The Works Volume 1 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here)
We continue Sibbes' exposition of Psalm 42:11, 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God'.
Chapter 14 is a discussion of the help that we derive from others in our afflictions. We see the benefit that it is to have a friend and the characteristics of such a friend. Although Sibbes does also give us some warnings of the dangers of such a friendship.
Next, in Chapter 15, Sibbes turns to some observations from the text of our flying to God when our souls are disquieted:
(i) a Christian when he is beaten out of all other comforts yet hath a God to run to;
(ii) there is a sanctified use of all troubles to God's children;
(iii) the Spirit of God by these inward speeches doth awake the soul and keep it in a holy exercise;
(iv) there is a use of soliloquies or speeches to our own hearts;
(v) distrust is the cause of all disquiet;
(vi) it is no easy thing to bring God and the heart together;
(vii) we should labour to bring out souls to a firm and peremptory resolution and not stand wavering;
(viii) take up our souls before they stray too from God;
(ix) though the soul be overborne by passion for a time, yet if grace hath once truly seasoned it, it will work itself into freedom again.
Chapter 16 looks at the importance of trust in God and shows us the grounds of such a trust - particularly providence.
Then in Chapter 17 we are given the graces to be exercised in respect of Divine Providence:
(i) lay our hand upon our mouths and command the soul an holy silence;
(ii) resign ourselves to God;
(iii) patiently suffer God's will by inuring ourselves first to it.
For example, when faced with two seemingly equal choices: 'We must not put all carelessly upon a providence, but first consider what is our part ; and, so far as God prevents us with light, and affords us helps and means, we must not be failing in our duty. We should neither outrun nor be wanting to providence. But in perplexed leases, where the reasons on both sides seem to be equally balanced, see whether part make more for the main end, the glory of God, the service of others, and advancement of our own spiritual good. Summa ratio qua pro religione facit. Some things are so clear and even, that there is not a best between them, but one may be done as well as the other, as when two ways equally tend to one and the same place.'
Choose the option that gives most glory to God and benefits you and others best.
Next week's reading
Continue Sibbes Works Vol 1 by continuing 'The soul's conflict with itself' and reading Chapters 18 (Other grounds of trusting in God...), 19 (Faith to be prized...), 20 (Of the method...) and 21 (Of quieting the spirit...).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment