A12197:479
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.
Again, decay in our first love is a sign of judgement approaching;1 God threatened the Church of Ephesus to remove his Candlestick from among them, for their decay in their first love; that having surfeited of plenty and peace, he might recover her taste by dieting of her; decay in love proceeds from disesteem in judgement; and God cannot endure his glorious Gospel should be slighted, as not deserving the richest strain of our love; the Lord takes it better, where there is but little strength and a striving to be better, then when there is great means of grace and knowledge, and no growth answerable, but rather a ⟨p. 34⟩declining in goodness. I beseech you lay these things to heart; The Lord is much displeased, when Christians are not so zealous as they should be; when there is not that sweet communion of Saints among them, to strengthen and encourage one another in the ways of holiness as there might be; when there is not a beauty in their profession to allure and draw on others to a love & liking of the best things; when there is not a care to avoid all scandals that may weaken respect to good things, and bring an evil report on the ways of God; when they labour not with their whole hearts to serve the Lord in a cheerful manner, &c.2 The very not serving God answerable to encouragements, is a certain sign of ensuing danger.3
Againe, decay in our first love is a signe of judgement approaching;1 God threatned the Church of Ephesus to remove his Candlestick from among them, for their decay in their first love; that having surfetted of plenty and peace, he might recover her tast by dyeting of her; decay in love proceeds from disesteeme in judgement; and God cannot endure his glorious Gospel should be slighted, as not deserving the richest streyne of our love; the Lord takes it better, where there is but little strength and a striving to be better, then when there is great meanes of grace and knowledge, and no growth answerable, but rather a ⟨p. 34⟩