Pithy gems from Richard Sibbes!

(1577-1635)

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The depths of our misery—can never fall below the depths of God's mercy.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

What the heart loves best—the mind studies most.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is better to go afflicted to Heaven—than merry to Hell.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Death is only a grim porter which admits us into a stately palace!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The winter prepares the earth for the spring; so do sanctified afflictions prepare the soul for glory!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Poverty and affliction take away the fuel that feeds pride.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

When we grow careless of keeping our souls—then God recovers our taste of holy things again by sharp crosses.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Whatever God takes away from His children—He either replaces it with a much greater favor, or else gives strength to bear it.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Grace alters the spiritual taste. In the godly, holy truths are conveyed by way of a taste; gracious men have a spiritual palate as well as a spiritual eye.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is evident that our conversion is sound—when we loathe and hate sin from the heart.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is Christ's manner to first trouble our souls by a sight of our sin—and then to come with healing in His wings.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

When a man is to travel into a far country, one staff in his hand may comfortably support him—but a bundle of staffs would be troublesome. In the same way, a few of these outward things may help us in the way to Heaven—whereas abundance may be hurtful.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Sin is not so sweet in the committing of it—as it is bitter in the reckoning of it.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

There is more mercy in Christ—than sin in us.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Whatever is good for God's children—they shall have it; for all is theirs to further them to Heaven.
Therefore, if poverty is good for them—they shall have it.
If disgrace is good for them—they shall have it.
If crosses are good for them—they shall have them.
If misery is good for them—they shall have it.
For all is ours, to serve for our greatest good.
"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Satan gives Adam an apple—and takes away Paradise! Therefore in all temptations let us consider not what the devil offers—but what we shall lose.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Those who desire to be happy—must first be holy!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Do not measure God's love and favor by your own feelings. The sun shines as clearly in the darkest day—as it does in the brightest. The difference is not in the sun, but in some clouds which hinder the manifestation of the light thereof.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The love of a wife to her husband may begin from the supply of her necessities—but afterwards she may love him also for the sweetness of his person. In the same way, the soul first loves Christ for salvation—but when she is brought to Him and finds what sweetness there is in Him, then she loves Him for Himself.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Gospel repentance is not a little hanging down of the head. It's a working of the heart until your sin becomes more odious to you than any punishment for it.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

When we go to God by prayer, the devil knows we go to fetch strength against him—and therefore he opposes us all he can.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christ chiefly manifests Himself in times of affliction, because then the soul clings most closely by faith to Christ. The soul, in time of prosperity, scatters its affections, and looses itself in the creature. But there is a uniting power in sanctified afflictions, by which a believer, (as in rain, a hen collects her brood) gathers his best affections unto his heavenly Father.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

In all their mirthfulness in this world, the wicked are but as a book with a lovely cover—which when it is opened, is full of nothing but tragedies. So when the book of their consciences shall be once opened—there is nothing to be read but lamentations and woes.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A Christian is the greatest freeman in the world. He is free from . . .
  the curse of the law,
  the wrath of God,
  Hell and damnation!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Providence is the perpetuity and continuance of creation.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

When we grow careless of keeping our souls—then God recovers our taste of good things again by sharp crosses.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The winter prepares the earth for the spring—so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

All scandalous actions are only thoughts at first!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

If God brings us into the trial he will be with us in the trial, and at length bring us out, more refined. We shall lose nothing but dross!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

After conversion we need bruising, so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

No wicked man can be a wise man.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christ came down from Heaven and emptied himself of majesty, in tender love to souls. Shall we not come down from our high conceits, to do any poor soul good? Shall a man be proud, after God has been humble?

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Our blessed Savior, when he was to leave the world—what did he press upon his disciples more than peace and love?
Men must not be too curious in prying into the weaknesses of others. It would be a good contest among Christians, one to labor to give no offence, and the other to labor to take none. The best men are severe on themselves, and tender on others.
Let us take heed of taking up Satan's office, in misrepresenting the good actions of others.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Grace conquers us first; then we, by it conquer all else; whether corruptions within us, or temptations from outside us.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life!" Proverbs 4:23. When we grow careless of keeping our souls—then God recovers our taste of holy things again by sharp crosses.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

God accepts our prayers, though weak, because we are his own children, and they come from his own Spirit; because they are according to his own will; and because they are offered in Christ's mediation, and he takes them and mingles them with his own incense.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A holy despair in ourselves is the ground of all hope.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

When we pray, we need to pray again for Christ to pardon the defects of our prayers.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

As a mother is tenderest to the most diseased and weakest child—so Christ most mercifully inclines to the weakest of his children.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Let us not be discouraged at the small beginnings of grace, but look on ourselves as elected to be "holy and without blame!" (Ephesians 1:4)