The Works of Richard Sibbes, vol. 7
Overview
Volume seven contains more than 30 of Richard Sibbes’ sermons not found in other volumes. A prolific theologian and biblical scholar, Sibbes remained best known for his preaching and for his lengthy career at Gray’s Inn. He preached on stories in Scripture—such as the story of Balaam—as well as on Jesus’ miracles, the life of Mary, and theological topics such as grace, salvation, prayer, and the resurrection. Volume seven concludes with two sermons on Christ’s Second Coming.
In the Logos edition, The Works of Richard Sibbes is completely searchable and more accessible than ever. Key theological terms link to dictionaries and encyclopedias, and Scripture references are linked to your Greek New Testament or your favorite English translations. The Works of Richard Sibbes will benefit pastors, theologians, laypeople, and anyone interested in Reformed theology in general and Puritan thought in particular.
Get all seven volumes of The Works of Richard Sibbes here!
- Memoir of Richard Sibbes written by Rev. Alexander Balloch Grosart
- Complete bibliography of Sibbes’ works, glossary, list of key names, and general index
Top Highlights
“It makes things not otherwise seen be seen, and presently seen; it gives a being to things.” (Pages 423–424)
“Thorns will not prick of themselves, but when they are grasped in a man’s hand they prick deep. So this world and the things thereof are all good, and were all made of God for the benefit of his creature, did not our immoderate affection make them hurtful, which indeed embitters every sweet unto us. This is the root of all evil. When once a man’s heart is set upon the world, how doth he set light by God, and the peace of his conscience, to attain his ends!” (Pages 412–413)
“Nay, when a man trusts in himself, and in his present grace, more than in God, he shall be sure to fall; for we must trust in God for time to come for fresh grace, and pray that God would renew his graces, to strengthen us in every trouble and affliction. The cause why God’s children do so miscarry in times of trouble is, because they trouble themselves, and do not trust in God for a new supply of grace.” (Page 54)
“If we would make it evident that our conversion is sound, we must loathe and hate sin from the heart.” (Page 223)
“Emmanuel became man to make the church and every Christian to be one with him. Christ’s nature is out of danger of all that is hurtful. The sun shall not shine, the wind shall not blow, to the church’s hurt. For the church’s head ruleth over all things, and hath all things in subjection. Angels in heaven, men on earth, devils in hell, all bow to Christ. And shall anything befall them that he loveth, unless for their greater good?” (Page 125)
Sibbes never wastes . . . time. He scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands.
I shall never cease to be grateful to Richard Sibbes, who was balm to my soul at a period in my life when I was overworked and badly overtired, and therefore subject in an unusual manner to the onslaughts of the devil. I found at that time that Richard Sibbes . . . was an unfailing remedy. His books The Bruised Reed and The Soul’s Conflict quieted, soothed, comforted, encouraged, and healed me.
The most brilliant and popular of all the utterances of the Puritan church.
—William Haller
A ‘soul of goodness’ informs every fiber and filament of his thinking . . . there is not a page without food for the spiritually hungry.
—Rev. Alexander Balloch Grosart
- Title: The Works of Richard Sibbes, vol. 7
- Author: Richard Sibbes
- Editor: Alexander Balloch Grosart
- Publisher: James Nichol
- Publication Date: 1864
- Pages: 601
Richard Sibbes (1577–1635) entered St. John’s College at Cambridge in 1595 and was ordained in the Church of England in 1607. He received his BD in 1610. Sibbes lectured at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge beginning in 1611 and, in 1617, became a preacher at Gray’s Inn—then London’s most famous pulpit. He returned to Catherine Hall in 1626 and to Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge in 1623, though he never gave up his preaching at Gray’s Inn. Influence of Sibbes’ thought shows in the writings of John Cotton, Hugh Peters, Thomas Goodwin, John Preston, and countless others.
Among Sibbes’ last words: “I commend and bequeath my soul into the hands of my gracious Savior, who hath redeemed it with his most precious blood, and appears now in heaven to receive it.”