A12190:334
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.
But least this grace be abused by others (for we must not with-hold the children's bread, for fear others partake with them unto whom it belongs not) let them know this much, that those who turn this grace into wantonness, and will be evil, because God is thus gracious; that there is no word of comfort in the whole Scripture for them, who stand resolved to go on in their sins, presuming of mercy. See what God saith in this case.1 Least there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood: and it come to pass when he heareth the words of this curse that he bless himself in his heart: saying I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst; The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy, shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord ⟨p. 148⟩shall blot out his name from under Heaven. 2God will wound the hairy scalp of such an one, who goes on in his wickedness, and means to be so. And in the New Testament, those who thus make a progress in sin, what do they? They are said to treasure up unto themselves wrath, 3against the day of wrath: and revelation of the righteous judgement of God. Therefore Gods word speaks no comfort to those, who purpose to live in any sin. All the comfort can be spoken to such is, That yet they are not in hell, that yet they have time to return to this great Physician of the soul. But take such an one in his present condition, he can have no comfort in this estate, wherein there is but a step between him and hell; So as when the rotten thread of this uncertain life shall fail, or is cut asunder, down they fall. We have no comfort here for them, till they return; This precious balm belongs to the wounded conscience. Briefly for use then.
But least this grace be abused by others (for wee must not with-hold the childrens bread, for feare others partake with them unto whom it belongs not) let them know this much, that those who turne this grace into wantonnesse, and will be evill, because God is thus gracious; that there is no word of comfort in the whole Scripture for them, who stand resolved to goe on in their sinnes, presuming of mercy. See what God saith in this case.