(i) P. 316. — ' Jailor bowels of pity.* See this subject treated with no
common power and pathos from the text. Acts xvi. 33, ' He washed their stripes,' by Bishop Brownrig, who succeeded Sibbes as Master of Katherine Hall. (' Ser- mons,' folio, vol. i. pp. 273-291.)
(y) p. 318. — ' Casting something unto these lions, to divert them another way.' A singularly beautiful expansion of this thought may here be given from a volume of ' Sermons,' by the late Kev. Dr Henderson of Galashiels, with whom Sibbea was an especial favourite : —
' Death is the last enemy, — the last with whom the believer shall be called to con- tend during his period of coniiict and trial. When the struggle is over, which issues in the dissolution of his earthly tabernacle, it may be said that his " warfare is ac- complished." He may appear to the eye of sense to sink and perish in the mortal strife ; but to the eye of faith, in the view of the angel bands who look on, and in his sight to whom belong the issues from death, he escapes and triumphs. He has passed from the land of the enemy — from the iield of war and danger. He has left his body, indeed, behind, a prey to corruption. Death may wreak on it his fury. J3ut it is as one who has thrown down his garment to be torn and trampled by the wild beasts in its rage ; while he himself hastens away to the refuge which opens before him. So does the soul enter into rest. . . . ' (Sermons on Doctrinal and Practical Subjects. 1 vol. 8vo, 1843, pp. 244-5.)
{k) P. 326. — ' We are kept (we are guarded, as the word is).' Sibbes very fre- quently quotes this text ; and invariably returns upon his rendering of 'guarded' in- stead of ' kept..' Demarest, who adopts it, may profitably be consulted. (Transla- tion and Exp. of 1 Peter. New York, 1851.)
(I) P. 327. — ' Our conversation is iu heaven He conversed as a citizen of
heaven before he came there, Philip iii. 20. The original is rh ToX/Vs^aa = com- monwealth, or perhaps citizenship. Cf. Ellicott in loc, who gives the literature of the text and word. G.
CHRIST IS BEST; OR, ST PAUL'S STRAIT.
CHEIST IS BEST; or, ST PAUL'S STRAIT.
Note.
' Chritii; is Best' follows the ' Saint's Safety in Evil Times' in the volume described, (See note at page 296). Its separate title-page is given below.* It forms No. 11 of ' Saints' Cordials,' (2d ed. 1637, and 3d ed. 1658) ; and is therein entitled, ' Christ is Best ; or, A Sweet Passage to Glory.' — G.
* Title-page —
CHEIST IS BEST:
OB,
ST PAUL'S STRAIT,
A
Sermon Prea- ched at the Funerall of 3Ir Sherland, late Eecor- der of Northampton. By R. SiBBS, D.D. [as before]. Psal. 42. 2. London, Printed by M. F. for R. Dawlman, at the Brazen Serpent in Paul's Church- yard. 1634. 8°.
CHRIST IS BEST;
OR,
ST PAUL'S STEAIT.
For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to dei^aH, and to he tvith Christ, ivhich is best of all ; nevertheless, to abide in the fiesh is most need- ful/or you.— Pb.il. i. 23, 24.
The apostle Paul here, liad a double desire, one in regard of himself, to be with Christ ; another, out of his love of God's church and people, to abide stiU in the flesh ; and between these two he is in a great strait, not knowing which to choose. But the love of the church of Christ triumphed in him, above the love of his own salvation, so as he was content, out of self-denial, to want the joys of heaven for a time, that he might yet further comfort the people of God.
In the words you have, 1, St PauVs straits; 2, his desires that caused them, as in regard of himself, which was to be ivith Christ ; so, in respect of the church of God, which was to abide still here ; 3, the reasons of both, (1) to be with Christ is far better for me, (2) to abide in the flesh more needful for you; and 4, his resolution upon aU, being willing for the church's good still to abide here, rather than go to heaven and enjoy his own happiness.
St Paul's soul was as a ship, between two winds, tossed up and down, and as iron between two loadstones, drawn first one way, then another ; the one loadstone was his own good, to be in heaven ; the other was the good of God's people, to abide still in the flesh.
Obs. Observe hence that the servants of God are oftentimes in great straits. Some things are so exceeding bad that, without any dehberation or delay at all, we ought presently to abominate them, as Satan's temptations to sin, to distrust, despair, &c. Some things also are so good that we should immediately cleave unto them, as matters of religion and piety. There should be no delay in these holy businesses. Deliberation here, argues weakness. Some things, again, are of an ambiguous and doubtful nature, requiring our best consideration. Such was Paul's strait in this place. He had reasons swaying him on both sides ; and such is the happy estate of a Christian, that whatsoever he had chosen had been well for him ; only, God who rules our judgments, will have us to male choice. God might have