A12190:225
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.
1Let us therefore take heed of carnal confidence. You have a number who love to sleep in a whole skin, and will be sure to take the safest courses (as they think) not consulting with God, but with flesh and blood. It might be instanced in stories of former times how God hath crossed Emperors and great men in this kind, were it not too tedious. But for present instance, you have many who will be of no settled Religion, O they cannot tell, there may be a change, therefore they will be sure to offend neither part: this is their policy, and if they be in place, they will reform nothing; O I shall lay my self open to advantages, and stir up ⟨p. 85⟩enemies against me: and so they will not trust God, but have carnal devices, to turn off all duty whatsoever. It is an ordinary speech, but very true: Policy overthrows Policy. It is true of carnal Policy, when a man goes by carnal rules to be governed by Gods enemy, and his own; with his own wit and understanding, which leads him to outward things: this kind of Policy overthrows all policy and outward government at length. Those that walk Religiously and by Rule, they walk most confidently and securely as the issue will show; Therefore, consider that (set God aside) all is but vanity, And that
1Let us therefore take heed of carnall confidence. You have a number who love to sleepe in a whole skinne, and will bee sure to take the safest courses (as they thinke) not consulting with God, but with flesh and blood. It might bee instanced in stories of former times how God hath crossed Emperours and great men in this kind, were it not too tedious. But for present instance, you have many who will be of no setled Religion, O they cannot tell, there may be a change, therefore they will be sure to offend neither part: this is their policie, and if they be in place, they will reforme nothing; O I shall lay my selfe open to advantages, and stirre up ⟨p. 85⟩enemies against me: and so they will not trust God, but have carnall devices, to turne off all duty whatsoever. It is an ordinary speech, but very true: Policie overthrowes Policie. It is true of carnall Policie, when a man goes by carnall rules to be governed by Gods enemy, and his owne; with his owne wit and understanding, which leades him to outward things: this kinde of Policie overthrowes all policie and outward government at length. Those that walke Religiously and by Rule, they walke most confidently and securely as the issue will shew; Therefore, consider that (set God aside) all is but vanity, And that