Richard Sibbes (1577 – 1635) was one in a line of several English Puritan theologians and preachers who through his writings and sermons left an indelible mark on seventieth century Christianity. Sibbes was an inspiration to many, both in England and New England, where his books were much read. Converted in 1603, Sibbes was a gentle man who tried to avoid Christian controversies as much as possible. Known for his brilliant and popular sermons, Sibbes was considered by most to be an educated divine, charitable, and humble in character. His sermons were always Christ-centered and appealed to both the learned and unlearned.
As I went through his many quotations I sensed that this great man of God possessed a very humble spirit. I pray that the quotes below will bless you on your walk with the Lord.1
“There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.”
“The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and sleep to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory and praise.”
“The life of a Christian is wondrously ruled in this world, by the consideration and meditation of the life of another world.”
“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.”
“The winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory.”
“God can pick sense out of a confused prayer.”
“The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession.”
“See a flame in a spark, a tree in a seed. See great things in little beginnings.”
“Self-emptiness prepares us for spiritual fullness.”
“Satan gives Adam an apple, and takes away paradise. Therefore, in all temptations consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose.”
“It is a destructive addition to add anything to Christ.”
“Whatsoever God takes away from His children, He either replaces it with a much greater favor or else gives strength to bear it.”
“A Christian is the greatest freeman in the world; he is free from the wrath of God, free from hell and damnation, from the curse of the law; but then, though he be free in these respects, yet, in regard of love, he is the greatest servant. Love abaseth him to do all the good that he can; and the more the Spirit of Christ is in us, the more it will abase us to anything wherein we can be serviceable.”
“Death is only a grim porter to let us into a stately palace.”
“If we would make it evident that our conversion is sound, we must loathe and hate sin from the heart.”
“Sin is not so sweet in the committing as it is heavy and bitter in the reckoning.”
“A sharp reproof sometimes is a precious pearl, and a sweet balm. The wounds of secure sinners will not be healed with sweet words.”
“We are only poor for this reason, that we do not know our riches in Christ.”
1 All of these quotes are from the website below:
TOP 25 QUOTES BY RICHARD SIBBES (of 73) | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)