NOTES.
(a) P. 117. — 'Thejf have seven sacraments to our two,' viz., (1) The Supper, (2) Baptism, (3) Marriage, (4) Peuance, (5) Confession, (6) Extreme Unction, (7) Orders.
(b) P. 117. — 'There are divers readings of the words,' Instead of 'all the pro- mises,' the Greek is ' as many promises.' Cf. Dr Hodge in loc. for exposition, and Alford and Webster and AVilkinson for ' variations' of text, G.
A GLANCE OF HEAVEN;
OR,
A PRECIOUS TASTE OF A GLORIOUS FEAST.
A GLANCE OF HEAVEN.
NOTE.
' A Glance of Heaven ' was first published in 1638. Its title-page is given below.* It is among the rarest of Sibbcs's books. Prefixed to it is an engraving by Marshall representing the Table of the Lord ' spread ' for the supper. At the top is placed, ' Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out seven pillars, and furnished her table, Prov. ix. 1, 2.' Beneath the table, ' Compare Prov. ix. 1, 2, and Isa. xxv. 6 with 1 Cor. ii. 9. Secrets which the gospel reveals, election, redemption, justifica- tion, peace of conscience, joy unspeakable, faith, love. A feast prepared for them that love God in heaven consummated.'
* A
GLANCE
OF HEAVEN.
OR,
A PEETIOVS TASTE
of a glorious Feast.
Wherein thou mayst taste and see those things which God hath pre- pared for them that love him.
The secrets of the Lord are with them that feare him, ^'c. Psal. 25. 14.
Ey K. SiBS, D.D. Master oi Katherine Hall, and preacher of Grayes Inne London.
LONDON Printed by E. G. for /. R. and are •
to bee sold by Henry Overton, at the entring in of Popes head Palace out of Lumbard street. 16S8.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
Beloved ! it is gi-own a custom that every book whosevcr, or of whatso- ever subject, must be presented to you in state ; with some prescript pur- posely. Were it not that custom is a tjTant, this labour might now be spared. Such matter from such an elder as here follows, needs no ' epistle of recommendation.' The reverend author is well approved to be * a man of God,' a 'seer in Israel,' by those things which, without control, have already passed the press. Might I have my wish, it should be no more but a ' double portion ' of that Spirit of God which was in him. The divine light, which radiated into his breast, displays itself in many other of his labours, but yet it is nowhere more condensed than in this following. It is truly said of Moses, by faith ' he saw him that was invisible,' Heb. xi. 27.
And St Paul prays for the Ephesians, ' that they might know the love of that which passeth knowledge,' Eph. iii. 19. These things imply a con- tradiction. Yet in like phrase I fear not to say of this father and brother, he saw those things ' which eye hath not seen,' spake those things which * ear hath not heard,' and uttered those things ' which have not entered into the heart of man to conceive,' 2 Cor. ii. 9. This knot needs no cutting. He that rightly understands the text will easily look through this mystery without the help of an h3-perbole. His scope was to stir us up to love God ; his motive to persuade is taken from the excellency of those things which God hath prepared for them who love him. That excellency is expressed in a strange manner ; by intimating it cannot be expressed, no, nor so much as comprehended by any natural ability of the body or mind. Yet it is expressed in the doctrine of the gospel sufficiently. So as here, as in a glass, we may ' behold the glory of. God,' and in beholding, be ' changed from glory to glory,' 2 Cor. iii. 18. What duty more neces- sary than to love God ? What motive more effectual than the gospel ? For what is the gospel but a revelation of such things as natural men could never invent? Such things, that is, so precious, so useful, so comfortable to us ; so divine, admirable, and transcendent in themselves. Many of us are like the angel of Ephesus, ' We have lost our first love,' Rev. ii. 4 ; yea, as our Saviour prophesied. Mat. xxiv. 12, ' The love of many waxes cold.' One reason may be, because to see-to,* we reap so little fruit of our love. Were it so, that we had nothing in hand, no present pay, that we served God altogether upon trust, without so much as an earnest, yet there is some- thing ' prepared.' Let us believe that, and our hearts cannot but be warmed. We shall then be * fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,' Rom. xii. 11. Be we persuaded of that, * God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have shewed towards his name,' Heb. vi. 10, and then we may triumphantly insultf with Paul, ' Who shall sepa- rate us from the love of Christ '? ' Rom. viii.-35. There is this difference between natural sight and spiritual. The one requires some nearness of the object, the other perceives things at greatest distance. As faith makes * That is, == outward appearance. — G. t That is, = exult, boast. — G.