A12184:365
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.
VERS. 14. I press towards the mark.
VERS. 14. I presse towards the marke.
Behold an excellent description of a Christian course, borrowed from the exercise of running a race, being a man-like and commendable exercise, fitting men and enabling them for war. The very heathen herein condemn us, whose ⟨p. 137⟩ordinary chief exercises, what are they but good company (as we call them) continual lying at Taverns, to the impoverishing of our estates, and weakening our bodies: the kind I condemn not, but the excess is such, as the Heathen would be ashamed of, for which they shall even rise up in judgement against us, and condemn us.
BEhold an excellent description of a Christian course, borrowed from the exercise of running a race, being a man-like and commendable exercise, fitting men and inabling them for warre. The very heathen herein condemne us, whose ⟨p. 137⟩ordinary chiefe exercises, what are they but good company (as wee call them) continuall lying at T•vernes, to the impoverishing of our estates, and weakning our bodies: the kinde I condemne not, but the excesse is such, as the Heathen would be ashamed of, for which they shall even rise up in judgement against us, and condemne us.
But from the simile, we may gather thus much; That Christianity is a race, the beginning of this race is at the beginning of our conversion, it should begin at our baptism: the first thing we should know ought to be God, the race is the performance of good duties, concerning our general calling, and concerning our particular. For the length of our races, some are longer, some shorter, but the end of every mans race is the end of his life: some mens ways are plainer, some rougher, the prize is fullness of joy; the lookers on, are heaven, earth, and hell, God is the instituter of this race, and the rewarder; the helpers, are Christ, good Angels, and the Church, which helps by prayer; the hinderers are the devil and his instruments, who hinder us by slanders, persecutions, and the like. For ground of this race in us, we are to know that man is created with understanding, directing him to do things to a good end and scope, other creatures are carried to their end, as the shaft out of a bow, only man fore-seeing his end, apprehends means thereto: his end is to receive reconciliation