A12184:692
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.
We must therefore moderate our affections to the best things of this life: health is changeable and will not continue, beauty is a flower of a stalk, the flower quickly fades away and perisheth, the stalk that is more base continues longest, flesh is grass either cut down by violent dearth, or if by age, the longer it lives the baser it is, and increases continually therein till death, when as it is most base.
Wee must therefore moderate our affections to the best things of this life: health is changeable and will not continue, beautie is a flower of a stalke, the flower quickly fades away and perisheth, the stalke that is more base continues longest, flesh is grasse either cut downe by violent deart, or if by age, the longer it lives the baser it is, and increases continually therein till death, when as it is most base.
It is therefore foolish for any to swell because of beauty or strength, which at the best, are but curious excellencies of a base body: and far more sottish are they, that think to resist old age and Gods decree, by trimming up and painting a withered stock, this is not the way to conquer vileness. But if we will be rid thereof, labour for the meat that perisheth not, Joh. 6.27. But that which maketh us endure to everlasting life, is with Mary to choose the better part, that shall not be taken away: meat for the belly, and the belly for meat, but God shall destroy both the one and the other.
It is therefore foolish for any to swell because of beautie or strength, which at the best, are but curious excellencies of a base bodie: and farre more sottish are they, that thinke to resist old age and Gods decree, by trimming up and painting a withered stocke, this is not the way to conquer vilenesse. But if we will be rid thereof, labour for the meat that perisheth not, Ioh. 6.27. But that which maketh us indure to everlasting life, is with Marie to chuse the better part, that shall not be taken away: meat for the belly, and the belly for meate, but God shall destroy both the one and the other.