A12190:1045
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.
Again, where the Holy Ghost convinces enough, there is inward peace and great joy suitable to the righteousness. As the righteousness is an excellent righteousness of God-Man, so that peace and joy that comes from it is unspeakable peace and joy: So that when the heart sees it self instated in peace and joy, as you have it, Rom. 5. Being justified by faith we have peace towards God, not only inward peace and joy, but a peace that will show it self abroad, a glorious peace, a peace that will make us glory, verse 3. We glory in tribulation. A hard matter to glory in abasement: not only so, but we glory in God, God is ours, and Christs righteousness ours; when Christ hath satisfied Gods wrath, then we may make our boast of God.
Againe, where the Holy Ghost convinces enough, there is inward peace and great joy sutable to the righteousnesse. As the righteousnesse is an excellent righteousnesse of God-Man, so that peace and joy that comes from it is unspeakable peace and joy: So that when the heart sees it selfe instated in peace and joy, as you have it, Rom. 5. Being justified by faith wee have peace towards God, not only inward peace and joy, but a peace that will shew it selfe abroad, a glorious peace, a peace that will make us glory, verse 3. We glory in tribulation. A hard matter to glory in abasement: not only so, but we glory in God, God is ours, and Christs righteousnesse ours; when Christ hath satisfied Gods wrath, then we may make our boast of God.
Again, where this conviction of righteousness is, it answers all objections, the doubting heart will object this and that, but the Spirit of God shows an All-sufficiency in Christs obedience, and that sets the soul down quietly in all crosses, ⟨p. 507⟩and calms it in all storms in some degree. Where the soul is convinced of the righteousness of Christ, there the conscience demands boldly: It is God that justifies, who shall condemn? It is Christ that is dead and risen again and sits at the right hand of God; Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen. So that a convinced conscience dares all creatures in Heaven and Earth, it works strongly and boldly. I shall not need to enlarge this, you know whether you are convinced. Use. To end the point, I beseech you labour to live by this faith, here is an evidence if we can live by it? How is that? Every day to make use of the righteousness of Christ, as every day we run into sin. Be sure we have our consciences sprinkled with the blood of Christ, that as we increase new guilt, so we may have a new pardon, therefore every day labour to see God as reconciled, and Christ as our Advocate with the Father. Christ is now in Heaven, if we sin, make use of him, this should be the life of a Christian, to make use of Christs righteousness; when you find nature polluted, go to God, and say, Lord my nature though foul in it self, yet is holy and pure in Christ, He took the weakness of the humane nature unto him that he might communicate the worth and efficacy of his divine nature unto me, and for my actions I am a sinner, but Christ hath fully discharged all my debts, and is now in Heaven, he hath performed all righteousness for me. Look not upon me as in my self, but look