A12190:209
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.
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 ⟨p. 74⟩were enemies to the ten Tribes, and amongst other reasons, because they were not so bad as they, nor deeply enough died with Idolatry.
But Ashur likewise was an Enemy, and a secret enemie: for howsoever the ten Tribes unto whom Hosea prophecied were great Idolaters, yet they were somewhat better then Ashur, who was without the pale of the Church, and a wholy corrupted Church: therefore they ⟨p. 74⟩were enemies to the ten Tribes, and amongst other reasons, because they were not so bad as they, nor deeply enough died with Idolatry.
Many think they may comply with Popery in some few things to gain their love, and that there may be a joining with them in this and that: but do we think that they will ever trust us for all this? No, they will alway hate us till we be as bad as they, and then they will despise us, and secure themselves of us. Therefore there is no trusting of Papists, as Papists: not only Creatures, but as false, and as enemies. For this is the nature of wicked men, they will never trust better then themselves, till they become as bad as they are, after which they despise them; say they, now we may trust such and such a one, he is as bad as we, become one of us. Which is the reason why some of a naughty disposition take away the chastity and virginity of mens consciences, making them take this and that evil course: and then they think they have such safe, being as bad as themselves. Wherein they deal as Achitophels politic devilish counsel was,1 that Absalom should do that which was naught, and then he should be sure that David and he should never agree after that: and that then by this discovery, the wicked Jews set on mischief might secure themselves of Absalom. So they, now that they join with us, God will forsake them, we shall have them our instruments for any thing. First, they would have the ten Tribes as bad as