A12186:745
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.
1You see from hence likewise, that grace is no enemy to good works: neither the freedom of Gods favour: being without any merit on our part; nor the knowledge and assurance of salvation: it is no enemy to diligence and to good works, nay it is the foundation of them. The Apostle doth not use it here as an argument to neglect good works; no he stirs them up by it. If any thing in the world will work upon a heart that hath any ingenuity, it is the love, and favour, and grace of God: the love of Christ constraineth, the love of Christ as known it melts the heart: The knowledge of the grace of Christ, it is very effectual to stir us up, as to all duties, so especially to the duty of bounty and mercy: for experience of grace, it will make us gracious, and kind, and loving, and sweet to others. Those that have felt mercy, will be ready to show mercy: those that ⟨p. 59⟩have felt grace and love, they will be ready to reflect, and show that to others that they have felt themselves. Those that are hard hearted and barren in their lives and conversations; it is a sign that the Sun of righteousness never yet shined on them. There is a power in grace, and grace known to assimilate the soul to be like unto Christ, it hath a force to stir us up to that that is good. Tit. 2.11.12.2 The Apostle enforceth self-denial, a hard lesson, and holiness to God, justice to others, and sobriety to our selves. What is the argument he useth? The grace of God hath appeared. The grace of God hath shined, as the word signifieth. He means, Christ appeared, but he saith, The grace of God hath appeared; when Christ appeared, grace appeared. Christ is nothing but pure grace clothed with our nature. What doth this appearing of grace teach us? To deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live holily, and righteously, and soberly, &c. Holily, and religiously in regard of God; justly, in regard of men, and not only justly, but bountifully: for bounty is justice. It is justice to give to the poor, With hold not good from the owners, they have right to that we have. Grace when it appears in any soul, it is a teacher, it teacheth to deny all that is naught, and it teacheth to practise all that is good; it teacheth to live holily and righteously in this present evil world Many men like the Text thus far, The grace of God bringeth salvation: Oh it is a sweet Text!