A12190:1036
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.
Reason. 3 Again it must needs be a work of the Spirit, because flesh and blood is full of pride and would fain have some righteousness of their own, the Jews were of this temper, and it hath been the greatest question from the beginning of the world till this day, what is that righteousness whereby we must stand before God, but Gods Spirit answers all objections. Beloved, the best of us though in an estate of grace, if the Holy Ghost do not convince us, we shall be in darkness and call all into question, therefore we must not be convinced only at the first, but in a continued course of Christianity: unless the Holy Ghost doth this, we shall fall into a dungeon of darkness, therefore the convincing of the Holy Ghost is necessary.
Reason. 3 Againe it must needs be a worke of the Spirit, because flesh and blood is full of pride and would faine have some righteousnesse of their owne, the Jewes were of this temper, and it hath beene the greatest question from the beginning of the world till this day, what is that righteousnesse whereby we must stand before God, but Gods Spirit answers all objections. Beloved, the best of us though in an estate of grace, if the Holy Ghost doe not convince us, we shall be in darkenesse and call all into question, therfore we must not bee convinced onely at the first, but in a continued course of Christianity: unlesse the Holy Ghost doth this, we shall fall into a dungeon of darkenesse, therefore the convincing of the Holy Ghost is necessary.
Beloved this should make us take heed how we hear, and how we read, even to beg this convincing of the Spirit in every Ordinance. O Lord vouchsafe the Spirit of revelation, and take the scales off mine eyes, that as these are ⟨p. 502⟩truths of themselves, so they may be truths to me. Sway my soul that I may cast my self upon thy mercy in Christ, &c.
Beloved this should make us take heed how we heare, and how we reade, even to beg this convincing of the Spirit in every Ordinance. O Lord vouchsafe the Spirit of revelation, and take the scales off mine eyes, that as these are