Richard Sibbes
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 40
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ... without a thorough altering and conviction of their judgment. He worketh by them, but not in them, therefore they do neither approve the good they do, nor hate the evil they abstain from. Chap. XXI.-- Where true wisdom and judgment is, there Christ sets up his government. The second branch is, that wheresoever true wisdom and judgment is, there Christ hath set up his government; because where wisdom is, it directs us not only to understand, but to order our ways aright. Where Christ by his Spirit as a prophet teaches, he likewise as a king by his Spirit subdueth the heart to obedience of what is taught. This is that teaching which is promised of God, when not only the brain, but the heart itself, is taught: when men do not only know what they should do, but are taught the very doing of it; they are not only taught that they should love, fear, and obey, but they are taught love itself, and fear and obedience itself. Christ sets up his chair in the very heart, and alters the frame of that, and makes his subjects good, together with teaching of them to be good. Other princes can make good laws, but they "cannot write them in their people's hearts," Jer. xxxii. 40. This is Christ's prerogative, he infuseth into his subjects his own Spirit, "Upon him there doth not only rest the spirit of wisdom and understanding, but likewise the Spirit of the fear of the Lord," Isa. xi. 2. The knowledge which we have of him from himself, is a transforming knowledge, 2 Cor. iii. 18. The same Spirit that enlighteneth the mind, inspireth gracious inclinations into the will and affections, and infuseth strength into the whole man. As a gracious man judgeth as he should, so he affecteth and doth as he judgeth, his life is a commentary of his inward man; there is...