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Josiah's Reformation: Cultivating and Maintaining a Tender Heart
Richard Sibbes always sought to get under the superficial layer of his listeners’ behaviour and deal with their hearts. He knew that the outward acts of sin spring from the inner desires of the heart. Merely to alter a person’s behavior without dealing with those desires would cultivate hypocrisy, the self-righteous cloak for a cold and vicious heart. Sibbes believed that hearts must be turned, and evil desires eclipsed by stronger ones for Christ. Josiah’s Reformation is as relevant today as when it was first published in 1629. Our busyness and activism so easily degenerate into a hypocrisy in which we keep up all the appearance of holiness without the heart of it. Christians even use Christ as a package to pass on to others, instead of enjoying him first and foremost as their own Savior. But true reformation must begin in the heart, with love for Christ. And that can only come when the free grace of God in Christ Jesus is preached.
- GenresTheology
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2022
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40 people want to read
About the author
Richard Sibbes
235 books100 followersRichard Sibbes was born at Tostock, Suffolk, in 1577 and went to school in Bury St Edmunds. His father, 'a good sound-hearted Christian', at first intended that Richard should follow his own trade as a wheelwright, but the boy s 'strong inclination to his books, and well-profiting therein' led to his going up to St John's College, Cambridge in 1595. He was converted around 1602-3 through the powerful ministry of Paul Bayne, the successor of William Perkins in the pulpit of Great St Andrew's Church.
After earning his B.D. in 1610, Sibbes was appointed a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. Later, through the influence of friends, he was chosen to be the preacher at Gray's Inn, London, and he remained there until 1626. In that year he returned to Cambridge as Master of St Catherine's Hall, and later returned to Holy Trinity, this time as its vicar. He was granted a Doctorate in Divinity in 1627, and was thereafter frequently referred to as 'the heavenly Doctor Sibbes'. He continued to exercise his ministry at Gray's Inn, London, and Holy Trinity, Cambridge, until his death on 6 July 1635 at the age of 58.
After earning his B.D. in 1610, Sibbes was appointed a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. Later, through the influence of friends, he was chosen to be the preacher at Gray's Inn, London, and he remained there until 1626. In that year he returned to Cambridge as Master of St Catherine's Hall, and later returned to Holy Trinity, this time as its vicar. He was granted a Doctorate in Divinity in 1627, and was thereafter frequently referred to as 'the heavenly Doctor Sibbes'. He continued to exercise his ministry at Gray's Inn, London, and Holy Trinity, Cambridge, until his death on 6 July 1635 at the age of 58.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 25, 2022
Fabulous book by good ol' doctor Sibbes. Truly so encouraging.
It is a compilation of four sermons that Sibbes preached on 2 Chronicles 34:26-28.
The first two dwell on Josiah's humble and gentle heart; how he was attune to God's words and humble in spirit. We are encouraged to do the same as Josiah, or else God will use His means to bring us to humility. Sibbes lays out proper steps to take to humble yourself and draw near to God.
The third sermon speaks on the Art of Mourning. As believers, we should mourn over our sin and over the sins of others- especially those that affect the church. He makes a strong case against those who have never shed a tear over sin.
And then, the last one is one the topic of everlasting rest- heaven. This was very encouraging in the beginning. However, I soon encountered a major disagreement that I have with Sibbes- the king's authority over the church. He equates the church with Israel and argues that our civil leaders should also have jurisdiction of the church based on Josiah's example. He focus is on the evils that have happened when the Pope is head of the Catholic Church, but I still disagree. This is the only caution I have with the book and this particular theological view does not rear its had anywhere else in the book.
Highly recommend for all believers. Very easy to read, captivating, and humbling.
It is a compilation of four sermons that Sibbes preached on 2 Chronicles 34:26-28.
The first two dwell on Josiah's humble and gentle heart; how he was attune to God's words and humble in spirit. We are encouraged to do the same as Josiah, or else God will use His means to bring us to humility. Sibbes lays out proper steps to take to humble yourself and draw near to God.
The third sermon speaks on the Art of Mourning. As believers, we should mourn over our sin and over the sins of others- especially those that affect the church. He makes a strong case against those who have never shed a tear over sin.
And then, the last one is one the topic of everlasting rest- heaven. This was very encouraging in the beginning. However, I soon encountered a major disagreement that I have with Sibbes- the king's authority over the church. He equates the church with Israel and argues that our civil leaders should also have jurisdiction of the church based on Josiah's example. He focus is on the evils that have happened when the Pope is head of the Catholic Church, but I still disagree. This is the only caution I have with the book and this particular theological view does not rear its had anywhere else in the book.
Highly recommend for all believers. Very easy to read, captivating, and humbling.
November 26, 2025
The Heavenly Doctor is always worth reading.
“Even as men that have their eyes dazzled will look upon some green colour to recover their sight again, so when we have wrought upon our souls and brought them to mourn, then to help and raise them up, we ought to look upon causes of joy and thankfulness.” (87)
“Even as men that have their eyes dazzled will look upon some green colour to recover their sight again, so when we have wrought upon our souls and brought them to mourn, then to help and raise them up, we ought to look upon causes of joy and thankfulness.” (87)
November 21, 2023
God brings certain books into your life, at the very best time.
February 8, 2024
Excels in application.
April 7, 2025
Sibbes’ work here is marvelous in showing that reformation must flow from a heart that is broken and reformed.
There is a great and insightful section at the end showing the necessity of the civil magistrate to call church councils if the reform of a nation and the churches in that nation will take place.
There is a great and insightful section at the end showing the necessity of the civil magistrate to call church councils if the reform of a nation and the churches in that nation will take place.
October 26, 2025
How can you keep your heart humble? Sibbes will show you the way.
April 9, 2024
Another Sibbes classic. He uses Josiah as an example of a the kind of heart a believer should have. Some quotes, "It is a sign of a tender heart to have a deep respect for God and the three person of the Trinity." "A compassionate heart is blessed, because it is the only one that hears God's word and does it; and it is always a merciful heart, and therefore blessed."
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews