A12184:645
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.
For the first, that Christ is in heaven, we have the Scripture to warrant it: but the text is pregnant herein, we look for him from heaven, ergo, he is in heaven.
For the first, that Christ is in heaven, wee have the Scripture to warrant it: but the text is pregnant herein, we looke for him from heaven, ergo, he is in heaven.
And therefore its a gross conceit of the Papists, that dream that his body is every ⟨p. 225⟩where in the bread, or with the bread, as the Lutherans would h•ve it: the scripture determines that the heavens must contain him, that he sitteth now on the right hand of God, that he shall hereafter come to judge, and therefore he is not now here; nay because he is not here, he sent us the comforter, the spirit, that shall lead us into all truth, as he himself expressly saith
And therefore its a grosse conceipt of the Papists, that dreame that his bodie is every ⟨p. 225⟩where in the bread, or with the bread, as the Lutherans would h•ve it: the scripture determines that the heavens must contain him, that he sitteth now on the right hand of God, that he shall hereafter come to judge, and therefore he is not now here; nay because he is not here, he sent us the comforter, the spirit, that shall leade us into all truth, as he himselfe expresly saith
Secondly, hence we may observe, that there is another coming of Christ, which yet is not fulfilled; there is a two-fold coming of Christ, one whereby he comes in the fl•sh, this was his first coming: the second coming is in triumph, when he shall perfect our salvation. This appeareth by the desires of the creature, Rom. 8. Secondly, by the faithful desires of his children, which cannot be in vain. Thirdly, to this end he took our flesh to draw us after him. Fourthly, to this end he left his spirit with us to testify it. Lastly, he hath left us his promises, and prophecies thereof, witnessed by the Angels, Acts 1. This Jesus shall so come, even as you have seen him go into heaven.
Secondly, hence wee may observe, that there is another comming of Christ, which yet is not fulfilled; there is a two-fold comming of •hrist, one whereby he comes in the fl•sh, this was his first comming: the second comming is in triumph, when he shall perfect our salvation. This appeareth by the desires of the creature, Rom. 8. Secondly, by the faithfull desires of his children, which cannot be in vaine. Thirdly, to this end he tooke our flesh to draw us after him. Fourthly, to this end he left his spirit with us to testifie it. Lastly, he hath left us his promises, and prophecies thereof, witnessed by the Angels, Acts 1. This Iesus shall so come, even as you have seene him goe into heaven.
Thirdly, that Christians do expect this coming of Christ, is evident out of the words from whence we look for the Saviour, saith the Text: the word look signifies an earnest expectation, implying faith, hope, and patience; faith is a ground of hope, supposing the promises which are grounded on an almighty ⟨p. 226⟩God of truth; now patience comes from hope, so as the word implies thus much: we hope, we believe, we patiently wait for the second coming of Christ. This is the disposition of every sound Christian, and it begins with the beginning of our new birth: for so (1 Pet. 1.3.) it is said, we are begotten to a lively hope: and (Titus 2.13.) the grace of God once appearing, teacheth to look for the blessed hope.
Thirdly, that Christians doe expect this comming of Christ, is evident out of the words from whence we looke for the Saviour, saith the Text: the word looke signifies an earnest expectation, implying faith, hope, and patience; faith is a ground of hope, supposing the promises which are grounded on an almightie ⟨p. 226⟩God of truth; now patience comes from hope, so as the word implyes thus much: wee hope, we beleeve, we patiently waite for the second comming of Christ. This is the disposition of every sound Christian, and it begins with the beginning of our new birth: for so (1 Pet. 1.3.) it is said, we are begotten to a lively hope: and (Titus 2.13.) the grace of God once appearing, teacheth to looke for the blessed hope.
1For as in nature, the seed desires growth, every thing desires perfection, so much more in grace; where once it is settled, it continually desireth a more perfect estate, until the coming of Christ, when it cometh to the top and pitch thereof.
1For as in nature, the seed desires growth, every thing desires perfection, so much more in grace; where once it is setled, it continually desireth a more perfect estate, untill the comming of Christ, when it commeth to the top and pitch thereof.
1Secondly, there is such a relation betwixt Christ and us, we being contracted to him here, as there is a continual longing for the consummation of this marriage, even as the time between the contract and the marriage is a continual longing.
1Secondly, there is such a relation betwixt Christ and us, wee being contracted to him here, as there is a continuall longing for the consummation of this marriage, even as the time betweene the contract and the marriage is a continuall longing.
1Thirdly, our estate here is a warring and laborious estate, and a painful service, and therefore what marvel if a Sabbath, a peaceable, victorious, and triumphant estate be sweet, and to be desired.
1Thirdly, our estate here is a warring and laborious estate, and a painfull service, and therefore what marvaile if a Saboth, a peaceable, victorious, and triumphant estate bee sweet, and to be desired.
1Hence we may learn, that the estate of the children of God here is imperfect, for they are under hope of a better estate; before Christs time, they expected the first coming of Christ: so it is said of Abraham, that he longed ⟨p. 227⟩to see Christs day. Now after Christs first coming, we look after his second coming when we shall be perfected; and thus the souls in heaven, are in expectation of a further happiness.
1Hence we may learne, that the estate of the children of God here is imperfect, for they are under hope of a better estate; before Christs time, they expected the first comming of Christ: so it is said of Abraham, that he longed ⟨p. 227⟩to see Christs day. Now after Christs first comming, we looke after his second comming when we shall be perfected; and thus the soules in heaven, are in expectation of a further happinesse.
And this is the reason of the contrarieties of §2estate that are in a Christian. He rejoices because he is under hope, but he sorrows because he hath not already obtained the thing he hopeth for; he rejoiceth because of his assurance, but sorroweth because of the crosses he daily meets with; rejoiceth in the communion of Saints, but woe is me that I dwell in Meshek. We are Kings, but over rebels; Prophets, but have much ignorance, for we see but in part; Priests, but daily polluted with the soil of this world, and therefore do stand in need of continual washing.
And this is the reason of the contrarieties of §2estate that are in a Christian. Hee rejoyces because he is under hope, but he sorrowes because he hath not already obtained the thing he hopeth for; he rejoyceth because of his assurance, but sorroweth because of the crosses hee dayly meets with; rejoyceth in the communion of Saints, but woe is me that I dwell in Meshek. We are Kings, but over rebels; Prophets, but have much ignorance, for we see but in part; Priests, but daily polluted with the soile of this world, and therefore doe stand in need of continuall washing.
Thirdly, this expectation is not only a §3work of ours, but a grace wrought in us by Christ, by virtue of the covenant, for God fits us with graces that have reference to our future happiness, and it arises from love and patience, grounded upon assurance of an end and glorious issue, Christ knew we were to meet with enemies, and therefore gives us hope as an helmet and an anchor to keep us from shipwreck, for he is a Saviour as well in saving us here from despair, as hereafter from hell.
Thirdly, this expectation is not onely a §3worke of ours, but a grace wrought in us by Christ, by vertue of the covenant, for God fits us with graces that have reference to our future happinesse, and it arises from love and patience, grounded upon assurance of an end and glorious issue, Christ knew wee were to meet with enemies, and therefore gives us hope as an helmet and an anchor to keepe us from shipwracke, for hee is a Saviour as well in saving us here from despaire, as hereafter from hell.
This lastly, may serve for a trial of our §4estates, for many that think themselves to be ⟨p. 228⟩good Christians, think with Peter it is good being here, its good for them to be in this world, they fear the coming of Christ, the very thought thereof destroys all their mirth, it is to them like the hand writing on the wall to Balthasar. The child of God is of another disposition, he is begotten to this hope, his desire is accordingly, his endeavour and labour is by any means to attain to the resurrection of the dead.
This lastly, may serve for a triall of our §4estates, for many that thinke themselves to be ⟨p. 228⟩good Christians, thinke with Peter it is good being here, its good for them to bee in this world, they feare the comming of Christ, the very thought thereof destroyes all their mirth, it is to them like the hand writing on the wall to Balthasar. The childe of God is of another disposition, hee is begotten to this hope, his desire is accordingly, his indeavour and labour is by any meanes to attaine to the resurrection of the dead.
1To which I answer, it is true; but it is caused by their careless carriage, and yet ever there is a spirit in them, to endeavour to do something that may prepare for his coming: but a strong Christian hath ever this desire, and if he be a mortified and growing Christian he never wants this hope, and comfort, and earnest longing, and therefore his prayer ever is; Come Lord Jesus.
1To which I answer, it is true; but it is caused by their carelesse carriage, and yet ever there is a spirit in them, to indeavour to doe something that may prepare for his comming: but a strong Christian hath ever this desire, and if hee bee a mortified and growing Christian hee never wants this hope, and comfort, and earnest longing, and therefore his prayer ever is; Come Lord Iesus.
Fourthly, we may observe out of the words; where this hope is, and this expectation, it stirs up and quickens the soul to a holy conversation, it is propounded here as a ground of the Apostles holy conversation.
Fourthly, we may observe out of the words; where this hope is, and this expectation, it stirres up and quickens the soule to a holy conversation, it is propounded here as a ground of the Apostles holy conversation.
For it stirs us up to be pure, even as he is pure, as it is (1 Joh. 3.3.) For we are a holy Spouse, and there will shortly come the marriage day, and fitting it is that we prepare our selves fitting for such a husband. Thus it was ⟨p. 229⟩with the concubines of Akashuerosh, though a temporal and earthly King, yet the custom was, they should be twelve months before they came to the King: and much more should it be our duty, ever more to be prepared to come into the presence of our eternal heavenly King to meet with the bridegroom, because we know not how soon it may be, that he will come and send his Angels for us, to appear before him in glory, to call us to the wedding.
For it stirres us up to be pure, even as hee is pure, as it is (1 Ioh. 3.3.) For wee are a holy Spouse, and there will shortly come the marriage day, and fitting it is that wee prepare our selves fitting for such a husband. Thus it was ⟨p. 229⟩with the concubines of Akashuerosh, though a temporall and earthly King, yet the custome was, they should bee twelve monthes before they came to the King: and much more should it be our dutie, ever more to bee prepared to come into the presence of our eternall heavenly King to meet with the bridegroome, because we know not how soone it may be, that he will come and send his Angels for us, to appeare before him in glory, to call us to the wedding.
Secondly, this hope will stir us up to do all good duties, and to right performance of good duties,§2 to do all things sincerely, as in the presence of God our judge: And therefore not only the duty of preaching is urged upon Timothy, but the manner, 2 Tim. 4. Who is charged by the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge all at his appearing, that he should preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long sufferance. And the Apostle Peter having declared the second coming of Christ, thence infers; what manner of men ought we to be in all godly conversation? 2 Pet. 3.11.) And indeed, meditation of the principles of Religion, will inform us well in the manner of our duties, as in the nature of them, and thus shall we be fruitful in particulars, according as our meditations are directed though the principle matters and objects of our meditation are but few.
Secondly, this hope will stirre us up to doe all good duties, and to right performance of good duties,§2 to doe all things sincerely, as in the presence of God our judge: And therfore not only the duty of preaching is urged upon Timothy, but the manner, 2 Tim. 4. Who is charged by the Lord Iesus Christ, who shall judge all at his appearing, that he should preach the Word, bee instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long sufferance. And the Apostle Peter having declared the second comming of Christ, thence inferres; what manner of men ought wee to be in all godly conversation? 2 Pet. 3.11.) And indeed, meditation of the principles of Religion, will informe us well in the manner of our duties, as in the nature of them, and thus shall we be fruitfull in particulars, according as our meditations are directed though the principle matters and objects of our meditation are but few.
