PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes — Volume 4
Richard Sibbes · 362,113 words · 363 reading sections
Section 181
But how are we changed into the likeness of Christ ? How come we to be like him ? ; When once we believe in Christ, we are graft into the similitude of his death, and into the likeness of his resurrection. It is a point somewhat mystical, yet it is stood upon in the Scriptures, in Kom. vi. especially, at large. How c…
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So by the virtue of his resurrection I am conformable more and more to the graces in him ; for as the power of God's Spirit raised him up when he was at the lowest, when he had been three days in the grave, so the Spirit in every Christian raiseth them up at the lowest to comfort, to a further degree of grace, more and…
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Use 2. Again, that we may be changed into the likeness of Christ, let us fix our meditations vpon him, and we shall find a change we know not how, insensible. As those that stand in the sun for other purposes, they find themselves lightened and heat [ed]; so let us set ourselves about holy meditations, and we shall fin…
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* That is, == ' conveyed.' — Ot. ABOVE THE I.AW. 2G9 (5.) Again, in that Christ is the image to which we are changed, let us learn, if we would see a)njthiur/ excellent and comfortable in ourselves, see it in Christ first. There is nothing comfortable in man but it is in Christ first, as the first image, the first re…
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Therefore let us be in love with this glass above all other glasses what- soever. Nothing can change us but the gospel. The gospel hath a chang- ing power, as you have it Isa. xi. G, seq. : there the lion shall feed with the lamb,' &c. ' For the whole earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,' ver. 9. The knowl…
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For, beloved, as there must be a change, so it is in this order, from be- holding the mercy of God in Christ. For can jon imagine that any soul can see itself in the glass of God's love in Jesus Christ, that it should see in the gospel Christ, and in him God reconciled unto him in particular, but that soul, out of the …
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ABOVE THE LAW. 273 * iu lioliness and righteousnes all the days of our life.' Wliosoever, there- fore, are in a state of deliverance, have grace granted them whereby they may serve God in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life ; they are changed into the same image, ' From glory to glory.' By glory is…
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[1.] Grace whereby we resemble Christ is glory, and indeed so it is, for the image and lilencss of God is our f/lory. What was Adam's glory but his likeness to God? He was created in God's image. And what is our glory ? To be like Christ. Therefore grace is our glory. [2.] Man's perfection is his f/lory. But the renew…
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276 EXCELLENCY OF THE GOSPEL be, to the subjection of the Spirit of glorj-, to the Spirit of Christ in him. Though old Adam stir in him, yet he brings him down, that he doth not discover himself to the scandal of the gospel and profession, and to the weakening of the love of good things in the hearts of others. It sha…
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Hence it is that the wise man saith, that ' the righteous is more excellent than his neighbour.' He is more glorious than another man, as pearls are above pebbles. He is more excellent in life, in death, and after death especially ; for there is a growing from glory to glory. He is glorious in life, more glorious in de…
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Use 3. Again, is grace glory? JVhen God sets in\ on ns, shall we cast our crown in the dirt? Shall we defile and blemish our glory by sinning against conscience ? We forget our excellency, that grace is glory. It teacheth us how to carry ourselves to ourselves. If there be grace in us, let us be honourable to ourselves…
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2S0 EXCELLENCY OF THE GOSPEL will not be outsliined by anything. Therefore, those that can sec so far into the Hfc of another man, as they love it, and honour the grace of God in another man, it is a sign there is some work of glory begun in them. Men can endure good things in books, and by reports, and good things of…
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' From glory to glory.' Grace, ".we see, is glory, especially when it is in strength ; and the more grace grows, the more glory. The more it shines, the more glory. We say of fire, the more it burns the less it smokes ; the less infirmity appears that may disgrace it, the more grace. The more light and lustre, and the…
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And likewise, as there is a growth in intension and extension, so there is a growth in the quality and purity of grace ; for the longer a man lives, those graces that he hath grow more refined. When a Clnistian is but a new Christian, he tastes much of the old stock. As all fruit at the first will taste of the stock, s…
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deal of wit to be a Christian' (/), it requires a. great deal of wit and study to hold a man on in Christianity. And for a man to be strong against temptations and the world, whether it frown or fown, that he cares for neither, but holds his own, is not this a glorious thing ? When a man shall carry himself as a lion,…
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And to encourage us here, grace begun hath the same name as grace perfect. Both are glory. Why doth God call them by one name ? To encourage Christians. He tells them that if it be begun it is glory, not that it is so properly, but if it be begun it shall never end till it come in heaven. Therefore God styles grace in …
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There be degrees of glory. There is glory begun hero in grace, and there is the glory of the soul after death, and the gloiy both of soul and body for ever in heaven, and these make way one to another. A Christian is glorious while he lives, and he grows in glory while he lives. He is more glorious when he dies, for th…
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The more we grow in grace, the more God smells a sweet sacrifice from us ; that that comes from us is more refined and less corrupt. It yields better acceptance to God. And then for others, the more we grow in grace, the more we grow in ability, in nimbleness, and cheerfulness to do them good ; and that that comes fro…
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VOL. rv. T 290 EXCELLENCY OF THE GOSPEL we have, and esteems us by that condition ho moans to bring us to ere long to perfection. So long as we take not part with our corruptions, but with the Spirit of God, and give way to him, and let him have his work in us ; so long be of good comfort in any measure of grace what…
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Those that care not what company they keep, those that despise the image of Christ in those among whom they live, can they grow in grace ? We shall give account of all the good examples we have had. Doth God kindle lights for nothing ? We should glorify God for the sun and moon and stars, and other creatures. Is not a…
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* Even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' * As ' here is taken according to the phrase in the Greek ; and there is the like word in the Hebrew. It signifieth likeness and similitude some- times, and sometimes otherwise.* It is not here meant as if we were like the Spirit of the Lord, but this change is wrought even as by …
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294 EXCELLENCY OV THE GOSPEL God tho Spirit doth the other. Yon liavo all the three persons in this place, for wo sc^e the glory of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost shining in Jesns Christ. Christ is the image according to which we are changed. The Spirit is ho that changeth us according to that image. God shews hi…
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I beseech you, in your daily practice, all learn this, that you trust not too much to any outward performance or task ; to make idols of outward things. People when they would change their dispositions, and be better, they take a great deal of pains in hearing, and reading, and praying. All these are things necessary ;…
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A man now in the state of grace must look for nothing from himself ; for as we are saved altogether out of ourselves by Christ the mediator, so the fitting for that glorious salvation that we have purchased by Christ, it is by the Spirit. The working of our salvation is by God, and the assurance of it to our souls is b…
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298 EXCELLENCY OF THE GOSPEL thing supernatural. Therefore if we will profit by the word, come not with presumptuous spirits, but lift up our hearts to God, that his Spirit may clothe the ministry with vigour and power, that he may convey holy truths into our hearts, and make them effectual for the changing of the inw…
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Therefore, let no man think he hath anything to do in rehgion till he find the work of the Spirit altering and changing him. He hath the title of Holy Spirit, from the blessed work of sanctifying and changing : he doth change us. (4.) And when he hath changed us, he rjorerns and fiitides iis from glory to glory. Where…
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If we have not the Spirit, how shall we come to have the Spirit ? What means must we use to get it ? In a word, this chapter excellently sets out that, for, [1.] The gospel is called the ministry of the Spirit ; for the opening of the love of God in Christ, which is the gospel, is the ministry of the Spirit. Why ? Bec…
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302 EXCELLENCY OP THE GOSPEL learn to give the Spirit liis duo, anti learn how to make use of the work of the Spirit. There are several works of the Spirit. You see here what the Spirit doth, ' We all.' The Spirit unites us together. It is a Spirit of union. It knits all together hy one faith to God. All meet in God t…
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Now this double revelation challengeth acknowledgment of these blessed times. What should all this do but stir us up to know the time of our visitation, and to thankfulness ; to bless God that hath reserved us for these places and countries that we live in, to cast our times to be in this glorious light of the gospel t…
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ABOVE THE LAW. 305 times, when there was no day but the Ancient of Days : no good but God : no light but the Fatlier of Lights : Arts were but ideas ; the world a map of Providence ; heavens, the book in folio : earth, water, air, and fire, in quarto : hell, tlio dooms- day pageant : men and angels but capital letters…
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2. But then for the life. Alas ! how many think the work is done when the glass is out (c) ; how many are good in the doctrine, bad in the applica- tion, especially to themselves ; how hard is it to have life in doctrine, and doctrine in life ! It is easier to preach twenty sermons than to mortify one lust. It was a ha…
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We shall say no more, but entreat thee to consider this treatise as a posthiane.* The notes were taken from his mouth by the pen of a ready writer, and a person of note and integrity, whose design is not to forge a piece under the author's name. The very style and matter is so like his other pieces, we hope the legitim…
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The god of this world. What ! doth he put God out of his place ? No ; but the world maketh him so, namely, a god, by doing that to Satan, partlj^ in himself and partly to his instruments, that they should do to God. The}' are at his beck, and run at his command ; he leadeth them by worldly profits and pleasures, as a s…
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Second, The end of this light is, not to shine in our hearts to no pm'pose, but to shine in our hearts that ive may shine to others ; that we may prove the light we have, that shineth to us in darkness, to convey the knowledge of God to all. What knowledge ? The knowledge of Christ, and saving knowledge ' in the face o…
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Reason 8. And God created it first, that it might discover itself and all other things. It was j^rimum visihile, that made all others seen. What had the beauty of the creatures been if light had not been created ? They had all been covered in darkness. What end had there been of the eye and colours ? Indeed, there is n…
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So you see what manner of worker God is in the creation, although independent, that can do all things at a word, with ease, without influence, without help. He dependeth not on matter as we do, that can do nothing without matter and subject to work upon, but he can work his own matter, can raise things out of nothing. …
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Would you know how ? ' Strong is the Lord that judgeth his,' Rev. xviii. 8. He answereth an objection. Oh, but she flourisheth, and hath many princes, emperors, potentates, and strong arms of flesh to support her. ' But strong is the Lord that hath spoken it,' and can do it. If God will consume her, who can support her…
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VERSE 6. For God, u'lio commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to (live the light oj the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The apostle labours, in the beginning of the chapter, to remove an impu- tation cast upon the gospel, as if it were not true doctrine. B…
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Now Christ must be made kno\vn, his face must be shewed, and therefore there must be a hght to make known the face of God in Jesus Christ, Religion is the way of God, the end especially in these sweet attributes, and these must have a ministry. God hath ability at call, to give the light of the knowledge of these excel…
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1. One is more excellent than the other, that is, by speech, which is an excellent manifestation. 2. And then by vision. 3. And then by dreams, as in old time. 4. And then by miracles, of which he wrought many. 5. And by sacrifices, as the passover. 6. And last of all, by types. All these ways God manifested hims…
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There be three or four things in the Scripture that set out this great mystery. As, 1, Christ is called the character of the Father, y^a^axT'/j^ rrji l-7roGTd(rsu;, Heb. i. 3. They difier in this, that they be not the same in personal subsistence. They be Father and Son, one in essence ; in love to mankind all one ; on…
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82G COMMENTARY ON to give liiin \o be a curse for us, to satisfy bis justice in tliat luannor ? It is a niysti'iy that rcquiruth a lar<^e time, for herein shineth tlio gh)riou8 mercy of God, but especially Christ's love in giving of himself, and tho Father's in giving him. So you seo how the glory of God shineth in Je…
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2. There must be a likeness ; because by Christ we have the Spirit to renew us, to make us savour the things of God, to love the things God loveth, to hate the things God hates. Now, a sanctified soul delights in communion with God, a carnal man hates it ; the more holy anything is, the more he distastes it. 3. Again,…
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' The glory of God that shineth in the face of Jesus Christ.' Therefore, I beseech you, let us now value and esteem the great mystery of the incar- nation and Christ crucified, because Christ is the common centre of heaven and earth, in whom we all concentre : Father, Son, and Holy Ghost meet in Christ the Mediator. Th…
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These words contain the chief cause of all spiritual light, which is God, who by the same power by which he ' commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shincd into our hearts,' or rather by a greater, because here is more opposition, and no help at all from nature to spiritual things, not BO much as a seed of …
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This is a very comfortable and useful point in the great mystery of * That is, ' standing.' — Ed. t Qu. ' He was iirst the Son of God'? — G. 332 COMMENTARY ON Christ anil f^lorificalion, to know the foundation of God's love to us. It is seated on Christ first, and then it cometh to us; nay, and through Christ, in Chr…
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Now our natures are in Christ lovely to God, because our flesh is in him pure, sanctified, and separate from all sin ; so that he loveth our natures. And the nature of God, before opposite, is now lovely to us, because God dwells in our nature, as the apostle saith, bodily, that is, fully. Col. ii. 9. Now God in our na…
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Use 1. I beseech you, therefore, labour for hioidedfje of God ' in the face of Jesus Christ,' and to grow in it every day more and more. ' Without knowledge the soul is not good,' Prov. xix. 2. The soul is dark, and therefore those that be enemies of knowledge, are enemies to the salvation of God's people. They are ene…
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Quest. But how shall ive conic to this knovcledrje? Sol. God shines not into tho brain, but into the very heart of his ministers, that they may give the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Doct. So that the end of God's shining on his ministry is, that they may shine on others. So then, if you ask what is …
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It is strange that Paul, so holy a man as he was, should desire the Romans, chap. xv. 30, * to pray and strive with God in prayer for him.' ' I VOL. IV. y 888 COilSIENTAHY ON beseech 3»ou,' I conjure you, ' by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Spirit, that you strive to God for me.' Note. The devil sets ii…
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Consider it is our calling. We are all prophets, all anointed. A Chris- tian hath an high calling ; but specially consider what we do believe by the ' communion of saints ;' and what we pray for, when we say, ' thy king- dom come,' that is, that faith may reign in our hearts and minds. Shall we say, let thy kingdom com…
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Therefore if we will make men leave sin on good gi'ounds, teach the gospel ; else we shall bring them into a civil* compass which is good, and I would there were more of it ; but we should not rest there. Holy duties, and abstaining from gross sins, is a great deal more groundedly enforced from the gospel than the law.…
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842 COMMENTARY ON bo a poor despised man. It is true, but I carry the excellent treasures of tlio love of God in Christ; nay, wo carry it in earthen vessels; but it is a treasuix', though in earlhen vessels, though conveyed by despised persons. And God hath a wise end in it. I look to God's end ; which is, that in the…
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[1.] How precious is faith, that layeth hold of aU the graces in Christ, and makes them our own ! [2.j What precious grace is love, that makes us to deny ourselves and communicate ourselves to the good of others ! A world of good a loving soul can do. [3.] And so the hope of life, what an anchor it is to stay the sou…
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2 CORINTHIANS CHAP. IV, VER. 6. 3-45 more, and still they be unsearchable. 'Neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive of the excellent things in Christ,' 1 Cor. ii. 9. They transcend the capacity of the soul, which no other treasure can do. 4. And then they have anoth…
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(2.) And for the servants of God, take Moses and St VauL What was the judgment of Moses ? In comparison, the worst things that can be in Christ and religion are better than the best things that can be in the world. What are the worst things ? Shame and reproach, together with poverty, and the like; but the 'reproach of…
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Use 2. Quest. But how shall ice know whether ice have interest and por- tion in these excellent treasures, ay or no ? Ans. [1.] We may see our interest in tJiem, especially by our esteem of them. If they be presented to our souls indeed as God doth, and as Christ and the word of Christ presents them, then it is an arg…
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I beseech 3'ou, therefore, labour more and more, that as things are in themselves, and as God who is the rule of all truth doth judge of things, so let us judge of things, let them be to us as they are to him, and as they are in themselves. If they be treasures, the blessings and comforts of God's Spirit and the good t…
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The little we have we shall have with a blessing. And then though we be never so poor in the world, we are rich in promises. Rich faith we have to make use of these rich promises. Precious faith, and precious promises. We have bills, and God is a good paymaster, and is content to be sued on his own bond. We cannot have…
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It should be our daily task to empty ourselves, by our daily consideration * Misiirinted ' and.' — G. 352 COMMENTARY ON of our own wants ami siufulncss, and then to fetch a fresh supply from the thi'one of grace. It is with a Christian's heart, as a vessel that is full of something it Bhould not he. So when men's he…
990 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1862); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.