A12190:204
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.
How prone so ever we are to rely upon them, they are in effect nothing, they cannot help us, and so are not to be relied upon. Ashur shall not save us. Indeed it will not, it cannot; these things cannot aid us at our most need. So that that which we most pitch upon, fails us when we should especially have help; some present vanishing supply they yield: but little to purpose. ⟨p. 72⟩They have not that in them, which should support the soul at a strait or great pinch as we say.
How prone so ever we are to rely upon them, they are in effect nothing, they cannot helpe us, and so are not to be relied upon. Ashur shall not save us. Indeed it will not, it cannot; these things cannot aid us at our most need. So that that which we most pitch upon, failes us when we should especially have helpe; some present vanishing supply they yeeld: but little to purpose. ⟨p. 72⟩They have not that in them, which should support the soule at a straite or great pinch as we say.
Reason. The Reason is largely given by Solomon in the whole book of Ecclesiastes, All is vanity and vexation of spirit. There is a vanity in all the creatures, being empty and not able to support the soul. They are vain in their continuance, and empty in regard of their strength, they are gone when we have need of them. Riches (as the Wise man saith) are gone,1 and have wings to fly away in our most need. So Friends, are fugitive good things, being like to the brooks mentioned in Job: 2which when in Summer there is need of, then they are dried up, and yet run a main in Winter when there is no need of them. So earthly supports, when there is no need of them, then they are at hand, but when we have most need of them are gone. They are broken Cisterns,