A12190:253
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. Usually it is thus with man, he never Repents till sin be embittered to him.
Observ. Vsually it is thus with man, hee never Repents till sinne be imbittered to him.
He never alters his confidence,1 till his trusts be taken away; when God overthrows the mould of his devises, or brings them upon his own head, setting him to reap the fruit of his own ways; embittering sinful courses to him, then he returns. Instruction without correction doth for the most part little good. When Ashur had dealt falsely with them, and Idolatry would do them no good, then they begin to alter their judgement. What makes men after too much confidence in their wit, when they have by their plots and devises gone ⟨p. 100⟩beyond what they should do, and wrapped and entangled themselves in a net of their own weaving (as we say) alter their judgement? They are then become sick of their own devices, this makes the change. For till then, the brain hath a kind of net to wrap our devices in. So many have nets in their brains, wherewith they entangle themselves and others with their idle devices: which when they have done, and so woven the web of their own misery; then they begin to say, as the Heathen saith, when he was deceived. O fool am I, I was never a wise man. Then they begin to say, I was a fool to trust such and such. I have tried such and such policies and they have deceived me, I will now alter my course. And surely, men of great parts are seldom converted, till God confound their plots, and lays flat all their false confidence. When Ashur disappoints them, then Ashur shall not save us, &c.
He never alters his confidence,1 till his trusts be taken away; when God overthrowes the mold of his devises, or brings them upon his owne head, setting him to reape the fruit of his owne waies; imbittering sinnefull courses to him, then hee returnes. Instruction without correction doth for the most part little good. When Ashur had dealt falsely with them, and Idolatry would doe them no good, then they begin to alter their judgement. What makes men after too much confidence in their wit, when they have by their plots and devises gone