A12184:379
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.
First,1 they must resolve to hold on without discontinuance of their course of good duties, for some by omitting good duties, now and then upon slight occasions, do come through Gods just sufferance to leave them off, and never take them up again, and thereby whiles they are not getting ground by continuing their course, they do lose thereby, even as water-men rowing against the stream, if they do not row but rest never so little, the stream carries them back again, and they cannot recover themselves, but with great difficulty: so it is in this Christian race, a little interruption of duty, causes thrice so much pains to recover our former estate; therefore we are to take up a holy resolution, not to be interrupted in good duties.
First,1 they must resolve to hold on without discontinuance of their course of good duties, for some by omitting good duties, now and then upon slight occasions, do come through Gods just sufferance to leave them off, and never take them up againe, and thereby whiles they are not getting ground by continuing their course, they doe lose thereby, even as water-men rowing against the streame, if they doe not row but rest never so little, the streame carries them backe againe, and they cannot recover themselves, but with great difficultie: so it is in this Christian race, a little interruption of dutie, causes thrice so much paines to recover our former estate; therefore we are to take up a holy resolution, not to be interrupted in good duties.
- 1Direct. 1.
The next law is, that we must look to gain ground still to grow from grace to grace. Its the Apostles aim still to grow better than himself, contrary to this many forsake their first love, they think themselves wise but are fools, such as the Lord will spew out of his mouth, as he threatens the Church of Laodicea. And indeed the most men at the best are but civill, and do but provide for their own ease, and can endure any mixture of religion or company, and the ground of this coldness is a self-conceit, whereby men think well of themselves, and their estate; Paul he was of another spirit, ever pressing forward.