A12190:1027
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.
Gradation. 2 Now for the second, that it is not in any creature, men or Angels; we have not a righteousness of our own; for there are divers things to be satisfied, God himself, and the Law, and our own consciences, and the world. Perhaps we may have a righteousness to satisfy the world, because we live civilly; O but that will not satisfy conscience; And then there must be a satisfaction to the Law, which is a large thing that condemns our thoughts, desires, but God is the most perfect of all. Put case we have a righteousness of a good carriage among men, this will not satisfy God, and the Law, it will not satisfy conscience; men they are our fellow-prisoners, conscience will not be contented but with that which will content God, when conscience sees there is such a righteousness found out by the wisdom of God that contents him, else conscience will be always in doubts and fears.
Gradation. 2 Now for the second, that it is not in any creature, men or Angels; we have not a righteousnesse of our owne; for there are divers things to be satisfied, God himselfe, and the Law, and our owne consciences, and the world. Perhaps we may have a righteousnesse to satisfie the world, because we live civilly; O but that will not satisfie conscience; And then there must be a satisfaction to the Law, which is a large thing that condemnes our thoughts, desires, but God is the most perfect of all. Put case we have a righteousnesse of a good carriage among men, this will not satisfie God, and the Law, it will not satisfie conscience; men they are our fellow-prisoners, conscience will not be contented but with that which will content God, when conscience sees there is such a righteousnesse found out by the wisedome of God that contents him, else conscience will be alwaies in doubts and feares.
Gradation. 3 Thirdly, this righteousness is to be had in Christ. What is the righteousness of Christ? The righteousness of Christ is that righteousness that is founded upon his obedience, active fulfilling the Law, and passive discharging all our debts, satisfying Gods Justice; the meritoriousness of both of them is founded upon the purity of his Nature, all his sufferings and doings had their excellency from the personal Union of God and Man, in reference to which Union we may without blasphemy aver that God performed the Law, God died for us.