The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes (Volume 6) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1863. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The angels, they attended on Christ in all the passages of his life and death till they brought him to heaven.* They brought news of his birth, comforted him in his agony; they were at his resurrection, and you see here they attend. At his ascension they accompany him. And as they did to the Head, so they will to the members. In our infancy, they take charge of our tender years; in our dangers, they pitch their tents about us; in our deaths, they carry our souls to Abraham's bosom, a place of happiness. At our resurrection, their office is to gather our bodies together. That service and attendance they afforded the Head they afford to the members; to mystical Christ as well as natural. Therefore let us comfort ourselves in the service they did to Christ. Now, besides the apparition of the angels, here is the speech of the angels: ' Woman, why weepest thou ? ' They knew she had no cause of weeping, for Christ whom she sought was risen again. She answereth, * Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.' If it had been as she supposed, there had been cause enough of her weeping, if her Lord had been taken away; for when the Lord is taken away, what remaineth that is comfortable ? And if the Lord be not taken away, it matters not what is taken away. For he is all in all. Carnal people, so they have their wealth, and friends, and. comforts in the world, they care not what is taken away. But she is of another mind. ' They have taken away my Lord, ' and what comfort can I have if my Lord be taken away ? But it was but the speech of an opinion; she did but think it. And there were two things might lead her, truth and probability, which is the foundation of opinion. Probability: he is not here, therefore he is taken away. Truth: ...