A12186:118
Light from heaven discovering the fountain opened. Angels acclamations. Churches riches. Rich poverty. In…Light from heaven discovering the fountaine opened. Angels acclamations. Churches riches. Rich povertie. In…
Light from heaven discovering the fountain opened. Angels acclamations. Churches riches. Rich poverty. In four treatises. By the late learned and reverend divine, Rich. Sibs, Doctor in Divinity, Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher at Gray's-Inn. Published according to the authors own appointment, subscribed with his hand; to prevent imperfect copies.Light from heaven discovering the fountaine opened. Angels acclamations. Churches riches. Rich povertie. In foure treatises. By the late learned and reverend divine, Rich. Sibs, Doctor in Divinitie, Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher at Grayes-Inne. Published according to the authors owne appointment, subscribed with his hand; to prevent imperfect copies.
London: printed by E. Purslow and Richard Badger for N. Bourne, 1638
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.
First,1 in it self, it is not to be doubted of; it is a great grounded Truth, as lightsome and clear, as if the Gospel were written with a Sunbeam, as one saith: There is nothing clearer, and more out of controversy, then sacred Evangelical Truths.
First,1 in it selfe, it is not to be doubted of; it is a great grounded Truth, as lightsome and cleare, as if the Gospel were written with a Sunnebeame, as one sayth: There is nothing clearer, and more out of controversie, then sacred Evangelicall Truths.
- 1In it sel•e.
And as they are clear and lightsome in themselves,2 so they are apprehended of all Gods people; how-ever it be controverted by others, yet they are not considerable: All that are the children of the Church, that have their eyes open, they confess it to be so, and wonder at it, as a Great Mystery; they without all doubt, and controversy, embrace it. Things are not so clear in the Gospel, that all that are sinful, and rebellious, may see whether they will or no: For then it were no great matter to have Faith, it were no great matter to be a Christian; and then men could not be rebellious, because things would be so clear. Things are not so clear in the Gospel, that they take away all rebellion; and that it is not a grace, to see that they are clear; to those that are disposed, and have sanctified souls, they are without controversy; and things are said to be in Scripture, as they are to those that are holily disposed. ⟨p. 44⟩The immortality of the soul, it is clear by reason, from Nature: yet notwithstanding, ill disposed souls will not be convinced of the souls immortality, but live and dye like Atheists, in that particular. The reason is clear, but it is not clear, to a lumpish ill-disposed perverse soul. Therefore, God doth carry the manifestation of Evangelical Truths especially, that they may be clear to those whose eyes are open, and not to others; not because they are not clear to them, if their eyes were open; but because they oppose them, and raise up rebellion, and stubbornness of heart against them. It is an undeniable argument, to prove the Scripture to be the Word of God, to a well-disposed soul; but come to another, and he will never leave cavilling. Yet a man may say, without controversy it is the Word of God, because it is so to a sanctified soul; other persons are not considerable in divine things: Therefore the Apostle speaks of them, as they are to Gods people, without controversy. Hence then we may know, who is a true Christian; he that brings a firm assent to Evangelical Truths, that they are Great without controversy.