The Works Volume 4 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'The spiritual man's aim'.
This week we read a sermon entitled 'The spiritual man's aim'. It is an exposition of: '29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.' (1 Cor 7:29-31)
Sibbes teaches us about the five directions from Paul for believers:
(i) let those that are married be as if they were not;
(ii) those that weep, as if they wept not;
(iii) those that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not;
(iv) they that buy, as though they possessed not;
(v) they that use this world, as not abusing it.
Sibbes also teaches us the three reasons which enforce these five directions:
(i) the time is short;
(ii) the fashion of this world passeth away;
(iii) your state and condition in Christ.
Particularly enjoyed the emphasis on the shortness of time: 'And in the third place, it is irrecoverable when it is gone. There is no recalling back of time when it is past. In all these respects we must be good husbands ; we must be thrifty of our time, and not take care how to drive away that, that flies away of itself so fast. It is a precious thing, precious for great purposes. What is this little time given us for ? To provide for eternity, world without end. And we trifle it away about this thing and that thing to no purpose ; we fill it up with vanity, and with sin, which is worse. In this little time we do that, that in a long time we cannot undo again. That is our madness and folly. Therefore ' the time being short,' let us take heed what we do in it. We may do that in a little time that we may rue for eternity. We may do that good, and get that good in a little time, that may stand by us world without end. Those that have but a little plot of ground, they will husband it so, as not to lose a handful of it ; so those that have but a little time, let them husband it well, sow to the Spirit, that our harvest may be eternal life ; that we may say, Oh ! it was a great blessing, that God gave me a little time to get into Christ, to repent of my sins, &c.'
With so little time, why would you waste it in sin?
Next week's reading
Read 'The right receiving'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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