A12186:147
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.
And shall we think so great a Mystery as this was for small purpose?1 2That the great God should take upon him a Piece of Earth? That he should become a poor and weak man? The immortal God to take upon him our flesh, and to dye? That he whom Heaven and Earth cannot comprehend, should be enclosed in the Womb of a Virgin? For him to be so abased, as there was never any abasement like unto Christs,3 because of the greatness of his Person? If Angels had done so, alas, they were inferior creatures, they were servants to God: but for the Son of God to take our nature, when it was so low! for so excellent a Person, to be abased so low! There was none ever suffered that, that God in our flesh suffered: For, as communion with his Father, was sweeter to him, then to all men besides; so, for him to want communion with his ⟨p. 58⟩Father upon the Cross, when he cried, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? It was the greatest abasement to him, being the most sensible of it; therefore there was no suffering, like that of Christs. And shall we think, so great a matter was for small purpose; for little sins, or for few sins only? Oh no; it was to give a foundation to our Faith, in all extremity of temptations;4 to stay our Conscience, in the guilt of great and crying sins. Oh, despair not, despair not; this Great Mystery the Apostle speaks of, for the great God to become man, it was for great sins; that, where Sin hath abounded, Grace might super-abound: God intended in this, to set down the accusing Conscience, to quiet and still it. God is offended, it is true; but, God manifest in the flesh, hath made reconciliation, and satisfaction: He was a Sacrifice for sin, and God will answer God. God the Son, will answer the displeasure of God the Father, because he is appointed to this Office by him:5 He is set forth, as it is Rom. 3. to be the propitiation. Therefore in all risings of Conscience in the time of trouble, in the hour of death, let us remember this Great Mystery, God manifest in the flesh. Gods purpose in this, was to triumph (as it were) over all the clamours of Conscience whatsoever; over all things that Satan object what he will, here is a shield put into the hand of Faith, to beat back all his fiery darts.