A12190:1041
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.
Use. Thus we see how the Holy Ghost convinceth us of righteousness, other things I must omit. If this be so, I beseech you let us not loose our privileges and prerogatives, doth God give grace, and give Christ with all his righteousness, and shall not we improve them? Let us use this righteousness in all temptations. Let us plead it to God himself, when he seems to be our enemy. Lord thou hast ordained a righteousness, the righteousness of Christ, that hath given full satisfaction to thy justice, and he hath given me a title to Heaven: howsoever my soul be in darkness, yet Lord I come unto thee in the name of my Saviour, that thou wouldest persuade my soul of that righteousness. I would glorify thy Name. Wherein wilt thou be glorified? In mercy or justice? O in mercy above all. I cannot glorify thee in thy mercy, unless thou persuade me ⟨p. 504⟩of the righteousness of Christ. Can I love thee except thou love me first? Canst thou have any free and voluntary obedience from me, unless J be convinced that Christ is mine? Now Lord I beseech thee, let me be such as thou mayest take delight in. Beloved, since we have means of such a gift, let us never rest till we have it. If Satan set upon us, hold this out, if he tell thee thou art a sinner, tell him I have a greater righteousness then my own, even the righteousness of God-Man, I have a righteousness above all my unrighteousness. Satan saith God is displeased with me, J but he is more pleased with me in Christ then displeased with me in my self. Satan saith J have sinned against God, I but not against the remedy, send Satan to Christ. O but thou hast a corrupt nature that makes thee run into this sin and that sin; but there is a spring of mercy in God, and an over-running fountain of righteousness in Christ, an over-flowing sea of the blood of Christ. Therefore let us labour to improve this righteousness of Christ to God and Satan, and against all temptations, yea against our own consciences; I am thus & thus; yet God is thus and thus, all his Attributes are conveyed to me in Christ. Let us exalt God and Christ, and set up Christ above our sins, above any thing in the world, as S. Paul, who counted all things dung and dross for the excellent knowledge of Christ. Quest. You will ask me, How shall we know whether we be convinced of this righteousness ⟨p. 505⟩or no?
Vse. Thus we see how the Holy Ghost convinceth us of righteousnesse, other things I must omit. If this be so, I beseech you let us not loose our priviledges and prerogatives, doth God give grace, and give Christ with all his righteousnesse, and shall not we improove them? Let us use this righteousnesse in all temptations. Let us pleade it to God himselfe, when hee seemes to be our enemy. Lord thou hast ordained a righteousnesse, the righteousnesse of Christ, that hath given full satisfaction to thy justice, and he hath given me a title to Heaven: howsoever my soule be in darkenesse, yet Lord I come unto thee in the name of my Saviour, that thou wouldest perswade my soule of that righteousnesse. I would glorifie thy Name. Wherein wilt thou be glorified? In mercy or justice? O in mercy above all. I cannot glorifie thee in thy mercy, unlesse thou perswade me