Works (Vol 1) - Sibbes - XIV - Soul's conflict continued

Required reading
The Works Volume 1 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Sibbes Works Vol 1 by continuing 'The soul's conflict with itself' and reading Chapters 22 (Of sorrow for sin...), 23 (Other spiritual causes of the soul's trouble discovered and removed), 24 (Of outward troubles...), 25 (Of the defects of gifts...), 26 (Of divine reasons) and 27 (In our worst condition...).

My summary
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'.

In Chapter 22 Sibbes answers the case of one that is not sorrowful for sin and so fears that he cannot be comforted.

Chapter 23 looks at another spiritual cause of trouble: the inward conflict betwixt grace and corruption.  This is followed by answers to objections that one cannot be comforted because of:
(i) strong inclinations to sin;
(ii) great impediments and many discouragements;
(iii) a corrupt heart;
(iv) many wants and defects;
(v) God's pure eyes not enduring his services.

Then Chapter 24 examines how to overcome outward evils that deprive us of the comforts of nature or bring such misery upon our nature or condition that hinders our well-being in this world.

Chapter 25 looks at the disquieting that results from a Christian seeing himself unfurnished with those gifts that are fit for the calling of a saint.

In Chapter 26 we are taught of the divine reasons for trust in a believer and the praise the believer gives to God.

And Chapter 27 asserts that in our worst condition we still have cause to praise God.

What grabbed me
Sibbes gives us some great teaching on how to be truly happy: 'God is glorified in making us happy, and we enjoying happiness, must glorify God. Although God condescend so low unto us, as not only to allow us, but to enjoin us to look to our own freedom from misery, and enjoyment of happiness, yet a soul thoroughly seasoned with grace, mounteth higher, and is carried with pure respects to advance God's glory ; yea, sometimes so far as to forget its own happiness. It respects itself for God, rather than God for itself. A heavenly soul is never satisfied, until it be as near God as is attainable. And the nearer a creature comes to God, the more it is emptied of itself, and all self-aims. Our happiness is more in him, than in ourselves. We seek ourselves most when we deny ourselves most. And the more we labour to advance God, the more we advance our condition in him. '

Seek God's glory and the pleasant side effect is that you end up happy!  (Sounds rather like John Piper).

Next week's reading
Continue Sibbes Works Vol 1 by continuing 'The soul's conflict with itself' and reading Chapters 28 (Divers qualities...), 29 (Of God's manifold...), 30 (Of God...) and 31 (Means of proving...).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.