A12184:380
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.
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.
The next law is, that wee must looke to gaine ground still to grow from grace to grace. Its the Apostles ayme still to grow better than himselfe, contrary to this many forsake their first love, they thinke themselves wise but are fooles, 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 doe but provide for their owne ease, and can indure any mixture of religion or company, and the ground of this coldnesse is a selfe-conceit, whereby men thinke well of themselves, and their estate; Paul he was of another spirit, ever pressing forward.
A third law is, that we do things with all our might, that we run this race with all our earnest endeavour, there is no bodily exercise that profiteth, but it must be with putting forth of our strength; so our Christian actions should show even outwardly, that we do things as if we intended thereby to honour God indeed, and to this end we are to depend on God by prayer, that he would give us strength, and minds to put forth our strength, for gaining most honour to his Majesty, and this will bring great assurance and comfort to us in time of need.
A third law is, that we doe things with all our might, that we runne this race with all our earnest indeavour, there is no bodily exercise that profiteth, but it must be with putting forth of our strength; so our Christian actions should shew even outwardly, that we doe things as if we intended thereby to honour God indeed, and to this end wee are to depend on God by prayer, that he would give us strength, and mindes to put forth our strength, for gaining most honour to his Majestie, and this will bring great assurance and comfort to us in time of need.