A12190:1016
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.
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?1 because he did untomb them and discover the dead mens bones within. So many now a days that are convinced, hate any that by life or speech discover their sin unto them, if it were possible and in their power to the death. Thus the Holy Ghost convinces of sin. But before I leave this point, let me add this from the reason or ground of this Conviction [because they believe not in me] That unbelief makes all other sins damnable, no sin is damnable if we could believe and repent. Therefore we are convinced of sin, because we do not believe: as we say of a man that is condemned, because he cannot read, therefore he is condemned, he should escape if he could read being for no great fault; so it is here, it is not believing in Christ and repenting ⟨p. 496⟩makes all other sins deadly.
Therefore as we desire to be saved, and to stand with comfort before God at the day of judgement, let us desire and indeavour to bee throughly Convinced of sinne. Take heed of resisting the Spirit of God in the Ministery: why are so many led captive of their lusts, but because they hate the Ministery of the Word, they looke upon it as Ahab did upon Elias, Hast thou found me, O my Enemy. They naturally are in love with their sinnes, and there is none so much hated as those that present themselves to themselves. A man take him in his pure naturalls 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?1 because he did untombe them and discover the dead mens bones within. So many now a daies that are convinced, hate any that by life or speech discover their sinne unto them, if it were possible and in their power to the death. Thus the Holy Ghost convinces of sin. But before I leave this point, let me adde this from the reason or ground of this Conviction [because they beleeve not in me] That unbeleefe makes all other sinnes damnable, no sinne is damnable if we could beleeve and repent. Therefore we are convinced of sin, because we doe not beleeve: as we say of a man that is condemned, because he cannot reade, therefore he is condemned, he should escape if he could reade being for no great fault; so it is here, it is not beleeving in Christ and repenting