A12190:1038
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.
Object. I must answer some Cases that many a poor soul is troubled withal. Alas I am not convinced by the Spirit that Christ is my righteousness, therefore what case am I in?
Object. I must answer some Cases that many a poore soule is troubled withall. Alas I am not convinced by the Spirit that Christ is my righteousnesse, therefore what case am I in?
Answ. I answer, some are more strongly convinced, and some less. Let a man be careless of holy duties, and he is less convinced, but let him be constant therein and he shall find the Holy Ghost convincing him more strongly, that the righteousness of Christ is his; there are many presumptuous persons that turn the grace of God into wantonness, who because through the Enthusiasms of Satan they never question their estate, but conceit themselves to be good men and in the estate of grace, think this to be the convincing of the Holy Ghost: whereas this is a general rule, Spiritual convincing is not total but always leaves in the heart some drugs of doubting, as a ship that rides at anchor, though it may reel too and fro, yet is it safe for the main. So it is with the soul that is truly convinced, it is safe for the main, yet it is tumbled and tossed with many doubts and fears, but their Anchor is in Heaven.
Answ. I answer, some are more strongly convinced, and some lesse. Let a man be carelesse of holy duties, and he is lesse convinced, but let him be constant therein and he shall finde the Holy Ghost convincing him more strongly, that the righteousnesse of Christ is his; there are many presumptuous persons that turne the grace of God into wantonnesse, who because through the Enthusiasmes of Satan they never question their estate, but conceit themselves to be good men and in the estate of grace, think this to be the convincing of the Holy Ghost: whereas this is a generall rule, Spirituall convincing is not totall but alwaies leaves in the heart some drugs of doubting, as a ship that rides at anchor, though it may reele too and fro, yet is it safe for the maine. So it is with the soule that is truely convinced, it is safe for the maine, yet it is tumbled and tossed with many doubts and feares, but their Anchor is in Heaven.