A12197:576
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.
And when they have gotten a little grace how difficult is it ⟨p. 112⟩to keep it? to keep our selves in the sense of Gods love? To manage our Christian State aright? to walk worthy of the Gospel, that God may still do us good and delight to be present with us? What a great difficulty is it to be always striving against the Stream, and when we are cast back, to get forward still, and not be discouraged till we come to the haven? None comes to heaven, but they know how they come there.
And when they have gotten a little grace how difficult is it ⟨p. 112⟩to keepe it? to keepe our selves in the sense of Gods love? To manage our Christian State aright? to walke worthy of the Gospell, that God may still doe us good and delight to bee present with us? What a great difficulty is it to bee alwaies striving against the Streame, and when wee are cast backe, to get forward still, and not bee d•scouraged till wee come to the haven? None comes to heaven, but they know how they come there.
Now God will have it thus to sweeten heaven unto us;1 after a conflicting life peace is welcome, §1heaven is heaven indeed §2after trouble; we can relish it then. Because God will discard hypocrites, in this life; who take up so much of Religion, as stands with their case and credit in the world, avoiding every difficulty ⟨p. 113⟩which accompanies godliness, but so they may swim two ways at once, go on in their lusts still and be religious withal, this they approve of; therefore God will have it a hard matter to be saved to frustrate the vain hopes of such wretches Alas, it is an easy matter to be an hypocrite, but not to live godly.