A12190:126
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.
Take away our iniquity and do us good, we should make this petition for the Church and our selves, pardon our sins and do good to us, to our persons, to the state, to the times wherein we live, to the Church at home and abroad, do good to all.1
Take away our iniquity and doe us good, wee should make this petition for the Church and our selves, pardon our sinnes and doe good to us, to our persons, to the state, to the times wherein we live, to the Church at home and abroad, doe good to all.1
- 1How to know when blessings enjoyed come from Gods love.
An• we may observe this from the order; and know, what good we have, it comes from God ⟨p. 38⟩in love, when it comes after forgiveness of sins. How then may we take comfort of all the good things we have enjoyed, having seen many good days, enjoyed many good blessings, in health, wealth, good Magistracy, Ministry, Peace, plenty and the like? If all this goodness of God lead us to God, and draw us nearer unto him after forgiveness of sins (grounded on the former evidences I spake of) then they come in love. But never let us think to have true comfort with a blessing, or any good thing we enjoy, till we have assurance of Gods love and mercy in the forgiveness of sins; least God strip us naked of all the good things we have, and make us as naked as Dives in Hell, who had not (any thing that was good) to refresh his body or soul. So that all good things we enjoy here without this, will only aggravate our condemnation. Let us observe therefore, how all our good things are joined with spiritual good, whether we our selves are made better by them or not, having our sins pardoned. I beseech you let us renew our requests for forgiveness of sins every day, making our accounts even with God: desiring grace to set our souls in a holy and sanctified frame with God, that our selves may be good, our conversation good: and that then, he would do good to us all other ways, and sanctify all other things. This is the Method of Gods Spirit in setting us right onwards in our heavenly journey: first to have forgiveness of sins,