A12184:350
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.
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.
The holy Apostle dwells upon the point, that he might press it the more, and its good to press matter of weight: the Apostle showing that ⟨p. 134⟩conceit of perfection to be dangerous, again tells the Philippians, that he had not that which they boasted of. This pride of our selves, and conceit, is a sin that climbs up to heaven, and enters on Gods prerogative, and a sin that God doth directly set himself against: of this compellation, Brethren, I have formerly spoken.
THe holy Apostle dwels upon the point, that hee might presse it the more, and its good to presse matter of waight: the Apostle shewing that ⟨p. 134⟩conceipt of perfection to be dangerous, againe tells the Philippians, that he had not that which they boasted of. This pride of our selves, and conceipt, is a sinne that climbes up to heaven, and enters on Gods prerogative, and a sinne that God doth directly set himselfe against: of this compellation, Brethren, I have formerly spoken.
I might also touch that doctrine, that the Kingdom of heaven is not perfected in us here, but that it grows by degrees: its at the first, as a grain of mustard seed, there are babes in Christianity, and old men grown Christians. And the ground hereof, may be partly in the subject, partly in the object.
I might also touch that doctrine, that the Kingdome of heaven is not perfected in us here, but that it growes by degrees: its at the first, as a graine of mustard seed, there are babes in Christianitie, and old men growne Christians. And the ground hereof, may be partly in the subject, partly in the object.
In regard of the subject, for that graces are imperfect in us, the more the soul hath, the more it desires.
In regard of the subject, for that graces are imperfect in us, the more the soule hath, the more it desires.
In regard of the object, for that Christ is so full, that we are not able to receive all his fullness: so as there is imperfection in us, and superabundant perfection in him. Paul had a large affection, yet came far short, this possibility of the soul to receive more will be in us, till we be in heaven, where we shall be full; and therefore while we are here, we pray still, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, and thy Kingdom come, more and more: its a strange conceit therefore, for any to think he may be too good, yet do these daily (or should do) pray for more and more perfection here on earth, although they say ⟨p. 135⟩they know not what. And another reason why we apprehend Christ not so fully here as we shall do hereafter, is, because the manner of making Christ known to us, is by revelation. 1 Cor 13. We behold him here but as it were in a glass, in the glass of his Word and Sacraments, which cannot represent him to our understanding so clearly, as hereafter we shall behold him in the beatifical vision.
In regard of the object, for that Christ is so full, that we are not able to receive all his fulnesse: so as there is imperfection in us, and superabundant perfection in him. Paul had a large affection, yet came farre short, this possibilitie of the soule to receive more will bee in us, till we be in heaven, where we shall bee full; and therefore while we are here, wee pray still, thy will bee done, on earth as it is in heaven, and thy Kingdome come, more and more: its a strange conceipt therefore, for any to thinke he may be too good, yet doe these dayly (or should doe) pray for more and more perfection here on earth, although they say ⟨p. 135⟩they know not what. And another reason why we apprehend Christ not so fully here as wee shall doe hereafter, is, because the manner of making Christ knowne to us, is by revelation. 1 Cor 13. We behold him here but as it were in a glasse, in the glasse of his Word and Sacraments, which cannot represent him to our understanding so cleerely, as hereafter we shall behold him in the beatificall vision.
Take heed therefore of a self conceit of perfection: when we begin to be unwilling to grow better, we begin to wax worse, there is no stay in Christianity. It is the sight of our imperfection, that makes us strive to perfection, and the more we see into our misery, the more earnestly we strive on to be freed from it.
Take heed therefore of a selfe conceipt of perfection: when we begin to be unwilling to grow better, we begin to waxe worse, there is no stay in Christianitie. It is the sight of our imperfection, that makes us strive to perfection, and the more we see into our miserie, the more earnestly we strive on to be freed from it.
See what is the Apostles unum necessarium, to grow more and more to the fullness of the knowledge of Christ. All other things he counts as dung and loss. So as we may hence observe, that the spirit of God in a Christian heart, subjects all things to one Christ.
SEe what is the Apostles unum necessarium, to grow more and more to the fulnesse of the knowledge of Christ. All other things he counts as dung and losse. So as we may hence observe, that the spirit of God in a Christian heart, subjects all things to one Christ.
One thing have I desired of the Lord (said David) Make this therefore a rule to difference ⟨p. 136⟩our estates by. What is the thing we intend chiefly, is it riches, or pleasures, or honours? this one thing will be the utter overthrow of all religion in us; Christ will be supreme, or he will not be: He that loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me, saith Christ of himself. There is none so wicked but would be religious, till religion comes to cross that one thing, their darling sin. And thus have they base limitations, which must needs prejudice their growth in religion, for where religion is, it will cross their base affections and lusts.
One thing have I desired of the Lord (said David) Make this therefore a rule to difference ⟨p. 136⟩our estates by. What is the thing wee intend chiefly, is it riches, or pleasures, or honours? this one thing will be the utter overthrow of all religion in us; Christ will be supream, or he will not be: He that loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of mee, saith Christ of himselfe. There is none so wicked but would be religious, till religion comes to crosse that one thing, their darling sinne. And thus have they base limitations, which must needs prejudice their grow•h in religion, for where religion is, it will crosse their base affections and lusts.
Therefore, whosoever we are that intend to be true Christians indeed, resolve first to prefer the peace of conscience and the fruit of of religion above all, and resolve to abhor all things that will cross this one thing of St. Paul.
Therefore, whosoever we are that intend to be true Christians indeed, resolve first to preferre the peace of conscience and the fruite of of religion above all, and resolve to abhorre all things that will crosse this one thing of St. Paul.
