I speak this the rather, because I would have humble consciences to make use of it in times of desertion, when God seems to be a God that hides himself, when they find no life nor comfort. Yet if they have but grace to believe, they may comfort themselves in this. Well, I have it but from Christ, and he is perfect in glory. He is ascended, and I shall ascend and rise, and be glorious, because he is so. Put case now I feel no such matter. It is no matter. I live by faith in Christ, that hath all in fulness ; and what he hath done for me, he will do in me, if I believe in him.
Let a troubled soul comfort itself with this. It is as impossible that he should be damned that believes in Christ, as that Christ should be damned, because he, believing in Christ, is one with him, and as verily as Christ is in heaven, he shall be there ; for Christ rose for all his. The little finger lives the same life as the hand or the foot doth. So a weak Chi'istian that
218 TIIK mUDEN LIFE.
hath little grace, he lives by the same faith in Christ that is in glory, as well as they that are stronger. Let us strive and light, with this encourage- ment, as St Paul saith, ' light the good light of faith,' 1 Tim. vi. 12. Oh, but shall we be always fighting and striving? No, saith he; lay hold of eternal life, and then we may well tight against doubts and despair. Let us therefore labour to fight, so that we may lay hold on eternal life, which Christ keeps for us, and keeps us for it ; and ere long we shall partake of that we hope for.
si
THE SPIRITUAL JUBILEE.
THE SPIRITUAL JUBILEE.
NOTE.
' The Spiritual Jubilee ' is designated in the title-page ' two sermons.' Probably only the substance of them is given. There is no division between them. They form No. G of tlio 'Beams of Divine Light' (4to, 1G39). The separate title-page will be found below,* and also the general title-page of the volume from which the ' Spiritual Jubilee ' is taken.f The Epistles Dedicatory and To the Reader of ' The Beams of Light ' are herewith prefixed. G.
* THE
S P I R I T V A L L I U B I L E.
In two Sermons. By
The late learned and reverend Divine,
Rich. S i b b s :
Doctor in Divinitio, M' of Katherine Ilall
in Cambridge, and sometimes Preacher
at G R A Y E S-I N N E.
John 8. 30. If the Sonne therefore shall mahe you free, yee shall be free indeed.
Gal. 5. 1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty, wherewith Christ hath made us free.
London,
Printed by E. P. for Nicholas Bourne, and
Rapha Harford, and are to be sold at the South
entrance of the Royall Exchange, and in
Queens head Alley, in Pater-Noster-Row,
at the gilt Bible. 16 3 8.
t B E A M E S
OF DIVINE
LIGHT,
Breaking forth from severall places
of holy Scripture, as they were
learnedly opened,
In XXI. Sermons.
The III. first being the fore-going Sermons
to that Treatise called The Bruised- Reed,X
Preached on the precedent words.
By the late Reverend and ludicious Divine,
Richard Sibs,
D.D.Mr, of Katharine Ilall in Camh : and sometimes
Preacher at Graves Inne.
Published according to the Doctor his owne
appointment subscribed with his hand ;
to prevent imperfect Coppies.
E s A Y. 60. 3.
The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and Kings to the
Irightnesse of thy rising.
Psalm. 84. 11. For the Lord God is a Sun and shield, the Lord trill give grace and glory ; and no good thing tvill he withhold from them that walke vprightly.
L 0 N D ON
Printed by G. M. for N. Bourne, at the Royal Exchange, and R Harford,
at the guilt Bible in Queenes-head Alley in Fater-Noster-Row.
MDCXXXIX.
+ See Vol. I. page 42.— G.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOHN LORD EOBEETS, BAEON OF TEUEO ;
AND TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE LADY LUCIE,* HIS PIOUS CONSOET,
GRACE AND PEACE FROM JESUS CHRIST.
Right Honourable and truly Noble,
It was not so much tlie nobility of your blood, as that of grace given unto you from the divine hand, which did so much interest you in the love and esteem of that worthy servant of Christ the author of this work ; in whom ' Urim and Thummim ' met, whose whole course being a real and vital sermon, sweetly consonant to the tenor of his teaching, made him amiable living, and honourable dead, in the opinion of as many as well knew him. This was the thing, I suppose, which wrought unto him from you, as well as from many others of your noble stock and rank, more than an ordinary esteem ; and this is that which maketh me in nothing to doubt but that his labours made public under your names shall be very welcome unto you. The work is answering unto the man, and therefore worthy you and your acceptance ; only this is the disadvantage, that though these sermons had his own tongue to preach them, yet they want his own pen to commend them unto your honours. I well know that the expressions of holy truths from a gracious heart, by lively voice, do breed deeper impres- sions in thirsting and reverent hearers, than any publishing of them in dead letters can do ; yet this we find in experience, that holy and necessary truths, this way coming abroad into the churches of God, do get the advan- tage to continue longer, and to become a more general good. They may stir up^the affections, and set onwards in the course of holiness where the comforts are sure, and the honours honouring everlasting.