A12190:226
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.
First,1 in regard they do not yield that which we expect they should yield: there is a falsehood in the things,2 they promise this and that in shows, but when we possess them, they yield it not; as they have no strength in deed, so they deceive. Then also, There is a mutability in them; 3for there is nothing in the world but changes, there is a vanity of corruption in them; all things at last come to an end, save God,4 who is unchangeable. Then again besides the intrinsical vanity in all outward things, and whatsoever carnal reason leads unto, They are snares and baits unto us, to draw us away from God, by reason of the vanity of our nature, vainer then the things themselves: therefore take heed of confidence in any thing, or else this will be the issue, we shall be worse then the things we trust, Vanity of vanities, 5all things are ⟨p. 86⟩vanity, 6and man himself is lighter then vanity saith the Psalmist, he that trusts to vanity is worse then vanity, a man cannot stare non stante, stand on a thing that cannot stand it self; a man cannot stand on a thing that is mutable and changeable, if he doth, he is vain with the thing. Even as a picture drawn upon ice, as the ice dissolves, so the picture vanisheth away. So it is with all confidence in the creature whatsoever, it is like a picture upon ice, which vanisheth with the things themselves. He that stands upon a slippery thing slips with the thing he stands on. If there were no Word of God against it, yet this much may be sufficient out of the Principles of Reason to show the folly of trusting to Ashur and Horses and the like.
First,1 in regard they doe not yeeld that which we expect they should yeeld: there is a falshood in the things,