A12191:264
The riches of mercy In two treatisesThe riches of mercie In two treatises
The riches of mercy In two treatises: 1 Lydia's conversion. 2. A rescue from death. By the late learned, and reverend divine, Richard Sibbs, Doctor in Divinity. Published by the authors own appointment, and subscribed with his own hand to prevent imperfect copies.The riches of mercie In two treatises: 1 Lydia's conversion. 2. A rescue from death. By the late learned, and reverend divine, Richard Sibbs, Doctor in Divinitie. Published by the authors own appointment, and subscribed with his owne hand to prevent imperfect copies.
London: printed by John for Francis Eglesfeild, 1638London: printed by Iohn for Francis Eglesfeild, 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.
Why doth he begin with transgressions against the first table, and then iniquities the breach of the second?
Why doth hee begin with transgressions against the first table, and then iniquities the breach of the second?
Because all breaches of the second table issue from the breach of the first a man is never unjust to his neighbours,1 that doth not rebel against Gods will in the first table, and the foundation of obedience, & duty to man, it riseth from mans obedience ⟨p. 28⟩to God. Therefore the second table is like the first that is, our love to our neighbour is like to our love of God, not only like it but it springs from it: for all comes from the love of God, therefore the first command of the first table runs through all the Commandments, Thou shalt honour God; and honour man, because we honour God. A man never denies obedience to his superior to the magistrate, &c. but he denies it to God first, a man never wrongs man, but he disobeys God first, Therefore the Apostles lay the duties of the second table in the ⟨p. 29⟩Scriptures upon the first, Saint Paul alway begins his Epistles, with the duties to God, and religion and when he hath discharged that he comes to parents, and masters, and children, and servants, and such particular duties, because the spring of our duty to man, is our duty to God, and the first justice is the justice of religion to God, when we are not just to give God his due: thereupon come all breaches in our civill conversation, and commerce with men, for want of the fear of God, men do this, as Joseph said, how shall I do this and offend God? and ⟨p. 30⟩Abraham he had a conceit they would abuse his wife, Surely the fear of God is not here, therefore he thought they would not be afraid to do any thing, he that fears not God if opportunity serve, he will not be afraid to violate the second table he that fears God he will reason, how shall I do this, to wrong another in his name, and reputation, or in his estate, & sin against God? for I cannot sin against man, but I must first sin against God, that is the reason he sets it down thus, transgressions and iniquities.