Introduction
The Spiritual Man's Aim by Richard Sibbes
Table of Contents Introduction To have in our mind the main Religion meddles with all matters.
'Let those that are married be as if they were not.'
'Those that weep, as if they wept not.'
'Those that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not.'
'And they that buy, as though they possessed not.'
'And they that use this world, as not abusing it.'
'For the fashion of this world passeth away.'
Conclusion
Introduction
"It remains, brethren, that the time is short. Let those who have wives be as though they had none; those who weep, as though they did not weep; those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as not abusing it—for the form of this world is passing away." —1 Corinthians 7:29–31
The blessed apostle, in the earlier part of this chapter, has given instruction on matters of conscience, being a man who possessed the tongue of the learned, able to speak a timely word to the weary
(Isaiah 50:4). Then, as is his custom in nearly every epistle, having before his eyes more weighty concerns, he calls them away from being overly preoccupied with specific cases, exhorting them instead to focus on the greater issue: "The time is short. Let those who are married be as though they were not," and so on.
Nevertheless, he still provides answers to those particular cases. For just as in a journey it is not sufficient to know only that the destination lies east or west, north or south, but a traveler must also know the turns and specific details of the road—so it is in religion. It is not enough merely to understand that we are to serve God above all and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Such general truths even atheists will embrace, and under the guise of these general principles, they will often dismiss any further pursuit of religion.
Our understanding must also be exercised in resolving specific questions, for once these are clarified, the way becomes smoother toward heaven. Yet, we must not dwell too much on particulars, for here you see the apostle calls them away from them with these words: "Finally, my brethren, the time is short." It remains that we fix our attention on the central matters. "For the form of this world is