A12190:259
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.
We must not only take it off where it should not be placed, but set it where it should be. Cease from evil, 1and learn to do well. Trust not in the creature. Cease from man (as the Prophet saith) whose breath is in his Nostrils; 2Commit thy ways to God, trust in him. The Heathen by the light of nature knew this,3 that for the Negative, there is no trusting in the creature, which is a vain thing, they could speak wonderful wittily and to purpose of these things, especially the Stoics. They could see the vanity of the creature: but for the Positive part, where to place their confidence, that they were ignorant in. And so, for the other part here; Neither will we say any more to the works of our hands ye are our gods. Idolaters can see the vanity of false gods well enough. In Italy you have thousands of the wittier and learneder sort who see the folly and madness of their Religion. And among our selves, how many witty men can disclaim against Popery, who yet in their lives and conversations are not the better for it: because they think it enough to see the error that misleads ⟨p. 103⟩them, though they never pitch their confidence as they should do. It is not enough therefore to rest in the Negative part. A Negative Christian is no Christian, not to be an Idolater, not to be a Papist, no there must be somewhat else,4 we must bring forth good fruit, or else we are for the fire, and are near to cursing and burning.5 This is spoken the rather, because many think themselves well, when they can disclaim against the errors of Popery, and that they are good Christians, because they can argue well. O, such make Religion nothing but a matter of opinion, of canvasing an argument, &c. But, it is another manner of matter:6 A divine Power exercised upon the soul, whereby it is transformed into the obedience of divine truth, and moulded into it. So that there must be a Positive, as well as a Negative Religion, a cleaving to God, as well as a forsaking of Idols.