A12184:666
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.
The observation is,1 that Christ is a Saviour, and the Saviour by way of excellency: he saves all that are of his mystical body, from all evil, and preserves them to all good, he saves their bodies and their souls now from the power of all evil, and hereafter he will free them from all evil, he is the everlasting Saviour, while we live here his blood runs continually, this is the fountain opened for the house of Judah, for sin and uncleanness, in it are we cleansed from the guilt and damnation of sin, what would we have more? We are kept by faith to salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. Let ⟨p. 232⟩this raise up our souls Are we swallowed up with the sense of any misery? Let us know that we trust a Saviour that is every way absolute, that invites those that are sick with sin, to come unto him: and how can we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. Heb. 2.3. Away therefore with all •opish conceits of meriting by our works. All glory must be given only to his mercy, all that he did for us was to the glory of his grace, Ephes. 1.6.
The observation is,1 that Christ is a Saviour, and the Saviour by way of excellencie: he saves all that are of his mysticall body, from all evill, and preserves them to all good, hee saves their bodies and their soules now from the power of all evill, and hereafter hee will free them from all evill, he is the everlasting Saviour, while we live here his bloud runnes continually, this is the fountaine opened for the house of Iudah, for sinne and uncleannesse, in it are we cleansed from the guilt and damnation of sinne, what would wee have more? Wee are kept by faith to salvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. Let ⟨p. 232⟩this raise up our soules Are wee swallowed up with the sense of any miserie? Let us know that we trust a Saviour that is every way absolute, that invites those that are sicke with sinne, to come unto him: and how can wee escape, if wee neglect so great salvation. Heb. 2.3. Away therefore with all •opish conceipts of meriting by our works. All glorie must bee given onely to his mercie, all that hee did for us was to the glorie of his grace, Ephes. 1.6.
Lastly, this should comfort us when we think of the last day, to think withal, that he shall be our judge that is our Saviour, and therefore should cast away all terror from us, knowing that our head will not destroy his members, but that he our husband being a great King, will also crown us his spouse with a glorious crown, therefore when we see the fore-going signs come to pass, let us lift up our heads, knowing our redemption draweth near.
Lastly, this should comfort us when wee thinke of the last day, to thinke withall, that he shall be our judge that is our Saviour, and therefore should cast away all terrour from us, knowing that our head will not destroy his members, but that hee our husband being a great King, will also crowne us his spouse with a glorious crowne, therefore when wee see the fore-going signes come to passe, let us lift up our heads, knowing our redemption draweth neere.
To go on in the next place, Christ is not only our Saviour, but he is our Lord: wherein we may see the Apostles Christian wisdom, he useth such titles as may most of all strengthen his faith and affection of the present meditation, which being a point of the resurrection, a thing seeming contrary to reason, to flesh and blood: he strengthens himself in this consideration, that he is the Lord, who ha•h all power and authority committed to him, Math. 28.18.
To goe on in the next place, Christ is not only our Saviour, but he is our Lord: wherein we may see the Apostles Christian wisedome, hee useth such titles as may most of all strengthen his faith and affection of the present meditation, which being a point of the resurrection, a thing seeming contrarie to reason, to flesh and bloud: hee strengthens himselfe in this consideration, that he is the Lord, who ha•h all power and authority committed to him, Math. 28.18.
Secondly, he is Lord by title of redemption▪ so as we are no more our own but his, for he hath bought us with a price.
Secondly, he is Lord by title of redemption▪ so as we are no more our owne but his, for he hath bought us with a price.
Fourthly, he is Lord over his Church by marriage, he is our husband, governing his Church with sweetness and love.
Fourthly, hee is Lord over his Church by marriage, hee is our husband, governing his Church with sweetnesse and love.
He is also the Lord by way of excellency above others, depending on no creature, he is Lord of Lords.
He is also the Lord by way of excellencie above others, depending on no creature, hee is Lord of Lords.
Secondly, he is Lord of body and soul, and conscience, punishing with terrors here, and damnation hereafter.
Secondly, he is Lord of body and soule, and conscience, punishing with terrors here, and damnation hereafter.
Thirdly, he is Lord eternal, he endures for ever and cannot die.
Thirdly, he is Lord eternall, hee indures for ever and cannot die.
Fourthly, he is such a Lord, as cannot abuse his authority, he cannot tyrannize, his grace and virtue, are of equal extent with his power.
Fourthly, he is such a Lord, as cannot abuse his authority, he cannot tyrannize, his grace and vertue, are of equall extent with his power.
Fifthly, he is a holy Lord, holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbath, that is Lord of hosts.
Fifthly, he is a holy Lord, holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabboth, that is Lord of hosts.
In all these, he is far above any earthly man, yea above all creatures. And therefore, its a sweet estate, to be under government and rule. They then that are Lords here on earth, must consider though they rule and are above others, yet are they under the Lord: thus did Joseph. Therefore they must rule, but in the Lord, it is his will, that must rule their wills.
In all these, hee is farre above any earthly man, yea above all creatures. And therefore, its a sweet estate, to bee under government and rule. They then that are Lords here on earth, must consider though they rule and are above others, yet are they under the Lord: thus did Ioseph. Therefore they must rule, but in the Lord, it is his will, that must rule their wils.
Secondly, this should comfort Christians: that they have such a Lord, as is Lord of Angels, at whom the devils tremble: whom ⟨p. 234⟩storms, winds, seas, sickness, death, and all creatures do obey. Yet we cannot challenge this comfort, but upon condition of our obedience: the Apostle joins Lord and Saviour together, to show that he is a Saviour only to those that take him for their Lord, to govern and rule them; as he is our Priest, he must also be our King, he comes by water to purge and wash us, as well as by blood to suffer for us. The wicked they will not have this man rule over them, but they shall not say nay, God will be a Lord over them, ruling by his power, with a rod of iron he will bruise them in pieces, none shall deliver them. If we will avoid this miserable estate, let us make him Lord in us: thus shall we crown him, and then he will crown us with himself.
Secondly, this should comfort Christians: that they have such a Lord, as is Lord of Angels, at whom the divells tremble: whom ⟨p. 234⟩stormes, windes, seas, sicknesse, death, and all creatures doe obey. Yet wee cannot challenge this comfort, but upon condition of our obedience: the Apostle joynes Lord and Saviour together, to shew that he is a Saviour onely to those that take him for their Lord, to governe and rule them; as he is our Priest, he must also be our King, he comes by water to purge and wash us, as well as by bloud to suffer for us. The wicked they will not have this man rule over them, but they shall not say nay, God wil be a Lord over them, ruling by his power, with a rod of iron hee will bruise them in peeces, none shall deliver them. If we will avoid this miserable estate, let us make him Lord in us: thus shall we crowne him, and then he will crowne us with himselfe.
The words are plain, and shall need no exposition: therefore we will briefly come to the doctrines.
THe words are plaine, and shall need no exposition: therefore wee will briefly come to the doctrines.
And first, we may observe hence That our bodies are base: and thus are the bodies not only of wicked profane men,1 but of the servants and dearest children of God, all are vile, and that in these respects.
And first, we may observe hence That our bodies are base: and thus are the bodies not onely of wicked prophane men,1 but of the servants and dearest children of God, all are vile, and that in these respects.
