A12197:543
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
Sermon 2: THE UNGODLIES MISERY.Sermon 2: THE VNGODLIES MISERY.
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.
It is true,1 we cannot no more than we can obey the Law; nay, it is harder to obey the Gospel then to obey the Law in a mans own strength; for there are the seeds of the law in our nature, but there are none of the Gospel; that is •eerly supernatural; ⟨p. 83⟩the promises are above nature to apprehend them, therefore a supernatural strength is required to plant the excellent grace of faith in our hearts. But though we be as unable to believe and obey the Gospel as the Law, yet here is the difference; together with the unfolding of our miseries by the Gospel, the Spirit of God goes along to sustain us. The Law finds us dead, and gives us no strength, but leaves a man cursed still; the Gospel likewise finds us dead, but it leaves us not so, and therefore it is called the Ministry of the Spirit; 2Received you the Spirit by the Law, or by the Gospel? Gods blessed Spirit goes together with the sweet message of salvation and eternal life; and this Spirit doth not only open our understandings, but incline and bend our wills and aff•ctions to ⟨p. 84⟩embrace the truth that is offered. Seeing therefore the Spirit which accompanieth the Gospel, is mighty and powerful in operation, let none pretend impossibility; for though they find not the sweet blaze of the Spirit at the first or second hearing; yet let them still attend upon Grace, 3waiting at wisdoms gate, and the Angel will come at length and stir the waters; God will make the m•anes effectual first or last to those that in truth of heart seek unto him; for the Gospel is the Chariot of the Spirit, and the golden Conduit through which the Spirit runs, and is conveyed to us; therefore if thou wouldest not disobey the Gospel, withstand not the Spirit of God working by the same.4
It is true,