A12190:143
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.
1And then when we believe in Christ, we offer and sacrifice our selves to God, in which respect we must (as it were) be killed ere we be offered; for we may not offer our selves as we are in our lusts, but as mortified and killed by Repentance. Then we offer our selves to God as a reasonable and living sacrifice, when we offer our selves wholly unto him, wit, understanding, judgement, affections and endeavour, as Paul saith of the Macedonians, 2they gave themselves to God first, and then their goods. In sum, it is that Sacrifice Paul speaks of, Rom. 12.1. To present our bodies a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, &c. for a Christian who believeth in the Lord Jesus, is not his own, but sacrificeth himself to him that was Sacrificed for him. As Christ is given to us, so he that believes in Christ gives himself back again to Christ. Hereby a man may know if he be a true Christian, and that Christ is his; if he yields up himself to God; for, Christ died and rose again (saith the Apostle) that he might be Lord both of quick and dead. Therefore (saith he) whether we live or die, we are not our own, what we do ⟨p. 47⟩or suffer in the world, in all we are Sacrificed, so saith a sanctified soul; my wit, my will, my life, my good, my affections are thine, of thee I received them; and I resign all to thee as a Sacrifice. Thus the Martyrs to seal the Truth (as a Sacrifice) yielded up their blood. He that hath not obtained of himself so much, as to yield himself to God, he knows not what the Gospel means; for Christian Religion is not only to believe in Christ for forgiveness of sin, but the same faith which takes this great benefit, renders back our selves in lieu of Thankfulness.
1And then when wee beleeve in Christ, wee offer and sacrifice our selves to God, in which respect we must (as it were) be killed ere we be offered; for wee may not offer our selves as we are in our lusts, but as mortified and killed by Repentance. Then we offer our selves to God as a reasonable and living sacrifice, when wee offer our selves wholy unto him, wit, understanding, judgement, affections and indeavour, as Paul saith of the Macedonians,