A12184:471
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.
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 second place, we may observe that a Christian walketh by this rule: he thinks it not sufficient to take a step, but keeps a right course steadfastly onward.
In the second place, wee may observe that a Christian walketh by this rule: he thinkes it not sufficient to take a step, but keeps a right course stedfastly onward.
I answer, let us use the means; as first, let §1us treasure up the word in our consciences: let us get the rule within us, get the articles of faith, and assurance of the promises: and let this be betimes whiles we are young: its the ordinary cry the Scriptures are hard, they cannot understand them. But whats the reason? they are bred up in earthly businesses, and are stuffed with them, so as they find no place for the ⟨p. 172⟩Word, and its a miracle to see men thus brought up, to live by this rule.
I answer, let us use the meanes; as first, let §1us treasure up the word in our consciences: let us get the rule within us, get the articles of faith, and assurance of the promises: and let this bee betimes whiles we are yong: its the ordinarie cry the Scriptures are hard, they cannot understand them. But whats the reason? they are bred up in earthly businesses, and are stuffed with them, so as they finde no place for the ⟨p. 172⟩Word, and its a miracle to see men thus brought up, to live by this rule.
Secondly, when we have once treasured up §2the knowledge of these things, we must learn to apply them upon several occasions: for where no practice is, there knowledge is idle, and makes us worthy of more stripes, many have general truths in their minds, but coming to apply them, they find a great want. David knew adultery was a sin, and Peter knew it was dangerous for a man to rely on himself, yet how foully did they fall?
Secondly, when wee have once treasured up §2the knowledge of these things, wee must learne to apply them upon severall occasions: for where no practice is, there knowledge is idle, and makes us worthy of more stripes, many have generall truthes in their mindes, but comming to apply them, they finde a great want. David knew adulterie was a sinne, and Peter knew it was dangerous for a man to relye on himselfe, yet how foulely did they fall?
Thirdly, let us compare our experience with our rule, we shall find there is nothing therein but is fulfilled, that there is no suffering but for some sin or other, and that besides heaven hereafter, God rewards particular obedience here, with particular rewards, and particular sin with particular corrections, we shall know that his judgements are not scarecrows, the work of the wicked is accursed, but it shall go well with the righteous▪ and by this means we shall be encouraged to good, and scared from bad courses.
Thirdly, let us compare our experience with our rule, wee shall finde there is nothing therein but is fulfilled, that there is no suffering but for some sinne or other, and that besides heaven hereafter, God rewards particular obedience here, with particular rewards, and particular sin with particular corrections, we shall know that his judgements are not scarcrowes, the worke of the wicked is accursed, but it shall goe well with the righteous▪ and by this meanes we shall bee incouraged to good, and scared from bad courses.
Fourthly, be inquisitive and watchful over §4our particular steps, take and hear admonitions and instructions, and be inquisitive after them; those that are otherwise minded, no marvel if they (like libertines) spurn against all instruction and advice, and accordingly feel the smart of their ways before they see it.
Fourthly, bee inquisitive and watchfull over §4our particular steps, take and heare admonitions and instructions, and bee inquisitive after them; those that are otherwise minded, no marvaile if they (like libertines) spurne against all instruction and advice, and accordingly feele the smart of their wayes before they see it.
Fifthly, get a wonderful jealousy over our §5hearts: we often offend in thoughts and desires, which God the searcher of the heart looks into, and we must therefore be jealous of idle thoughts and words, not only of oaths, for so an hypocrite may be.
Fifthly, get a wonderfull jealousie over our §5hearts: wee often offend in thoughts and desires, which God the searcher of the heart lookes into, and we must therefore be jealous of idle thoughts and words, not only of othes, for so an hypocrite may be.
But loose persons will say,1 O this is an unpleasant course, we must bid all joy farewell, when we come to this.
I answer no, the ways of wisdom are ways of comfort and pleasure,1 God approves of them, and our consciences will tell us so, and thereby will fit us for life or death, and will so settle us, that no estate shall be unwelcome to us: and as Psal. 50.23. To such as order their conversation aright, God will show his salvation: and as in the text fore-going, God will reveal himself more and more, so as if we be faithful and conscionable in little, we shall have greater matters revealed to us; and and contrarily, if we be unfaithfully and careless, God will take from us the key of knowledge, and the use thereof, and will give us up to foul vices, even sins against nature, as he punished the Gentiles, and to believe lies, as Paul says 2 Thes. 2.11. And will answer us as he did the Idolaters, even according to their multitude of Idols, Ezek. 14.4. So as would we have favour in our sins, and teachers that shall bolster us up in them, and not cross our vain courses? God will let us have our hearts desire, but we must know this is an unevitable ⟨p. 174⟩way to a desperate estate, and therefore marvel not so much at the loose liver because of his good breeding, for as they desire the ill, so they have and are justly punished therewith.
I answer no, the wayes of wisedome are wayes of comfort and pleasure,1 God approves of them, and our consciences will tell us so, and thereby will fit us for life or death, and will so settle us, that no estate shall bee unwelcome to us: and as Psal. 50.23. To such as order their conversation aright, God will shew his saluation: and as in the text fore-going, God will reveale himselfe more and more, so as if we be faithfull and conscionable in little, wee shall have greater matters revealed to us; and and contrarily, if we be unfaithfully and carelesse, God will take from us the key of knowledge, and the use thereof, and will give us up to foule vices, even sinnes against nature, as he punished the Gentiles, and to beleeve lyes, as Paul sayes
Observe here, that we are not only to walk suitable to others, but we must mind the same thing that others of our profession do:1 So as this is a direction to concord, showing that a Christian is a member of Christ as his head, and of the mystical body the Church: faith ties him to Christ, love ties him to the body, so as he must walk with Christ, and also with the body, he must look to himself first, and then to the body: the ground of this union is laid down here, to be first an union of mind and affection, and this must be in good, or else we are brethren in evil. Its no marvel the world complains of want of love, when there is no agreement in the rule of our love; when there is no agreement in the objects of our love, its not riotous fellowship, but fellowship in the gospel that unites us, let us mind this same thing, and then we shall affect one another; and because our knowledge doth not extend to every particular alike, let ⟨p. 175⟩us agree in the main points, and let not less things break us off one from another. If we did walk according to our measure of knowledge in those things wherein we agree, between us and the Lutherans, would not be that bitterness of spirit that there is, all censures and distempers would cease, and its a •ault in many Christians, though bred up well in knowledge, yet being of a harsh spirit and nature, while he walks not according to the same rule, and minds not the same things in the main as he should do, he grows to be bitter, as for those that would be sincere, they must endeavour to be united in one, as they have one God, one faith, one baptism, for a Christian loves not to go to heaven alone; and when he is there, he knows he shall be one with Christ, and one with the holy Saints, and therefore will endeavour to be in perfect unity here, considering there is no good he hath, but he enjoys it as being a member of the body of Christ, he knows its a horrible thing, that members of the same body should fall out one with another, and therefore what shall separate or divide us? shall infirmities? Alas, we are all sick of this disease, veniam petimus damusque: are they too hot, we are too cold, why should we not stoop and yield? Christ he stooped from heaven to us. Shall errors? why the time will come, God will reveal himself more fully. Shall sin?
OBserve here, that wee are not only to walke sutable to others, but wee must minde the same thing that others of our profession doe:
We know what the Apostle saith, Gal. 6.1. ⟨p. 176⟩those that are spiritual must restore such with the spirit of meekness, we must not cut off members for every sore. Shall injuries? Its the honour of a man to pass by such, do we look Christ should forgive us, when we will not forgive others? consider it is the practice of all holy men; Paul became all things to all men, if by any means he might win some. Peter received reproof of him, yet fell not out with him: some there are of such a perverse spirit, as if they see in any one any infirmity, presently they break out into these or the like words. I will not be of that mans profession; thus forsaking all the good in the holy profession, because of some weakness in the professors.
Wee know what the Apostle saith, Gal. 6.1. ⟨p. 176⟩those that are spiri•uall must restore such with the spirit of meeknesse, wee must not cut off members for every sore. Shall injuries? Its the honour of a man to passe by such, doe wee looke Christ should forgive us, when wee will not forgive others? consider it is the practice of all holy men; Paul became all things to all men, if by any meanes hee might winne some. Peter received reproofe of him, yet fell not out with him: some there are of such a perverse spirit, as if they see in any one any infirmitie, presently they breake out into these or the like words. I will not be of that mans profession; thus forsaking all the good in the holy profession, because of some weaknesse in the professors.
If they will needs be separating, let them separate from the world, from scandalous, careless, riotous persons▪ else Satan rules in division, he knows he is best able to deal with them that are alone, and therefore draws Eve from Adam, and one Christian from another, and so quickly overcomes them. If in company one fall, another may help him up, if he be cold, another may warm him by exhortation and example.
If they will needs be separating, let them separate from the world, from scandalous, carelesse, riotous persons▪ else Sathan rules in division, he knowes hee is best able to deale with them that are alone, and therefore drawes Eve from Adam, and one Christian from another, and so quickly overcomes them. If in companie one fall, another may helpe him up, if hee be cold, another may warme him by exhortation and example.
Consider therefore who are best minded, and mind the best things with them: if we find we have attained to a greater degree in grace than others, endeavour to bring them to us, the Communion of Saints is an Article of our faith, every one believes it, but few knows what ⟨p. 177⟩it means, and therefore no marvel they desire it not.
Consider therefore who are best minded, and minde the best things with them: if we finde we have attained to a greater degree in grace than others, indeavour to bring them to us, the Communion of Saints is an Article of our faith, every one beleeves it, but few knowes what ⟨p. 177⟩it meanes, and therefore no marvaile they desire it not.
These words contain another exhortation, with a friendly compellation, which I pass over, having heretofore had often occasion to speak of it: the exhortation is to imitation of the Apostle, follow me. And because I cannot ever be with you, therefore follow those among you, that walk as I do.
THese words containe another exhortation, with a friendly compellation, which I passe over, having heretofore had often occasion to speake of it: the exhortation is to imitation of the Apostle, follow me. And because I cannot ever be with you, therefore follow those among you, that walke as I doe.
