A12190:265
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.
The more or less we conceive of God as we should do, so the more or less we disclaim ⟨p. 105⟩confidence in the creature. Those who in their affections of joy, love, affiance and delight, are taken up too much with the creature (say what they will) profess to all the world by their practise, that they know not God. By the contrary, those who know and apprehend him in his greatness and goodness, as he should be apprehended, in that proportion they withdraw their affections from the creature and all things else. It is with the soul in this case, as with a balance,1 if the one scale be drawn down by a weight put in it, the other is lifted up. So where God weighs down in the soul, all other things are light, and where other things prevail, there God is set light. Ashur shall not save us; for he can do us no good: nor Horses, because they are vain helps. How attained they to this light esteem of Ashur and Horses? For in thee the Fatherless findeth mercy. That which is taken from the creature they find in God.2 And this is the Reason why the world so malign good and sound Christians, they think, when God gets, that they loose a feather (as we say) some of their strength: surely so it is; for when a Christian turns to God and becomes sound, he comes to have a mean esteem of that which formerly was great in his sight; his judgement is otherwise, as we see here, Ashur, Horses, Idols, and all they esteem nothing of them. Horses and the like are good, useful and necessary to serve Gods providence in the use of means, not to ⟨p. 106⟩trust in or make coordinate with God. In the world especially great persons would be gods in the hearts of people; therefore, when they see any make conscience of their ways; they think they loose them; because now they will do nothing but what may stand with the favour of God. Thus far from the Connection, Now to the words themselves.
The more or lesse we conceive of God as we should doe, so the more or lesse wee disclaime ⟨p. 105⟩confidence in the creature. Those who in their affections of joy, love, affiance and delight, are taken up too much with the creature (say what they will) professe to all the world by their practise, that they know not God. By the contrary, those who know and apprehend him in his greatnesse and goodnesse, as hee should bee apprehended, in that proportion they withdraw their affections from the creature and all things else. It is with the soule in this case, as with a ballance,