A12190:1015
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.
Use. Come we therefore to make some Use. The Spirit doth Convince of sin. But how? by the Ministry ordinarily, though not alone by the Ministry. Therefore we must labour willingly to submit to the Ministry Convincing of sin. Conscience will Convince first or last. Is it not better to have a saving Conviction now to purpose, then to have a bare desperate Conviction in Hell. O beloved all the admonitions we hear, if we regard them not now, we shall hereafter, therefore labour to make good use of this Sword of the Spirit of God, and it is an argument of a good heart to wish, O that the Ministry might meet with my corruption, that it may be discovered to me to the full. A true heart thinks sin the greatest enemy, and of all other miseries it desires to be freed from the thraldom thereof; For that defiles Heaven and Earth and separates God from his creature. Its that that threw Angels out of Heaven, Adam out of Paradise. What embitters blessings and puts a sting into all afflictions but sin? if it were not for sin we would take up any cross, and bear any affliction more quietly then we do.
Vse. Come we therefore to make some Use. The Spirit doth Convince of sinne. But how? by the Ministery ordinarily, though not alone by the Ministery. Therefore we must labour willingly to submit to the Ministery Convincing of sinne. Conscience will Convince first or last. Is it not better to have a saving Conviction now to purpose, then to have a bare desperate Conviction in Hell. O beloved all the admonitions wee heare, if we regard them not now, we shall hereafter, therefore labour to make good use of this Sword of the Spirit of God, and it is an argument of a good heart to wish, O that the Ministery might meet with my corruption, that it may be discovered to me to the full. A true heart thinkes sin the greatest enemy, and of all other miseries it desires to bee freed from the thraldome thereof; For that defiles Heaven and Earth and separates God from his creature. Its that that threw Angels out of Heaven, Adam out of Paradice. What imbitters blessings and puts a sting into all afflictions but sin? if it were not for sin we would take up any crosse, and beare any affliction more quietly then we doe.
Therefore as we desire to be saved, and to stand with comfort before God at the day of judgement, let us desire and endeavour to be throughly Convinced of sin. Take heed of resisting the Spirit of God in the Ministry: why are so many led captive of their lusts, but because they hate the Ministry of the Word, they look upon it as Ahab did upon Elijah, Hast thou found me, O my Enemy. They naturally are in love with their sins, and there is none so much hated as those that present themselves to themselves. A man take him in his pure naturals is a foolish creature, his heart rises against Conviction. You see the Pharisees, Wise men, Learned men, being convinced they hated Christ to the death; why?