A12190:233
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.
In Reformation, we must go not only to the outward delinquencies, but to the spring of them, which is some breach of the first Table.
In Reformation, we must goe not onely to the outward delinquencies, but to the spring of them, which is some breach of the first Table.
1The root of all sin is the deficiency of obedience to some command of the first Table, when confidence is not pitched aright in God, or when it is misapplied, and misfastened to the creature: when the soul sets up somewhat for a stay and prop unto it, which it should not do, this is a spiritual and a subtle sin, and must be repented of, as here, Ashur shall not ⟨p. 91⟩save us, &c. It were good therefore for all those who seriously intend the work of Repentance to take this course. If the gross fault be of the second Table; take occasion of sorrow and mourning thence; but when you have begun there, resolve and bring all to the breeding sin of all, which is, the fastening of the soul falsely: when it is not well fastened and bottomed in the root. And therefore it was well done by Luther, who in a Catechism of his brings in the First Commandment into all the Commandments of the first and second Table. Thou shalt have no other gods but me, Therefore thou shalt sanctify the Sabbath; Honour thy Father and Mother, shalt not take my Name in vain: shalt not Commit Adultery, shalt not steal, &c. Because he that hath no god but that God in his heart, will be sure to sanctify the Sabbath; Honour his Father and Mother, not Commit Adultery, nor steal. And whence come all the breaches of the Second Table? Hence, that there is not the true fear and love of God in our hearts, and it is just with God for their spiritual sins, to give them up to carnal and gross sins. Therefore, though the Israelites here, had many gross sins to repent of, yet they go to the spring head, the breeding sin of all, false Confidence; this is to deal throughly, to go to the core. Ashur shall not save us, we will not ride upon Horses. From whence in the third place, they descend to the next branch of their sin, Idolatry.