A12190:1030
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.
Quest. But you will ask me, how doth the Holy Ghost convince me of the righteousness of Christ?
Quest. But you will aske me, how doth the Holy Ghost convince me of the righteousnesse of Christ?
Answ. I answer, First the Holy Ghost presents to the soul the knowledge of this excellent righteousness, and then creates a hand of faith to embrace it being proposed; you that are humble and ⟨p. 499⟩broken-hearted sinners, here is Christ for you. The Spirit of God doth not only reveal the excellency of Christ, but that this belongs to me, that Christ is given for me, and that revelation of the Spirit doth sway the soul, when the Spirit doth not tell in general only, that Christ is an excellent Saviour, but shall relate to a Christian soul God gave Christ for thee: this sways the heart to rest upon Christ, whereupon the marriage is made up between the soul and Christ, the soul says I am Christs, and I give my self to Christ, and to whatsoever accompanies Christ: and then as it is in marriage, the persons by virtue of that relation have interest into each others substance and estate. So when this mystical marriage is made up between Christ and us, we have a right unto Christ by all rights, by titles of purchase and redemption; He hath purchased Heaven for us, and us for Heaven; all that Christ hath is ours, all his good is ours, our sins his, and his righteousness ours; So when the Holy Ghost convinces me of Christs righteousness, and gives me faith to embrace it, then Christ is mine with all he hath. By this I have spoken you may see how the Spirit convinces, do but imagine what a blessed condition the soul is in when this match is made.
Answ. I answer, First the Holy Ghost presents to the soule the knowledge of this excellent righteousnesse, and then creates a hand of faith to imbrace it being proposed; you that are humble and ⟨p. 499⟩broken-hearted sinners, here is Christ for you. The Spirit of God doth not onely reveale the excellency of Christ, but that this belongs to me, that Christ is given for me, and that revelation of the Spirit doth sway the soule, when the Spirit doth not tell in generall onely, that Christ is an excellent Saviour, but shall relate to a Christian soule God gave Christ for thee: this swayes the heart to rest upon Christ, whereupon the marriage is made up betweene the soule and Christ, the soule saies I am Christs, and I give my selfe to Christ, and to whatsoever accompanies Christ: and then as it is in marriage, the persons by vertue of that relation have interest into each others substance and estate. So when this mysticall marriage is made up betweene Christ and us, wee have a right unto Christ by all rights, by titles of purchase and redemption; He hath purchased Heaven for us, and us for Heaven; all that Christ hath is ours, all his good is ours, our sinnes his, and his righteousnesse ours; So when the Holy Ghost convinces me of Christs righteousnesse, and gives me faith to imbrace it, then Christ is mine with all he hath. By this I have spoken you may see how the Spirit convinces, doe but imagine what a blessed condition the soule is in when this match is made.