A12184:426
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.
Secondly,1 we may observe, that there is a kind of perfection attainable in this life: which we ought to strive to, the reason is, that in all things God hath ordained a set pitch, beyond which they cannot come, and to which they all tend; and as its in nature, so in grace, though he hath appointed to every one his several portion and measure of grace here, yet a pitch he also hath set to all, which we are to aim at, to grow better still, though in this life we cannot attain to it, and the reason is because we know not how God will exercise us: he doth exercise all his children, but some with greater trials than others; besides we have a perfect God, and a perfect word, that is able to make the man of God perfect to every good work: and these are not given to us for nought, and therefore its a shame for a Christian to sit down at any degree, upon pretence of imperfection: we see plants in nature desire growth, that they may be able to stand in, and withstand storms. ⟨p. 158⟩And where this spiritual nature is, and this new creature, there will be endeavour to increase in strength, to undergo and overcome all temptations and hinderances whatsoever
Secondly,1 we may observe, that there is a kinde of perfection attainable in this life: which we ought to strive to, the reason is, that in all things God hath ordained a set pitch, beyond which they cannot come, and to which they all tend; and as its in nature, so in grace, though he hath appointed to every one his severall portion and measure of grace here, yet a pitch he also hath set to all, which wee are to ayme at, to grow better still, though in this life we cannot attain to it, and the reason is because we know not how God wil exercise us: he doth exercise all his children, but some with greater trials than others; besides wee have a perfect God, and a perfect word, that is able to make the man of God perfect to every good worke: and these are not given to us for nought, and therefore its a shame for a Christian to sit down at any degree, upon pretence of imperfection: we see plants in nature desire growth, that they may be able to stand in, and withstand storms. ⟨p. 158⟩