A12186:516
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 therefore if we would glorify God, we must redeem some time to think of these things, and bestow the strength of our thoughts this way; the soul being the most excellent thing in the world, it is fit it should be set on the excellentest duty, man being in such an excellent condition, being heir of heaven, and having an understanding soul, it is fit the most excellent part, of the most excellent creature should be set upon the most excellent object. Now, the ⟨p. 244⟩most excellent part of the soul, is the understanding, it kindles all the affections, and leads all the rest, therefore let us take some time to meditate, and think of these things. What we are by nature, and the misery we are exposed to by sin, that whatsoever we have more then hell, is more then we deserve: and then withal, think what we are advanced to in Christ, what we are freed from, that cursed condition, and what we shall be freed from, the sting of death, and all that we fear for the time to come, think of what we are freed from, and what we are advanced to, and by whom, by God becoming man; a mystery that might, nay, that doth ravish the very Angels themselves; God-man now in heaven, making good what he did on earth, by his Intercession, and then the ground of all, the infinite love, and mercy, and bounty of God, to poor distressed man. The thought of these things, will inflame the heart: now, they never work upon the heart thoroughly, till they end in admiration, and indeed the Scripture sets it down in terms of admiration, So God loved the world, So, how? So as I cannot tell how, I cannot express it, and, What love hath God showed us, that we should be called the sons of God? And then the fruits that we have by this Incarnation of Christ and by his death, they are admirable: Peace that passeth understanding, joy unspeakable, and glorious, so that the mystery is wonderful, and the dignity wonderful, and the fruits, the comfort, and peace, and joy wonderful, every thing is an object ⟨p. 245⟩of admiration; therefore when we think, and meditate of these things, let us never end, till our souls be wound up to admiration of the excellent love of God. We wonder at things that are new, and rare, and great: is there any thing more new, and rare, then that, that never was the like; for God to become man?