A12190:207
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.
So that, take him in all these three relations, he is not to be trusted.
1. He is a Creature, what is a Creature? nothing as it were, saith the Prophet, all creatures before him are as nothing, and as a very little thing; and what it is, when he pleaseth he can dissolve it into nothing, turn it into dust. Mans breath is in his nostrils, all flesh is grass, and all his glory as the flower of grass. If a man trust the creature, he may outlive his trust, his prop may be taken from him and down he falls. Ashur must not be trusted therefore as a Creature; nor as a Man, for that brings us within the Curse: Jer. 17.5. Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, &c. So trusting in the creature not only deceives us, but brings us within the Curse. In that respect, Ashur must not be trusted.
1. He is a Creature, what is a Creature? nothing as it were, saith the Prophet, all creatures before him are as nothing, and as a very little thing; and what it is, when he pleaseth he can dissolve it into nothing, turne it into dust. Mans breath is in his nostrills, all flesh is grasse, and all his glory as the flower of grasse. If a man trust the creature, he may outlive his trust, his prop may be taken from him and downe he falls. Ashur must not be trusted therfore as a Creature; nor as a Man, for that brings us within the Curse: Ier. 17.5. Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arme, &c. So trusting in the creature not onely deceives us, but brings us within the Curse. In that respect, Ashur must not be trusted.
But Ashur likewise was an Enemy, and a secret enemy: for howsoever the ten Tribes unto whom Hosea prophesied were great Idolaters, yet they were somewhat better then Ashur, who was without the pale of the Church, and a wholly corrupted Church: therefore they