PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes — Volume 5
Richard Sibbes · 354,580 words · 358 reading sections
Section 61
For whom I have suffered the loss of all things. !" Here St Paul confirms his resolution and judgment of the value of Christ above all other things ; first, he said he accounted him gain, and all other things loss. Lest men should think these were but brags, he infers* he had sufi"ered the loss of all for him, and ther…
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4. Fourthly, He is of that precious virtue, as he turns all to gold ; all things are sanctified to us, death, grave, crosses, all which, though we be not freed from, yet he turns them all to work our good. 5. Fifthly, By him toe are made heirs, and have title to all things. He is our Lord ; and he that hath given Chri…
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4. The fourth and last general observation is, that when we have parted with all, toe are to know that we are gainers. For Christ in Mark x. 30 saith — whose promises are yea and amen — that he shall have a hundred- fold in this life ; that is, so much content as shall be worth an hundredfold. For when a man's conscien…
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Then, in the next place, let them know they have an everlasting gain, that will comfort us for ever and ever. In the last place, such as have won CJirist, they have such a gain as maJccs them that have him truly rich, and noble, and good. Other riches without grace do corrupt us. The image of God is the true and intrin…
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In the fourth place, Let us consider limo this heing in Christ is a ground of doing of all duty. I say therefore it will direct us in duties to God, towards men, and to ourselves. First, In duties towards God, hoiv thanlful ought we to he to him, for taking us to himself, for being Immanuel, God with us, so that we ar…
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But that which is through the faith of CJtrist, the righteousness ivhich is of God hg faith : that I may knoiv him and the poivcr of his resurrection. That is, that righteousness which is in Christ, but laid hold on of me * That is, ' the birth takes of the womb.' Cf. Ps. sli. 5.— G. 96 EXPOSITION OF and apprehended …
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Use 2. In the second place, this will teach us that we are not to fear any- thlnrf that xve shall suffer, because there are more with us than against us. Joseph in the dungeon, Israel in Egypt, Daniel among the lions, the three children in the fire, Paul in prison, feared not danger ; for what cared they so long as the…
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First, Consider that there is a happy estate reserved hereafter, which begins with the resurrection of the body, whereby we are far more happy than the angels that fell, and also more happy than we were in our fii"st estate in Adam, which we lost ; and therefore our hearts should be enlarged with thanks to God, that re…
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100 EXPOSITION OF What if \vc part wltli tliom ? If it be for liis cause, ho will bring us to a better life which shall not ho taken away from ns, and this life we must part with ere long. And thus wo ought to work on ourselves, by often meditating of them, as the saints have done. 4. In the fourth place, We are to I…
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But why or how is it that there is no perfection of grace in this life ? Because there is and ever shall be in us, duri)ig this life, a perpetual combat between the flesh and spirit, so as one weakens and hinders the other. Paul at the best found a law in his members w^arring against the law of his mind, Rom. vii. 23 …
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But how shall Ave come to this grace ? I answer, Get first faith ; for by it the weak are made strong, Heb. xi. 35, seq. Get assurance that heaven is thine ; and God hath promised thee grace sufficient, and this is Paul's argument : ' Be ye constant and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing you…
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Doct. Christ he first apj)rchends us when we apprehend him. He appre- hends us that we may apprehend him, and because he hath apprehended us, therefore is it that we apprehend him. For ' in him it is that we live, and move, and have our being,' Acts xvii. 28 ; and therefore much more our best being. He it is that gives…
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In regard of the object, for that Christ is so full, that we are not able to receive all his fulness, so as there is imperfection in us, and superabundant perfection iu him. Paul had a large atfection, yet came far short. This possibility of the soul to receive more will be in us, till we be in heaven, where we shall b…
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Pmi.IPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VER. 14. 107 corruption of our place, time, and calling, which in time will jn'ow unsnp- portiablc to us. Let us desire no more than God gives ; and what aftlictionB God sends us, let us take, assuring ourselves they arc for our good. 2(Z Direct. A second law is, to consider the ways that ive a…
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2. The next law is, that ice vuist look to gain ground still, to grow from grace to grace. It is the apostle's aim still to grow better than himself. Contrary to this many forsake their first love. They think themselves wise, but are fools, such as the Lord will spew out of his mouth, as he threatens the Church of Laod…
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3. Thirdly, Take ive heed of ill and dull company, that are cold in religion, that cannot away with good religious duties. For as it is in our ordinary travels, good company makes time and way pass away speedily and with comfort ; so it is in this race, good and gracious company by exhortation and example do wonderfull…
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Use 1. And therefore, we must not rest in tlieae horroived words, but ever know that the thing that is described goes beyond the description by any earthly similitude. Doct. From the thing observe that God hath reserved a happy estate for such Christians as are elected to run in this race, that are fitted to it, and t…
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Use 2. But to proceed in the next place : This is a prize of calling. We must be called to it. Who can take a calling on him, unless God calls him ? And who can be enabled but those that he enables ? This calling of his is the beginning of his golden chain of salvation. He calls us from a cursed estate to a happy commu…
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But to proceed. This is the calling of God ; for by nature we are dead, and it can be none but God that re\ives the dead. God, together with the voice of his ministers, sends his quickening Spirit ; giving eai's to hear, and understandings to understand. Again, We are not only dead, hut in thraldom under the devil. It…
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4cth Sign. Fourthly, A perfect Christian hath siveet communion ivith Christ, and can go to God ivith holdness, without fear of judgment or terror of his presence. Whereas the weakest are driven to God by fear, others by hope, this man comes to God, being moved by a sweet disposition of love. 5th Sign. Fifthly, A stron…
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2. In the next place, whatsoever we do, let us lalour to do it with the hest advantage, labouring to practise and exercise as much grace, and as many as we can ; as in giving, give in zeal to God's honour, in love, in mercy towards our brother that is in need, and in regard of justice we owe it to him. God hath command…
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2. Secondly, Ministers, ivhen they come to preach, mzist pray that God ivoidd take aiuay the veil from the peoples ears and hearts ; and people lohen they come, let them pray that God ivould open their hearts, and not come in the strength of their own wit, knowing that God openeth and shutteth : none can open or shut t…
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PHILirriANS CHAP. Ill, VER. 16. 119 VERSE 16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk Inj the same rule. The word ' nevertheless,' some read it * only ' (m), as if it were a con- dition. But it implies both a precept and a condition, shewing that those that look for revelation of farther knowledge…
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Ohj. But loose persons will say. Oh, this is an unpleasant course ; we must bid all joy farewell when we come to this. Ans. I answer. No. The ways of wisdom are ways of comfort and plea- sure. God approves of them, and our consciences will tell us so, and thereby will fit us for life or death, and will so settle us, t…
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If they will needs be separating, let them separate from the world, from scandalous, careless, riotous persons, else Satan rules in division. He knows he is best able to deal with them that are alone, and therefore draws Eve from Adam, and one Christian from another, and so quickly overcomes them. If in company one fal…
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PHILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VER. 17. 123 viore plainly , how to do them. Thirdly, they shew how graceful and accept- able they are lohen they are done. So as the Scriptures arc not penned alto- gether in a commanding fashion, but have mingled sweet alluring examples. For there are four ways of teaching : rule, reason, simi…
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7. And in the seventh place. In things whereof there is no certain rule to direct tis, we ottght to imitate the example and custom of the most holy and sober sort. As in apparel much question is, what sort, what fashion is most to be imitated, let the most sober and moderate of thine own rank be guide unto thee. It is …
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Reason 1. The reasons hereof are, because they are Jed hy the Spirit of Christ, who was all made of compassion ; for he wept for his friends, for Lazarus, and for his enemies. ' 0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you, and you would not.' He was tender in bearing the infirmities of his weak disciple…
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And whereas they say they do add, they take nothing from the suffi- ciency of Christ : — I answer, Circumcision was added here by those, who are notwithstand- ing condemned. For as to join poison with wholesome meat takes away the nourishment of the meat, so if we be circumcised, Christ shall profit us nothing ; and g…
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PHILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VER, 19. 129 which saves them ; and therefore they must needs be destroyed. This made the apostle judge of them thus, and withal he saw they were void of grace, and were incorrigible. And from hence we may infer. That we may in some sort jiidc/e of the spiritual estate of men, even while they a…
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As it vfas then, so now is it with the papists, their successors. All the differences in religion between them and us, are by them grounded on the belly. That is the monarchy of the pope, and worldly pomp, and masses invented for idle priests, Latin prayers, little or no preaching ; only that the people being ignorant,…
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* That is, = nurse = coufirm — G. 132 EXPOSITION OF w'orldh', and to follow their belly, it calls them back with a ' but know for all this, God will bring thee to judgment ;' which, duly pondered, cannot but be as a hook in our jaws to bring us back to a more diligent watch over our ways. And whose glory is in their…
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2. Secondly, We should be content icith the judgment and approbation of God, and hearken to the admonitions of his ministers, and care not for the censures of the world. • 3. Thirdly, Take we heed of the first beginnings and motions of sin ; at the first they are ever modest. The worst man that ever was, was not shame…
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4. To conclude. Let us so use them as they he helpers of us to a better life, not hinderers ; for we are in an estate between two, in a warring and con- flicting estate, even as a piece of iron between two loadstones, and know not which way to lean ; and yet may offend in the excess of either side. PHILIPPIANS CHAP. I…
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Fifthly, They speah one language, the language of Canaan. The language of the beast they abhor. And lastly, Tl\eir carriage is aliJce. Grave like citizens of heaven, their faces are still as they were going to Jerusalem, their continuing and abiding city ; for while they are in this life, they are still as it were in …
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And to this end, amongst many other, observe with me these following directions. 1st Direct. First, For a preparation, hear the word of God ; for by this we are in heaven in part already. For where the word is preached, there is the presence of the blessed Trinity, and the holy angels bringing down heaven itself to us…
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7th Direct. Lastly, We must endeavour to make a spiritual use of all things as God doth. Doth God send crosses on us ? Then before they leave us beg a blessing, that they may work his intended effect in bettering us. Doth God bless us with prosperity ? Pray that God would sanctify it to encourage us on to good duties, …
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Reason 2. Secondly, TJiere is such a relation hetivixt Christ and us, we 'being contracted to him here, as there is a continual longing for the consum- mation of this marriage ; even as the time between the contract and the marriage is a continual longing. Reason 3. Thirdly, Our estate here is a warring and lahorious …
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Thirdly, This hope and expectation will stir us up to pray for the con- summation and hrinfjlnf] to pass the performance of all those j^romises tvhich are to be pcrformnl before the coming of Christ, as that the gospel should be preached in all places ; that the conversion of the Jews might be hastened, and the downfal…
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Secondly, He is Lord of bodij and soul and conscience, punishing with terrors here and damnation hereafter. Thirdly, He is Lord eternal. He endures for ever, and cannot die. Fourthly, He is such a Lord as cannot abuse his authority. He cannot tyrannise. His grace and virtue are of equal extent with his power. Fifthl…
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Quest. But it will be said, Ai'e the bodies of Christians base, for whom Christ shed his most precious blood ? Ans. I answer. While we live here, we are in no better condition than others, as concerning our bodies. Hezekiah is sick ; Lazarus hath his sores ; David and Job troubled with loathsome diseases ; and thus it…
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2. Secondly, Out of the words we may observe, iliat these vile bodies of ours shall be chaju/ed. This we receive as an article of our faith ; and yet were it believed truly as it ought, it would work a strange alteration in the minds and manners of men^ contrary to that they are now ; and howsoever it is not embraced, …
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Use 3. Thii'dly, Let us labour to assure ourselves of our parts in this change, in this resurrection. This we shall know if we find Christ's Spirit in us. The same Spirit that raised up him, if it be in us, will raise us up also, Rom. viii. 11. For the first resurrection is an argument of the second ; and he that finds…
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Then, in ihe fourth place, we shall be m. loerfect strength. Here we con- tract to ourselves weakness by every little thing, as alteration of air, study, and the like ; there the body shall be enabled to every thing. But here we are weak, unfit, and soon weary of any duty, soon tired in prayer, weary in hearing, so as …
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According to the ivorking whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself. The word that is translated ' working,' may and doth signify power; and so it was ti'anslated heretofore, and is to be [so] meant* {tld). But the words being plain, we will come to some observations. Doit. 1. And first of all observe, …
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By this means also ive may try our profession. Do we come by iaiih and religion, with pleasure and ease '? Alas ! this is no sign of any power- ful strong work in us. It is easy to go to church to hear the word or read it, to receive the sacraments. Contrarily, if we find an inward change, that our hearts are so altere…
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NOTES. {a) P. G4. — ' Doubled. . . , Sometime for emphasis sake, as Christ did often, "Amen, amen," and "in dying thou shalt die."' The 'Amen, amen' {afiriv, dfiTiv) is rendered by ' Verily, verily,' throughout the Gospel of John in our English PniLII'PIANS CHAP. III. 153 Bible. Cf. i. 51, iii. 3, 5, 11, aud frequeu…
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154 EXPOSITION OF PHILIPPIANS CHAP. III. sative proposition here, on wliicli consult the very able Treatise of Professor Harrison on ' Tlio Greek Prepositions' (riiilailelpbia, 1858, 8vo). (v) P. 123. — 'Maxima debctur puero revercntia.' This trite quotation is from the 14th Satyre of Juvenal. The wliolo passage read…
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* Cf. note, Vol II. page 3.— G. 158 THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. of readers. Having found this to be your honour's honour, and let it still be, to content yourselves with humble knowledge, cordial respect, and vital expressions of received truths ; that you are not in number with those that change their judgments, and I f…
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Thine in the hearty desire of thy spiritual welfare, Akthur Jackson.* * Of. Note Vol. II. page 442.— G. *^* The other sermons of ' Evangelical Sacrifices ' will be found in their proper places in the present and subsequent volumes. Meantime, with reference to those commemorative of the ' Gunpowder Plot,' and Jackson…
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St Paul then in these words, and in the verse before, sets down three reasons why his course is opposite to the course of wicked men in his time. 1. First, My city is in heaven, and my conversation is answerable. I take a contrary course, for I am a citizen of another city. ' 2. And then another reason is, his hope a…
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And then they are vile after death. As we were taken out of dust at the first, so we return to dust again ; and if these bodies be not transformed to be like the glorious body of Christ, they are most vile of all. The spirit of despair, the spirit of anger, that is in reprobate persons, how doth it dis- figure their fi…
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THE KEDEMPTION OF BODIES. 105 Bhall ' change,' he shall not abolish our vile bodies. This is the action that our blessed Saviour will exercise upon these vile bodies ; they shall be changed. Man is the most changeable creature in the world, for soul and for body too. Take him in his soTil, how many states is he in ? …
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Therefore let iis look to him, and be thankful to God for him. When we thank God for ourselves, let us thank God first for giving Christ, who is the pattern to whom we are conformed. Let us give thanks for him, as St Peter doth, ' Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,' 1 Peter i. 3. If he had not been hi…
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Quest. Wherein shall this glory of our bodies consist ? Ans. Especially in these six endowments. Our bodies be now vile and perhaps inqwrfect. They want a member, a sense, or a limb. Our bodies then shall be perfect, even as Christ's body is. Those martyrs that have been dismembered shall then have perfect bodies. Let…
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Christ's sake, tliat tlicy may be thus glorious. Let us abase them in labour and pains in our calling ; in suflering, ayc do no more than he did for U3 first. Was not his body first vile and then glorious ? And do we think that our bodies must not be vile before they be glorious ? Not only vile whether we will or no, b…
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Quei^t. But how shall any Christian know that his body shall be like to the glorious body of Christ ? Ans. 1. I answer, He may know it from this : The change of a Chris- tian heriins in his soul. Christ begins the change of our souls to be like his : full of love and obedience to God ; full of pity and compassion to m…
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The third is, ' Who hath also given us the earnest of the Spirit.' Who- soever finds in them the Spirit of God, sanctifying their souls and bodies, stirring them up to holy duties, guiding, and leading, and moving them to holy actions, they may, from the sanctifying Spirit that is an earnest to them, know what shall be…
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Our souls are dull, and our bodies are dull in this world, but as iron, if it be touched with a loadstone, up it will ; so if we get faith and hope to look forward, what shall be done to us for the time to come ! The Spirit of faith and hope, if it touch the soul, will carry our dull bodies and our dead souls upward. …
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■' For the general title-page of the three editions of ' The Saint's Cordials,' see Vol. IV. p. 60. The separate title-page of ' The Art of Contentment ' will bo found below.* It may be proper to state, that the text of 'The Art of Contentment' now given is less full than in the first edition, the exiilanation being th…
1,193 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.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.