A12197:143
The saints safety in evil times Delivered at St Mary's in Cambridge the fifth…The saints safetie in evill times Delivered at St Maries in Cambridge the fift…
The saints safety in evil times Delivered at St Mary's in Cambridge the fifth of November, upon occasion of the Powder-Plot. Whereunto is annexed a passion-sermon, preached at Mercers Chapel London upon Good-Friday. As also the happiness of enjoying Christ laid open at the funeral of Mr Sherland late recorder of Northampton. Together with the most virtuous life and heavenly end of that religious gentleman. By R. Sibbes D.D. master of Katherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher at Gray's-Inn London.The saints safetie in evill times Delivered at St Maries in Cambridge the fift of November, upon occasion of the Povvder-Plot. Whereunto is annexed a passion-sermon, preached at Mercers Chappel London upon Good-Friday. As also the happinesse of enjoying Christ laid open at the funerall of Mr Sherland late recorder of Northampton. Together with the most vertuous life and heavenly end of that religious gentleman. By R. Sibbes D.D. master of Katherine-Hall in Cambridge, and preacher at Grayes-Inne London.
London: printed by M. Flesher for R. Dawlman, 1634
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.
Because he that truly hates one sin,1 will hate all the kinds of it, both come from the same love of God: he that loves God as he should, will hate whatsoever God hates: and have respect to all Gods Commandments (as the Psalmist speaks) partial obedience,2 is indeed no obedience at all: for he that obeys one, and not another, obeys not simply because of the Commander to yield obedience unto him: but only to satisfy his own corrupt nature, picking and choosing what pleases himself, which belongs not to an inferior, but to a superior to do: And therefore, such make themselves gods, in that they single out easy things that do ⟨p. 119⟩not oppose their lusts, which are not against their Reputation, &c. and therein perhaps they will supererogate, and do more than they need, only because they will have a compensation with God, that he should quit with them for other things: I have done that, and therefore he must bear with me in this. Oh, but there is no compensation here; a man is never so straitened but he may escape without sin: there is no pretence will serve: but we must abstain from every evil work: Satan keeps many men in his snare by this, and so he hath them safe in one sin, he cares not: therefore he will suffer them to hear, read, and pray, &c. holding them fast in one reigning sin, wherein he will let them alone till the time of some great affliction, or death; and then he will ⟨p. 120⟩roar upon them. Oh beloved, we cannot provide worse for our own souls, than to cherish a purpose of living in any one sin, for that is enough for the devil to hold his possession in us by, and at the hour of death to claim us for his own. If we regard any iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear our prayers, 3I beseech you therefore let us labour to have clear consciences, freeing our selves from a purpose to live in any sin; that in all our slips and failings we may say with an honest heart My purpose was not to do this, but to refrain from wickedness.