A12190:333
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.
Let us therefore be wise for afterwards, hear, read, lay up, and meditate for the time to come, for times will come (if we belong to God) that nothing will content or pacific the soul, but the infinite worth and merit of an infinite and free mercy apprehended in the face of Jesus Christ. When our sins are set in order before us, the sins of our youth, middle, and old age, our sins against conscience, against the Law and Gospel, against examples, vows, Promises, Resolutions, and admonitions of the Spirit and servants of God. When there shall be such a terrible accuser, and God shall perhaps let the wounds of conscience fly open and join against us; when wrath shall appear, be in some sort felt, and God presented to the soul,1 as a consuming fire, no comfort in heaven or earth appearing, hell beneath seeming ready to revenge against us the quarrel of Gods Covenant. O then for faith to look through all these clouds, to see mercy in wrath,2 love in correction, life in death; the sweetness of the promises, the virtue and merit of Christs sufferings, death, resurrection, and intercession at the right hand; The sting of death removed,3 sin pardoned and done away, and glory at hand; In some this promise made good, which leads unto all this ⟨p. 147⟩happiness (as we shall by and by hear) I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away. O this is a marvellous matter then to be persuaded of. Therefore let us make a right use of these words in due season. For they are,4 like apples of gold with pictures of silver, like balm to a green wound, like delivery in a shipwreck: but indeed all comparisons come far short of this illustration, as the terror of incensed wrath in the fearful apprehension of eternal unspeakable misery is beyond any other fear, apprehension, or joy.
Let us therefore bee wise for afterwards, heare, reade, lay up, and meditate for the time to come, for times will come (if wee belong to God) that nothing will content or pacific the soule, but the infinite worth and merit of an infinit and free mercy apprehended in the face of Jesus Christ. When our sins are set in order before us, the sinnes of our youth, middle, and old age, our sinnes against conscience, against the Law and Gospell, against examples, vowes, Promises, Resolutions, and admonitions of the Spirit and servants of God. When there shall bee such a terrible acouser, and God shall perhaps let the wounds of conscience fly open and joyne against us; when wrath shall appeare, bee in some sort felt, and God presented to the soule,