A12186:334
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.
Lastly,6 it is a great mystery, especially in respect of Faith it self; Faith being so contrary to the nature of man For the heart of man, where Faith is wrought, to go out of it self, and to embrace a beginning, and Principle, and rising of life, from another; to seek justification and salvation, ⟨p. 150⟩by the righteousness and obedience of another: for the proud heart of man to stoop to this, to acknowledge no righteousness of its own to stand before the Tribunal of God, but to have all derived from Jesus Christ; to fetch forgiveness of sins out of the death of another, to wrap it self in the righteousness and obedience of Christ, given of God for it; the heart of man, without a supernatural work of the Spirit to subdue it, will never yield to this, because proud flesh and blood will alway have somewhat in it self to dote upon, and to set it out before God; and when it finds nothing in it self, then it despairs: for the heart of man thus to go out of it self, and rely only upon the righteousness of Christ, not having its own righteousness; this is the greatest Mystery. Especially for a guilty Soul, that hath its eyes opened, to discern of its own estate; for a conscience awakened, to trust in God, being a holy God, a just God: for these two to meet together; God, and a doubting, galled, misgiving conscience, fore-casting the worst: for such a conscience to find peace, by this act of Faith casting it self upon Christ; this is more then can be done by any power of nature.
Lastly,6 it is a great mysterie, especially in respect of Faith it selfe; Faith being so contrarie to the nature of man For the heart of man, where Faith is wrought, to go out of it selfe, and to embrace a beginning, and Principle, and rising of life, from another; to seeke justification and salvation, ⟨p. 150⟩by the righteousnesse and obedience of another: for the proud heart of man to stoupe to this, to acknowledge no righteousnesse of its owne to stand before the Tribunall of God, but to have all derived from Jesus Christ; to fetch forgivenesse of sins out of the death of another, to wrap it selfe in the righteousnesse and obedience of Christ, given of God for it; the heart of man, without a supernaturall worke of the Spirit to subdue it, will never yeeld to this, because proud flesh and bloud will alway have somewhat in it selfe to dote upon, and to set it out before God; and when it finds nothing in it selfe, then it despaires: for the heart of man thus to goe out of it selfe, and rely onely upon the righteousnesse of Christ, not having its owne righteousnesse; this is the greatest Mysterie. Especially for a guiltie Soule, that hath its eyes opened, to discerne of its owne estate; for a conscience awakened, to trust in God, being a holy God, a just God: for these two to meet together; God, and a doubting, galled, misgiving conscience, fore-casting the worst: for such a conscience to find peace, by this act of Faith casting it selfe upon Christ; this is more then can be done by any power of nature.