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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 3: THE DIFFICULTY OF SALVATION.Sermon 3: THE DIFFICVLTY OF SALVATION.
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.
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the wicked and ungodly appear?
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the wicked and ungodly appeare?
BY righteous here,1 is meant that Evangelical righteousness which we have in the state of the Gospel, (namely) the righteousness of Christ imputed to us; for Christ himself being ours, his obedience and all that he hath, becomes ⟨p. 98⟩ou•s also; and whosoever partaketh of this righteousness which is by faith, hath also a righteousness of sanctification accompanying the same, wrought in his soul by the Spirit of God, whereby his sinful nature is changed and made holy: for if any man be in Christ he is a new creature. The same Spirit that assures us of our interest in Christ, purifies and cleanseth our hearts, and worketh a new life in us, opposite to our life in the first Adam, from whence flows new works of holiness and obedience throughout our whole conversation: There must be an inward inherent righteousness before there can be any works of righteousness; an Instrument must be set in tune before it will make music; so the Spirit of God must first work a holy frame ⟨p. 99⟩and disposition of heart in us, before we can bring forth any fruits of holiness in our lives; for we commend not the works of grace as we do the works of Art, but refer them to the worker: all that flows from the Spirit of righteousness, are works of righteousness. When the soul submits it self to the spirit, and the body to the soul, then things come off kindly. Take a man that is righteous by the spirit of God, he is righteous in all relations, he gives every one his due; he gives God his due, spiritual worship is set up in his heart above all; he gives Christ his due by affiance in him; he gives the holy Angels their due, by considering he is always in their presence, that their eye is upon him in every action he doth, and every duty he performs; the poor have