Works (Vol 4) - Sibbes - XI - A glance of heaven continued

Required reading
The Works Volume 4 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue 'A glance of heaven' by reading 'The Third Sermon'.

My summary
This week we continue to read Sibbes' sermons on 1 Corinthians 2:9 'But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.'

At the beginning of this sermon there is some overlap with what has been said in previous sermons.  However, the majority of the sermon appears to be about what constitutes sweet affection in true and natural love for God.

Firstly Sibbes explains that in those that love God there must be an esteem of God and Christ.  This esteem:
(i) is necessary;
(ii) is known by our willing parting with anything for that that we esteem;
(iii) is spoken of largely;
(iv) carries our thoughts.

Secondly Sibbes demonstrates that where there is true love and affection for God there is a desire of union.  This union is shown in:
(i) a desire for communion in our minds;
(ii) a consultation for advice from God and a resting in that advice as coming from a loving person;
(iii) a desire not to lose that intercourse you have with God for all the world;
(iv) a desire even of death itself, that there may be a fuller union, and a desire of the consummation of all things.

Thirdly Sibbes shows us that those who love God are ones who rest pleased and contented in him.

Fourthly Sibbes teaches us that where the true affection of love to God is, it stirs up the soul to give all contentment to God, to do all things that may please him.

What grabbed me
I liked the encouragement to speak highly of Christ: 'Again, what we esteem highly of we speak largely of. A man is always eloquent in that he esteems. It will put him, to the extent of his abilities, to be as eloquent as possible he can be. You never know a man want words for that he prized, to set it out. Therefore when we want words to praise God, and to set out the value of the best things, it is an argument we have poor esteem of them. All go together, God and the things of God. What ! do we talk of loving God, and despise Christians and religion ? They are never severed. If a man esteem the best things, he will be often speaking of them. If a man set his affections upon a thing, it will suggest words at will. Therefore those that are clean out of their theme, when they speak of good things, are to seek, Alas ! where is the affection of love ? where is esteem ? Esteem it makes a readiness speak. '

If you truly love God, you won't be able to shut up about him.

Next week's reading
Conclude 'A glance of heaven' by reading 'The Fourth Sermon'.

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