A12184:72
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.
In regard of themselves also they are Dogs, rotten in nature, corrupt in life, filthy in their own Courts: devouring their own vomit, and God justly punishing them, by suffering of them to heap up wrath in store, 2 Pet. 2.22. and to return with the sow that was washed, to wallow in the mire of corrupt courses. Hence we may observe, and see, what a man is now brought to by sin: he that would be like to God, is justly compared to the beasts that perish. Now all by nature are no better than dogs, who are all for their bellies, for present contentments, an envious and currish disposition against any that shall endeavour to cross them in their unlawful lusts: and that rule of reason which should over-rule him, and amend him, he so abuses it, as thereby he is made more like a Devil than a Dog. Would we be then ⟨p. 25⟩changed, let us attend on that word, that is able of Lions to make Lambs, it can cleanse us throughout. Joh. 15.3. It sanctifies and alters us. Moral precepts may restrain and alter outward practises; the Word that alters the condition and nature of men, it is the word of him that works all with his spirit. And therefore take heed of them, and deal not more with them than thou must needs. They will fawn, they will not be dogged at the first, but till Religion altereth him, assuredly he hath a currish nature. But to proceed. He saith not only, beware of Dogs in general; But beware of these Dogs, of the Concision, and these also ought we to beware of, for there is a perpetual l•t•er of them: though those that the Apostle spake of are gone, yet the same spirit is now a days in many; fawners they are, and flatterers, yet do they bark at Protestants: and of this sort are our Jesuited Papists and Seminaries. Our Fathers were troubled with them: let these take heed, for were these men dogs that press Circumcision with Christ; and shall not such be also, that press merits with Christ, Saints with Christ, and equal traditions with the Word of God. The dogs in St. Pauls time, had some excuse: Circumcision they urged, but it was first founded by God; but these men out of their own brain endeavour to establish fancies: and where they cannot prevail by conference, they by scattering of Books seek to accomplish ⟨p. 32⟩