A12190:196
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.
Use. 1Therefore let us make an Use of Examination and trial of our Repentance. If it be sound, it draws with it a reformation, as in general, so especially of our particular sins, as those, 1 Sam. 12.8. confess and say, Above all other things we have sinned in this, in asking a King. We were naught and had offended God many ways before, but herein we have been exceeding sinful, in seeking another Governor, being weary of Gods gracious Government over us. So a gracious heart will say, I have been a wretch in all other things, but in this and that sin above all other. Thus it was with the woman of Samaria, 2when she was put in mind by Christ of her particular grand sin, that she had been a light woman and had had many husbands, he whom she lived with now not being her husband. This discovery (when Christ touched the galled part) did so work upon her conscience, that it occasioned a general repentance of all her other sins whatsoever. And indeed sound repentance of one main sin, will draw with it all the rest. And for the most part when God brings any man home to him, he so carries our repentance, that discovering unto us our sinfulness, he especially shows us our Delilah, Isaac, Herodias, our particular sin, which being cast out, we prevail easily against the rest. As the charge was given by the King of Aram against Ahab, 3fight neither against ⟨p. 69⟩great nor small, but only against the King of Israel, kill him, and then there will be an end of the battle. So let us not stand striking at this and that sin which we are not so much tempted to, if we will indeed prove our repentance to be sound, but at that main sin which by nature, calling or custom we are most prone unto. Repentance for this causes Repentance for all the rest, as here the Church saith, Ashur shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses, &c.
Vse. 1Therefore let us make an Use of Examination and triall of our Repentance. If it be sound, it drawes with it a reformation, as in generall, so especially of our particular sinnes, as those,