350 CHRIST IS BEST.
matter. But to die well is a matter of every day. Let us daily do some good that may help us at the time of our death. Every day by repentance pull out the sting of some sin, that so when death comes, we may have nothing to do but to die. To die well is the action of the whole life. He never dies well for the most part that dies not daily, as Paul saith of him- self, ' I die daily,' 1 Cor. xv. 81 ; he laboured to loose his heart from the world, and worldly things. If we loose our hearts from the world and die daily, how easy will it be to die at last ! He that thinks of the vanity of the world, and of death, and of being with Christ for ever, and is dying daily, it will be easy for him to end his days with comfort. But the time being past, I will here make an end. Let us desire God to make that which hath been spoken effectual, both concerning Paul, and likewise concerning this blessed man, for whose cause we are met together.*
* Sherland. In addition to the splendid eulogy of Sibbes, it may be noted here, that Sherland was one of the lay ' feofees ' to buy in livings. (Fuller's Church History, ed. Brewer, vi. 67 ; and see Prynne's Canterburie's Doom, p. 385.) He impeached Buckingham. (Heylin's Laud, p. 143.) — G.
NOTES.
(a) P. 339. — ' Death is but a departing . . . which word is taken from loosing from the shore, or removing of a ship to another coast.' See Luke viii. 38, and 2 Tim. iv. 6, and Pliil. 1. 23 (all in the Greek).
(b) P. 341. — ' God reserves the best for the last.' This more than once repeated saying of 8ibbes, probably suggested to Thomas Brooks the titles of two of his minor writings, (a) ' A Wtring of Pearls ; or the Best Things Keserved till Last,' (1657) ; (b)' K Believer's Last Day is his Best Day,' (1651).
(c) P. 342. — ' All of us must go through this dark passage to Clirist.^ Sir William Davenant has finely used this saying —
' 0 harmless Death ! whom still the valiant brave,
The wise expect, the sorrowful invite, And all the good embrace, who know the grave A short dark passage to eternal light' Longfellow has the same thought :
' The grave is but a cover'd bridge, leading from light To light, through a brief darkness.''
(d) P. 347. — ' Judge Yelverton.' Consult Foss's ' Judges of England.'
CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS FOR MAN'S SIN.
CHKIST'S SUFFERINGS FOR MAN'S SIN.
Note.
' Christ's Sufferings ' follows ' Christ is Best,' and closes the * first part ' of the volume. It was reprinted in the ' Saint's Cordial's ' (2d edition, 1637 ; 3d edition, 1658), forming No. 7. The separate title-page is subjoined.* — G.
* Title-page —
CHEISTS
Sufferings,
FOR
Mans Sinne.
Tiaid open in a Passion Ser- mon at Mercers Chappell Lon- don, vpon Good Friday.
By E. SiBBS, D.D.
IsAY. 53. 5. He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities; the chastise- ment of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes are wee healed.
London, Printed by M. F. for R. Dawlman, at the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Church- yard. 1634.
CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS FOR MAN'S SIN.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried xvith a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabach- thani ? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? — Mat. XXVn. 46.
The dying speeches of men of worth, are most remarkable. At that time they stu' up all theii- spiiits and abilities which remain, that they may speak with gi-eatest advantage to the hearts of others, and leave the deeper impression behind them.
These be some of the last words of our blessed Saviour's, uttered from the greatest aifection, with the greatest faith, and to the gi'eatest purpose, that ever any words were spoken, and therefore desei-ve your best attention.
In this portion of Scriptm-e you have Chiist's compeUation, My God; and his complaint, Why hast thou forsaken me? 1. A compeUation with an ingemination or reduphcation of the words, My God, 7ny God, to shew the strength of his affection and desii'e of help at this time.
2. A complaint by way of expostulation, Why hast thou forsaken me? I will di-aw all that I have to say into these four propositions :
1. That Christ was forsaken.
2. That he was very sensible of it, even unto complaint, Why hast thou forsaken me?
3. His disposition and carriage in this extremity. His faith failed not; My God, my God. His present grief tied him the closer and faster to his God.
4. Neither was it only faith, but a iaiih. flaminy in prayer, whereby he expressed that God was his God. He not only prayed but cried to him, * My God, my God,' &c. This is the sum of what I intend.
1. Christ being in extremity -w&s forsaken.
2. Being forsaken, he was very sensible of it; and from sensibleness com- plains, pouring out his soul into the bosom of his Father.
3. And not only complains, but believes certainly that his Fatlier will help him.