A12190:1009
The returning backslider, or, A commentary upon the whole XIIII. chapter of the prophecy…The returning backslider, or, A commentarie upon the whole XIIII. chapter of the prophecy…
The returning backslider, or, A commentary upon the whole XIIII. chapter of the prophecy of the prophet Hosea Wherein is showed the large extent of Gods free mercy, even unto the most miserable forlorn and wretched sinners that may be, upon their humiliation and repentance. Preached by that learned and judicious divine, Dr. Sibbs, late preacher to the honourable society of Gray's Inn, and master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge. Published by his own permission before his death.The returning backslider, or, A commentarie upon the whole XIIII. chapter of the prophecy of the prophet Hosea Wherein is shewed the large extent of Gods free mercy, even unto the most miserable forlorne and wretched sinners that may be, upon their humiliation and repentance. Preached by that learned and judicious divine, Dr. Sibbs, late preacher to the honourable society of Grayes Inne, and master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge. Published by his owne permission before his death.
London: printed by George for George Edwards, 1639
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
So then, the Spirit of God brings a commanding light into the soul undeniable; thou art thus and thus, here no shifting, no winding and turning will serve the turn, when the Holy Ghost comes with this light. I do but plainly unfold this.
So then, the Spirit of God brings a commanding light into the soule undeniable; thou art thus and thus, here no shifting, no winding and turning will serve the turne, when the Holy Ghost comes with this light. I doe but plainely unfold this.
This Conviction of the Holy Ghost is not in general only, that all men are sinners, but particular and strong, thou art a sinner, and thou art in danger of damnation; And it is universal, taking in sins of nature, sins of life, sins of the understanding, will, and affections, and it is not of sin only, but of the misery by sin, of the danger, folly, and madness of sin, and of the aggravations that greaten sin: as of stifling so many good motions, withstanding so many means, abusing so many mercies. The Holy Ghost Convinces us throughly, that we can have nothing to reply. Because I have spoken of this before, I am short. Beloved, unless the Holy Ghost Convince, there will be no Convincing, our deceitful hearts have so many windings and turnings; proud nature arms it self with defences, as a hedge-hog winds himself round and defends himself by his pricks. So you have many clothe themselves with strong words, ill translations upon others, frivolous mitigations, the way of the multitude, as with a coat of male to keep out this Conviction, that did not the Holy Ghost strike in hard with their consciences, Thou art ⟨p. 493⟩the man; this work would never be done.
This Conviction of the Holy Ghost is not in generall onely, that all men are sinners, but particular and strong, thou art a sinner, and thou art in danger of damnation; And it is universall, taking in sins of nature, sins of life, sins of the understanding, will, and affections, and it is not of sinne onely, but of the misery by sinne, of the danger, folly, and madnesse of sinne, and of the aggravations that greaten sinne: as of stifling so many good motions, withstanding so many meanes, abusing so many mercies. The Holy Ghost Convinces us throughly, that wee can have nothing to reply. Because I have spoken of this before, I am short. Beloved, unlesse the Holy Ghost Convince, there will be no Convincing, our deceitfull hearts have so many windings and turnings; proud nature armes it selfe with defences, as a hedge-hogg winds himselfe round and defends himself by his pricks. So you have many cloath themselves with strong words, ill translations upon others, frivolous mitigations, the way of the multitude, as with a coate of male to keep out this Conviction, that did not the Holy Ghost strike in hard with their consciences, Thou art