Works (Vol 4) - Sibbes - XIII - 'Excellency of the gospel above the law' commenced

Required reading
The Works Volume 4 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence 'The excellency of the gospel above the law' by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.'

My summary
Today we begin a new book in Sibbes' works on the excellency of the gospel above the law. 

The text of the book is 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: 'Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.'

This week we only look at what is meant by the words 'Now the Lord is that Spirit'.

Initially Sibbes put the verses in their contexts by giving us a brief exposition of the start of 2 Corinthians 3.

Then Sibbes states that Paul is teaching at the beginning of verse 17 that Jesus is 'that Spirit'.

Firstly Jesus is that Spirit because Jesus has the Spirit in himself in a more eminent excellent manner than all others.  And it must be so for these reasons:
(i) from the near union between the human nature and divine;
(ii) in regard of extension and intension;
(iii) the Spirit doth rest upon Christ invariably;
(iv) his place or offices in relation to the church;
(v) he is to be as the pattern for us.

Secondly Jesus is that Spirit in regard of his dispensations towards his church and children.  In the dispensations of:
(i) truth;
(ii) the quickening of persons.

What grabbed me
I liked this application of today's teaching: 'What need is there that we should sanctify all we take in hand by prayer! When we go to hear a sermon, when we take up the Bible to read a chapter alone by ourselves, or in our families, we should lift up our eyes and hearts and voices to heaven ; we should say to Christ, Lord, join thy Spirit, be present with us ; without thee thy word is dead, our hearts are dead, and will harden under the means, and darken in the light, and we shall fall under the heavy condemnation of these secure and formal times, if thou leavest us.'

Study of God's word without the Spirit brings more condemnation, not life.

Thus we must always beg Jesus for the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Next week's reading
Continue 'The excellency of the gospel above the law' by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'Verse 18. 'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.''

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