A12190:1042
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.
Answ. I answer, we may know by the Method Christ uses in convincing; First, he convinces of sin and then of righteousness; for a man to catch at righteousness before he be convinced of sin, it is but an usurpation; for the Holy Ghost first convinces of sin.
Answ. I answer, we may know by the Method Christ uses in convincing; First, he convinces of sinne and then of righteousnesse; for a man to catch at righteousnesse before hee bee convinced of sinne, it is but an usurpation; for the Holy Ghost first convinces of sinne.
Therefore you have many perish because they never were abased enough. Beloved, people are not lost enough, and not miserable enough for Christ, and not broken enough for him, and therefore they go without him. Quest. But how shall I know that the Holy Ghost hath convinced me enough of sin, so that I may without presumption apply the righteousness of Christ unto my self? Only thus, if the Holy Ghost have discovered my sinful condition of nature and life, Answ. so as to work in me an hatred of sin, and to alter my bent another way, and so make Christ sweet unto me, then I am sufficiently convinced of sin.
Therfore you have many perish because they never were abased enough. Beloved, people are not lost enough, and not miserable enough for Christ, and not broken enough for him, and therfore they go without him. Quest. But how shall I know that the Holy Ghost hath convinced me enough of sin, so that I may without presumption apply the righteousnesse of Christ unto my selfe? Onely thus, if the Holy Ghost have discovered my sinfull condition of nature and life, Answ. so as to worke in me an hatred of sin, and to alter my bent another way, and so make Christ sweet unto me, then I am sufficiently convinced of sinne.
This in answer to that Question by the way. To return in the next place, I may know I am convinced throughly of the righteousness of Christ by the witness and work of the Spirit. The Spirit brings light, and faith, the work of the Spirit hath a light of its own, as I know I believe, when I believe, but sometimes we have not the reflect act of faith whereby to evidence our own graces to our selves, but ever he that is convinced of the Spirit of God, his heart will be wrought to bear marvellous love to God; upon