Notwithstanding, we must know in the fourth place, that when wc are at the best, we shall yet be in such a conflicting state, as that we shall long after that glorious liberty of the sons of God, after we have done the work God hath given us to do. For God will have a difference betwixt heaven and earth ; and shai-pen our desire of the coming of his kingdom, which nothing doth so much, especially in times of outward prosperity, as those tedious combats of the inner man. And yet let this raise up our spirits, that it is so far that this remainder should prejudice our interest in hap- piness, that thereby we are driven every day to renew our claim to the promise of pardon, and so to live by faith until this unclean issue be dried up. These sour herbs help us to relish Christ the better. Moreover, though in this life our endeavours come short of our desires, and we always allow a greater measure than we can attain unto ; yet we may, by stirring up the graces begun in us, and by suing God upon those promises of his Spirit and grace, whereby he hath made himself a debtor unto us, come to that measure, whereby we shall make the profession of religion glorious, and lovely in the eyes of others, and comfortable to om-selves ; and so shine far brighter than others do. Why then do we not, in the use of all sancti- fied means, beg of God, to make good the promises wherein he hath caused us to trust '? I)o we not, beside hfe of our bodies, desire health and strength to discharge all the offices of civil life ? And why should we not much more (if the life of God be in us) labour after health and vigour of Spirit, and for that anointing of the Holy Ghost, whereby we may do and sufier all things, so as we may draw others to a liking of our ways ? The truth is, Satan laboureth to keep us under belief of particular promises, and from renewing our covenant, in confidence, that God will perfect the work that he hath begun, and not repent him of his earnest. So far as thus we cherish distrust, we lie open to Satan. Strengthen faith, and strengthen all. Let us therefore at once set upon all duties required, and be in love with an holy life, above all other lives, and put ourselves upon God's mercy and truth ; and we shall be able fi"om experience, so far to justify all God's ways as that we would not be in another state for all the world. What gi'cater encouragement can we wish, than that om* corruptions shall fall more and more before the Spirit, and we shall be able to do all things through Christ that strengtheneth us ?
MEMOIR OF RICHARD SIBBES, D.D. XCIU
■ To make these ways of God more plain unto us, this pains is taken by this man of God. Not to disparage the labours of other holy men (as far as I can judge), there is nothing in this kind more fully, judiciously, or savourily written, with greater evidence of a spirit persuaded of the goodness and truth of what it sets down. And though (distinct from respect to the author) the treatise deserveth much respect, yet it should gain the more acceptance, especially of those that are babes and young men in Christ, that it is written by a father of long and reverend esteem in the church ; who hath begun in all these rules to others. As for our bodies, so for our souls, we may more securely rely on an old experienced physician. He commendeth it unto thee, having felt the kindly working of it upon him- self. The Lord by his Spirit convey these truths into thy heart, and upon good felt hereby in thy soul, remember to desire God that he may still bring forth more fruit in his age, until he hath finished his coui'se with credit to the gospel, and an assured hope of a blessed change.
Gray's Inn. Richard Sibbes.
We place along with this another 'epistle' by Sibbes, prefixed to another small book by Culverwell. The copy of this in my library, was formerly in the possession of Charles I., and has his royal arms enstamped in gold on each side. Judging from its appearance, it must have been well read. The book is entitled, ' Time Well Spent in Sacred Meditations, Divine Observations, Heavenly Exhortations ;' and the 'Epistle Dedicatory' is addressed to an 'excellent Chris- tian woman,' who seems to have been greatly beloved by Sibbes, Mrs More. * It runs as follows : —
To the rirjht icorshipfid and truhj religmis Mrs More.
Eight Worshipful and worthy Mrs More. — The church of God hath not only benefit by exact and just treatises knit together in a methodical dependency of one part from another, but likewise of sententious independent speeches, that have a general lustre of themselves, as so many flowers in a garden, or jewels in a casket, whereof every one hath a distinct worth of tiiemselves ; and this maketh them the more acceptable, that being short they are fitter for the heart to carry, as having much in a little.