A12184:488
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.
And therefore, let us read these often, and consider them: they are an excellent glass, that will transform us into an holy form and fashion; many things there are in him that are extraordinary, and not imitable, he wrought in another calling for his living, he was an Apostle, had extraordinary gifts by revelation, and indeed not so much by study, as the Ministers of the Gospel now, to whom God gives gifts, but in the faithful and painful use of the means, and therefore are they not bound ⟨p. 179⟩to imitate the Apostle in this thing, as in other things which he did as an Apostle.
And therefore, let us reade these often, and consider them: they are an excellent glasse, that will transforme us into an holy forme and fashion; many things there are in him that are extraordinarie, and not immitable, he wrought in another calling for his living, he was an Apostle, had extraordinarie gifts by revelation, and indeed not so much by studie, as the Miniters of the Gospell now, to whom God gives guifts, but in the faithfull and painfull use of the meanes, and therefore are they not bound ⟨p. 179⟩to imitate the Apostle in this thing, as in other things which he did as an Apostle.
But to proceed to particulars;1 imitation implies four things: First, a doing that which another doth. Second, a doing it in the same manner. Third, a doing thereof grounded upon the same affections: not as in a stage play, where he that acteth the person of a King, is often a varlet, but it implies such an imitation as is in a child, that endeavoureth to be like the father in disposition, as well of mind as of body. Fourth, it implies a doing, studio imitandi, with an earnest desire to be like him, for he that doth that which God commands, and not as expressing his desire of imitation, he is no follower, and therefore in all our actions we ought to desire to be like God, and endeavour to express in action, what we desire, and to this end we are to search for examples and patterns in the Scripture, for those that are more excellent; for the most excellent in all kinds, are the best rules for others: and because in many things we offend all, let us follow the examples of men no further than they follow Christ,