A12184:457
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.
In the next place, observe that if any man belong to God, he must at one time or other be thus minded as Paul was: to hate all things as vain, to strive on to perfection, to make conscience of the least offences, yea, of idle thoughts and words, of loose wanton behaviour, to know he is not perfect enough, vigilant enough, to look how far he is short of that pitch of perfection he ought to attain unto, not to content himself that he hath out-gone others: these things they shall know either here in time of trial and temptation, or at the hour of death, when no man ever repented of his goodness or forwardness in Religion, nor of his care or constancy in good courses.
In the next place, observe that if any man belong to God, he must at one time or other bee thus minded as Paul was: to hate all things as vaine, to strive on to perfection, to make conscience of the least offences, yea, of idle thoughts and words, of loose wanton behaviour, to know he is not perfect enough, vigilant enough, to look how farre hee is short of that pitch of perfection he ought to attaine unto, not to content himselfe that he hath out-gone others: these things they shall know either here in time of triall and temptation, or at the houre of death, when no man ever repented of his goodnesse or forwardnesse in Religion, nor of his care or constancie in good courses.
And therefore let us be stirred up to be of the same mind now, and if any man shall think with himself, because God will reveal this, therefore he will neglect means, and stay till God inspires this mind into him; let such take heed, if they love goodness, they will set about it presently, but if they quench the good motions of Gods spirit, God will take his spirit from such. Beg that God would now change thee, for thou art not master of thy thoughts: if we now put off God till we die, its just with God to suffer us to forget our selves: let us be well affected for the present, and though we see not so clearly as we should do, let us attend the means, and though we cannot grow in religion, yet let us not think it a shame, but allow and uphold such courses, else is our estate desperate.
And therefore let us be stirred up to bee of the same minde now, and if any man shall think with himselfe, because God will reveale this, therefore he will neglect meanes, and stay till God inspires this minde into him; let such take heed, if they love goodnesse, they will set about it presently, but if they quench the good motions of Gods spirit, God will take his spirit from such. Beg that God would now change thee, for thou art not master of thy thoughts: if we now put off God till we die, its just with God to suffer us to forget our selves: let us bee well affected for the present, and though wee see not so cleerly as wee should doe, let us attend the meanes, and though we cannot grow in religion, yet let us not thinke it a shame, but allow and uphold such courses, else is our estate desperate.