A12190:308
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.
Answ. To show, that he would answer them fully, that is, that he would heal all sins whatsoever: not only of Ignorance, and of Infirmity; but also sins willingly committed, their rebellions and backslidings. For indeed they were backsliding; from the time of Jeroboam, that made the rent, the ten tribes grew worse and worse continually, so that they had been utterly extinguished; but that God, was wondrous gracious to send them Prophets, to preserve many that they should not bow the knee to Baal; being merciful to them, to bear with their backsliding so long: for besides their calves, they had false gods, they did not only worship the true God in a false manner by the calves, but they had Baals also. So that we see God when he will comfort, will comfort to purpose, and take away all objections that the soul can make; a guilty soul being full of ⟨p. 128⟩[…] ⟨p. 129⟩[…] ⟨p. 130⟩objections; Oh my sins are many, great, rebellions, and Apostasies: But, be they what they will, Gods mercy in Christ is greater and more. I will heal their backsliding, or their rebellion, God is above conscience, let Satan terrify the conscience as he will, and let conscience speak the worst it can against it self, yet God is greater. Therefore let the sin be what it will, God will pardon all manner of sins; as they pray to pardon all, so he will take away all iniquity, heal their backsliding, but to come nearer the words.
Answ. To shew, that he would answer them fully, that is, that he would heale all sinnes whatsoever: not onely of Ignorance, and of Infirmity; but also sinnes willingly committed, their rebellions and backeslidings. For indeed they were backesliding; from the time of Ieroboam, that made the rent, the ten tribes grew worse and worse continually, so that they had beene utterly extinguished; but that God, was wondrous gratious to send them Prophets, to preserve many that they should not bow the knee to Baall; being mercifull to them, to beare with their backesliding so long: for besides their calves, they had false gods, they did not onely worship the true God in a false manner by the calves, but they had Baals also. So that we see God when he will comfort, will comfort to purpose, and take away all objections that the soule can make; a guilty soule being full of