our being; and therefore much more our best being: he it is that gives us the will and the deed, to us it is given by him to believe, and suffer with him.
Christ he first apprehends us, 1then we apprehend him: he apprehends us that we may apprehend him, and because hee hath apprehended us, therefore is it that we apprehend him: for in him it is that we live, and move, and have our being; and therefore much more our best being: he it is that gives us the will and the deed, to us it is given by him to beleeve, and suffer with him.
For use hereof,1 it would teach us in all our actions to beg ability and strength of him, and get a persuasion that his spirit doth apprehend us in love, and that he will direct us, and remove all impediments, and stand by us in all our crosses, that we are able to do nothing but by reflection from him, that though we are naturally dead and dull, yet he will quicken us by shining on our hearts with the sun-shine of his grace.
For use hereof,1 it would teach us in all our actions to beg ability and strength of him, and get a perswasion that his spirit doth apprehend us in love, and that he will direct us, and remove all impediments, and stand by us in all our crosses, that we are able to doe nothing but by reflection from him, that though wee are naturally dead and dull, yet he will quicken us by shining on our hearts with the sun-shine of his grace.
Secondly, give him the praise of all the good thou doest, for the deed is his: those that do not, do apprehend, and are apprehended of themselves: and therefore it may serve as a mark to discern of our estate, whither do we run? and what do we apprehend in our trouble? is it Christ who is our present help in time of trouble? then there is a blessed change in ⟨p. 132⟩us, but do we seek to our own devices, to our own policies and inventions? surely we have not apprehended Christ as we ought to do, and therefore we are to stir up the graces in us, and beg increase of grace from him that is the fountain of all grace.
Secondly, give him the praise of all the good thou doest, for the deed is his: those that doe not, doe apprehend, and are apprehended of themselves: and therefore it may serve as a marke to discerne of our estate, whither doe wee runne? and what doe wee apprehend in our trouble? is it Christ who is our present help in time of trouble? then there is a blessed change in ⟨p. 132⟩us, but doe we seeke to our owne devices, to our owne policies and inventions? surely wee have not apprehended Christ as wee ought to doe, and therefore wee are to stirre up the graces in us, and beg increase of grace from him that is the fountaine of all grace.
In the next place, it should comfort us, by the consideration of the certainty of our estate, without falling away, if we hold fast unto the end: if it were ourselves that did apprehend us we could not long continue, but it being Christ that holdeth us, our comfort is he will not forsake us; its the mother that holds the child, the child cannot lay hold on the mother, but is subject to falling every hour: Christ he holding us, hath promised to love us to the end, and to put his fear in our hearts, that we shall not fall or depart from him: this being daily considered, will greatly comfort a weak Christian, Christ may seem to let him fall by suffering him to fall into some great sin, but it is only to humble him, and to teach him not to trust to his own strength, which will soon fail him, but upon his mercy and grace: And therefore,
In the next place, it should comfort us, by the consideration of the certaintie of our estate, without falling away, if we hold fast unto the end: if it were ourselves that did apprehend us wee could not long continue, but it being Christ that holdeth us, our comfort is he will not forsake us; its the mother that holds the childe, the childe cannot lay hold on the mother, but is subject to falling every houre: Christ hee holding us, hath promised to love us to the end, and to put his feare in our hearts, that we shall not fall or depart from him: this being dayly considered, will greatly comfort a weake Christian, Christ may seeme to let him fall by suffering him to fall into some great sinne, but it is onely to humble him, and to teach him not to trust to his owne strength, which will soone faile him, but upon his mercie and grace: And therefore,
In the next place, it teacheth us to hold fast unto him, and rely on him, and to pray to him that he would hold us fast. and then we fall not from God, but to God, he hath delivered us, and will deliver us and keep us to his heavenly kingdom: if we fall into sin, let us repent and go to God, there is mercy in Israel concerning ⟨p. 133⟩this and with him is plenteous redemption, his right hand is under us ever to hold us up, that we cannot fall so deeply but he will lift us up again.
In the next place, it teacheth us to hold fast unto him, and relye on him, and to pray to him that he would hold us fast. and then we fall not from God, but to God, hee hath delivered us, and will deliver us and keepe us to his heavenly kingdome: if we fall into sinne, let us repent and goe to God, there is mercie in Israel concerning ⟨p. 133⟩this and with him is plenteous redemption, his right hand is under us ever to hold us up, that we cannot fall so deeply but hee will lift us up againe.
In the next place, this may be a comfort to us in all our troubles and afflictions of this life: Are troubles near? God is not far off (Psal. 22. and Psal. 118.) But full of comforts for such: we have an invisible wall about us, the wall of Angels, and God fights for us, there is more with us than against us, God will not suffer us to be tried above that we are able to bear: let us therefore pray, forsake me not Lord, lest I forsake thee: if we pray to him he will be found of us. Paul prayed for this. Christ also that knew he was apprehended, yet prayed all night; and this are we to do: he hath promised, to hear us. And therefore let us go in faith and assurance to him, in all our troubles.
In the next place, this may be a comfort to us in all our troubles and afflictions of this life: Are troubles neare? God is not far off (Psal. 22. and Psal. 118.) But full of comforts for such: we have an invisible wall about us, the wall of Angels, and God fights for us, there is more with us than against us, God will not suffer us to be tried above that we are able to beare: let us therefore pray, forsake me not Lord, lest I forsake thee: if wee pray to him he will bee found of us. Paul prayed for this. Christ also that knew he was apprehended, yet prayed all night; and this are we to doe: he hath promised, to heare us. And therefore let us goe in faith and assurance to him, in all our troubles.
