A12190:281
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 Church in this world is as it were a fatherless person, a Pupil, an Orphan, a Sheep in the midst of wolves, as Daniel in the lions den, as a ship tossed in the waves, as a lily among thorns, it is environed with enemies, and of it self, (like the poor sheep) is shiftless. What is the Church but a company of weak persons? not so witty for the world as worldly wise men are, nor so strong in the arm of flesh, nor so defenced? but a company of persons who have a hidden dependence upon God, we know not how, and hang as it were by a thread: as the Church in this land, and abroad in other places. The true Church is maintained we know not how: God keeps up Religion, the Church and all, because ⟨p. 113⟩he is merciful to the Fatherless, who have no shifting wits as the worldly Achitophels have. God is wise for them that are not wise for themselves, and powerful for them, that have little strength of their own. Therefore, let us not be discouraged though we be weak creatures, a little flock, like a company of sheep, yet notwithstanding we have a strong Shepherd.1 The Church is like a vine, a poor despicable withered, crooked, weak plant, which winds about, and must be supported or else it sinks to the ground, yet it is a fruitful plant. So the the Church of God, a number of weak Christians professing Religion, they want many helps, yet God supports them, and hath ordained this and that haven for them: as this Magistrate, and that Person, God hath one support or other for them. While they are fruitful and true Vines, God will have a care of them,2 though they be never so weak and despised in the eye of the world.
The Church in this world is as it were a fatherlesse person, a Pupill, an Orphan, a Sheepe in the midst of wolves, as Daniell in the lyons den, as a ship tossed in the waves, as a lillie among thornes, it is invironed with enemies, and of it selfe, (like the poore sheepe) is shiftlesse. What is the Church but a company of weake persons? not so witty for the world as worldly wise men are, nor so strong in the arme of flesh, nor so defenced? but a company of persons who have a hidden dependance upon God, we know not how, and hang as it were by a threed: as the Church in this land, and abroad in other places. The true Church is maintained we know not how: God keepes up Religion, the Church and all, because