A12190:217
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.
Observ. That when God alters and changes and moldeth a new the heart of a man to Repentance, he altereth his confidence in the creature.
A Christian state will not trust in Ashur, nor ⟨p. 79⟩in Horses, it is true both of state and persons. The Reason will follow after in the end of the verse: For in thee the Fatherless findeth mercy. Reason. Because, when a man hath once repented, there is a closing between God and him, and he seeth an All-sufficiency in God to satisfy all his desires. Therefore he will use all other things as helps, and as far as it may stand with his favour. For, he hath Moses eye put in him,1 a new eye to see him that is invisible, to see God in his greatness, and other things in their right estimate as vain things. What is Repentance, but a change of the mind, when a man comes to be wise and judicious, as indeed repentant men are the only wise men. Then a man hath an esteem of God to be Elshady, All-sufficient, and all other things to be as they are uncertain; that is, they are so to day, as that they may be otherwise to morrow: for that is the nature of the creatures, they are in Potentia, in a possibility to be other things then they are. God is alway, I am, alway the same, there is not so much as a shadow of changing in him. Wherefore when the soul hath attained unto this spiritual eye-sight and wisdom; if it be a sinful association with Egypt or Ashur, with this Idolater or that, he will not meddle; and as for other helps, he will not use them further then as subordinate means. When a man is converted, he hath not a double, not a divided heart; to trust partly to God, and partly to the creature: If God fail him he hath Ashur ⟨p. 80⟩and horses enough, and association with all round about, but a Christian he will use all helps as they may stand with the favour of God, and are subordinate under him. Now for Trial.
A Christian state will not trust in Ashur, nor