A12190:160
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.
And with our own unworthiness, add this, a consideration of the greatness of the thing we bless ⟨p. 52⟩God for: setting as high a price upon it as we can, by considering what and how miserable we were without it. He will bless God joyfully for pardon of sin who sees how miserable he were without it, in misery next to devils, ready to drop into hell every moment: and the more excellent we are, so much the more accursed without the forgiveness of sins. For the soul by reason of the largeness thereof, is so much the more capable and comprehensible of misery, as the devils are more capable then we, therefore are most accursed. O this will make us bless God for the pardon of sin, and likewise, let us set a price upon all Gods blessings, considering what we were without our senses, speech, meat, drink, rest, &c. O beloved, we forget to praise God sufficiently for our senses. This little spark of Reason in us, is an excellent thing; grace is founded upon it, if we were without Reason, what were we? If we wanted sight, hearing, speech, rest, and other daily blessings, how uncomfortable were our lives? This consideration will add and set a price to their worth, and make us thankful to consider our misery without them. But (such is our corruption) that favours are more known by the want then by the enjoying of them, when too late we (many times) find, how dark and uncomfortable we are without them, then smarting the more soundly; because in time we did not sufficiently prize, and were thankful for them.
And with our owne unworthinesse, add this, a consideration of the greatnesse of the thing we blesse ⟨p. 52⟩God for: setting as high a price upon it as wee can, by considering what and how miserable we were without it. He will blesse God joyfully for pardon of sin who sees how miserable he were without it, in misery next to divels, ready to drop into hell every moment: and the more excellent we are, so much the more accursed without the forgivenesse of sinnes. For the soule by reason of the largenesse thereof, is so much the more capable and comprehensible of misery, as the divels are more capable then wee, therefore are most accursed. O this will make us blesse God for the pardon of sinne, and likewise, let us set a price upon all Gods blessings, considering what we were without our senses, speech, meate, drinke, rest, &c. O beloved, we forget to praise God sufficiently for our senses. This little sparke of Reason in us, is an excellent thing; grace is founded upon it, if we were without Reason, what were we? If we wanted sight, hearing, speech, rest, and other daily blessings, how uncomfortable were our lives? This consideration will add and set a price to their worth, and make us thankfull to consider our misery without them. But (such is our corruption) that favours are more knowne by the want then by the enjoying of them, when too late we (many times) finde, how dark and uncomfortable we are without them, then smarting the more soundly; because in time we did not sufficiently prize, and were thankfull for them.