The open source

“Sibbes never married, but he built up an astonishing network of friendships that included godly ministers, prominent lawyers, and leading parliamentarians of early Stuart times. "Godly friends are walking sermons," he would say. He wrote at least thirteen introductions to the writings of his fellow Puritans. Sibbes was a gentle man who avoided the controversies of his age as much as possible. "Fractions beget fractions," he insisted. His battles with Archbishop Laud, Roman Catholics, and Arminians were exceptions. He also maintained close friendships with many pastors and leaders who desired more radical reform for the Church of England than he did. Sibbes was an inspiration to many. He influenced Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, and Independency—the three dominant Church parties in England at that time. He was a pastor to pastors and lived a life of moderation. "Where there is most holiness, there is most moderation, so long as it is without prejudice to godliness and the good of others," he wrote.

I am delighted to know that this work is finally available in Spanish. It is my prayer that it may be a blessing to the church of Christ throughout the Spanish-speaking world.”

The Mystery of Godliness Revealed.

There are two things God values more than the whole world: the church and the truth. The church, which is the "pillar and ground of the truth," as stated in the previous verse. The truth of religion, which is the seed of the church.

Now, the Apostle Paul, in preparing his student Timothy for the ministerial office, does so for two specific reasons: for the dignity of the church, in which he was to instruct and converse; and for the excellence of the mysteries of the Gospel, that excellent soul-saving truth. Therefore, he earnestly exhorts Timothy to be careful how he conducts himself in the church of God, in teaching the truth of God. The church of God is 'the house of God,' a company of people whom God cares for more than all humanity, for whom the world stands, for whom all things are. It is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.' And for the truth of God, which is to be taught in this church, which is such an excellent thing, we see that the apostle here used great words, high styles, elevated expressions concerning it.

As the subject is high and great, the apostle has fitting expressions; a full heart begets full expression. Just as no man went beyond Paul in the deep conception of his own unworthiness and his state by nature, so no one reached higher in great and rich thoughts and expressions of the excellence of Christ and of the good things we have through him; as we see here, expounding the excellence of the ministerial calling, he here gloriously expounds the evangelical truth. Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God manifest in the flesh.

ISBN: 9798812561499