A12190:328
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.
For (unless God be the more merciful) these things follow, where there is sin, and breaking of his law, there is a state binding over ⟨p. 141⟩to damnation and guilt: when there is a sinful disposition raging, and bringing us from one degree of sin to another, then there is Gods judgement and wrath revealed from Heaven against this. Now when God heals, he heals perfectly, but in some regards slowly, as we shall see hereafter. In regard of Forgiveness of sins, he healeth perfectly; but by little and little, in regard of the other of Sanctification, he stops up the issues of our corruption by little and little. For other things, and judgements in this world, he removes the malice, and takes away the sting of them, which is the venom; as he saith afterwards, For mine Anger is turned away, which being removed and turned from things, then they are no more judgements. What cared Paul for imprisonment,1 when he knew Gods wrath accompanied not the stocks? let wrath be taken from the suffering; that the soul be sound, then it is no matter what condition a man be in, he carries Heaven and Paradise with him. Therefore, so far God removes those diseases and sicknesses of condition, as they carry venom in them: so changing the condition, that whatsoever we suffer, it hath the nature of an exercise, medicine, or correction only. But that which envenoms all, and makes the least cross a curse,2 and sinks deep, is the anger of God joined with things. The least cross when it carrieth with it the anger and vengeance of God, and reports that to the soul; I have offended God, and it is just ⟨p. 142⟩with him thus to inflict wrath upon me: this is terrible, and it puts a sting to the cross. Now God here promiseth to remove that, I will heal their backsliding; This principally in the first place is meant of healing in regard of Justification; taking away that guilt from the soul, which enthrals it, and binds it over to condemnation and judgement. God will set the soul at a spiritual liberty and so heal it. Thus you see the point clear, That God is the great Physician of the soul.
For (unlesse God bee the more mercifull) these things follow, where there is sinne, and breaking of his law, there is a state binding over