An exposition of the third chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the…

Name: An exposition of the third chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the…
Author: Richard Sibbes

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.

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In the next place, the consideration of Gods Almighty power, should teach us not to be dejected or cast down, at the reports of the afflicted state of the Church abroad, it should bring us rather to God, to rely upon his goodness and power, for God is ever God almighty, and the same merciful God that ever he was, and therefore we should pray for the Church the more instantly, that God would give them beauty instead of ashes, we should urge him with his promise of building up and defending of his ⟨p. 255⟩Church, and destroying of Antichrist, and let us make the resurrection of the body a ground to strengthen us in the belief thereof, as the return of the children of Israel from Babylon, was sealed by the resurrection of the dry bones, Ezek. 37. as also the Apostle from the resurrection of the dead, gathereth that God by that power, hath and will deliver him. 2 Cor. 1.9, 10.

In the next place, the consideration of Gods Almightie power, should teach us not to be dejected or cast downe, at the reports of the afflicted state of the Church abroad, it should bring us rather to God, to rely upon his goodnes and power, for God is ever God almighty, and the same mercifull God that ever he was, and therfore we should pray for the Church the more instantly, that God would give them beautie instead of ashes, wee should urge him with his promise of building up and defending of his ⟨p. 255⟩Church, and destroying of Antichrist, and let us make the resurrection of the body a ground to strengthen us in the beleefe thereof, as the returne of the children of Israel from Babylon, was sealed by the resurrection of the dry bones, Ezek. 37. as also the Apostle from the resurrection of the dead, gathereth that God by that power, hath and will deliver him. 2 Cor. 1.9, 10.

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Furthermore, when we are oppressed with any §7extremity, though never so great, by continual meditation of his promises, we should strengthen our selves, and apply them to our present estate and condition, knowing that he that raised us out of dust, will not suffer us to be buried in misery, but will with the trial give us a gracious issue at the last, by raising up our bodies at the last day by his almighty power, which made also the Patriarch Abraham to hope above hope: what though our helps be few? its no matter what the instrument is, so as Christ is the chief worker.

Furthermore, when wee are oppressed with any §7extremitie, though never so great, by continuall meditation of his promises, wee should strengthen our selves, and apply them to our present estate and condition, knowing that he that raised us out of dust, will not suffer us to bee buried in miserie, but will with the triall give us a gracious issue at the last, by raising up our bodies at the last day by his almighty power, which made also the Patriarch Abraham to hope above hope: what though our helpes be few? its no matter what the instrument is, so as Christ is the chief worker.

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In the next place, This should encourage us, to §8stand out stead fast in a good cause for the truth; do not think with our selves, alas I am but one, and a weak silly man; what can I do against a multitude? let not such thoughts discourage thee: think of Luther a poor Monk, who alone set himself against the whole world, and wrought that effect, that we have all cause at this day to honour the memory of him: it is not thou, but God in thee, that is able to confound all thine enemies, and therefore with ⟨p. 256⟩Moses, behold him that is invisible.

In the next place, This should incourage us, to §8stand out sted fast in a good cause for the truth; do not think with our selves, alas I am but one, and a weake sillie man; what can I doe against a multitude? let not such thoughts discourage thee: thinke of Luther a poore Monke, who alone set himselfe against the whole world, and wrought that effect, that wee have all cause at this day to honour the memorie of him: it is not thou, but God in thee, that is able to confound all thine enemies, and therefore with ⟨p. 256⟩Moses, behold him that is invisible.

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Yet further, this should be observed by a Christian, as a ground of his perseverance to the end: for when we know we are Christians, what can bereave us of our blessings? what can make our faith fail? its Gods power that will keep us to salvation, and he that believeth shall have life, and shall not come into condemnation, Joh. 6.39, 40.44.47. and many other places; and Christ by his almighty power sways all our life, to our building up to salvation, and therefore in contraries we should believe contraries, that death will work life, misery happiness, corruption incorruption, and this vileness glory; for its Gods order to work by contraries, that his power might the more appear.

Yet further, this should bee observed by a Christian, as a ground of his perseverance to the end: for when wee know we are Christians, what can bereave us of our blessings? what can make our faith faile? its Gods power that will keepe us to salvation, and he that beleeveth shall have life, and shall not come into condemnation, Ioh. 6.39, 40.44.47. and many other places; and Christ by his almighty power swayes all our life, to our building up to salvation, and therefore in contraries we should beleeve contraries, that death will worke life, miserie happinesse, corruption incorruption, and this vilenesse glorie; for its Gods order to worke by contraries, that his power might the more appeare.

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And at the hour of death then behold him that is thus able and all-sufficient; that shall presently glorify our soul, and at length will raise up our body also, and unite it to our soul, to partake with it in glory and happiness, that will then quit us of all sin, corruption, death, change, all our enemies shall be trodden under our foot, and all this by his almighty power, whereby he is able to do far above that we are able to think; and therefore let us with a holy admiration thereof, say with the Apostle, (Ephes. 3.20.) To him be glory for evermore. Amen.

And at the houre of death then behold him that is thus able and all-sufficient; that shall presently glorifie our soule, and at length will raise up our bodie also, and unite it to our soule, to partake with it in glorie and happinesse, that will then quit us of all sinne, corruption, death, change, all our enemies shall bee troden under our foote, and all this by his almightie power, whereby he is able to doe farre above that wee are able to think; and therefore let us with a holy admiration thereof, say with the Apostle, (Ephes. 3.20.) To him be glorie for evermore. Amen.

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FINIS.

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