A12190:337
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.
1Therefore, let us at such times as God awakens conscience, be so far from thinking that God is unwilling to cure and help us, as to think that hereby we shall Honour God more by believing, then we dishonoured him by our sin. For the faith of an humble contrite sinner it glorifies God more then our better obedience in other things doth: because it gives him the glory of that wherein he delights; and will ⟨p. 151⟩be most glorified: the glory of his mercy and truth, of his rich abundant mercy that hath no bounds. There is no comparison between the mercy of God in the Covenant of grace, and that to Adam in the state of nature: for in the first he did good to a good man, first he made him good, and then did him good: but when man did degenerate, and was fallen into such a cursed estate as we are, for God then to be good to a sinner, and freely to do good, here is goodness indeed, triumphant goodness. Cain was a cursed person, who said,2 my punishment is greater then can be borne, we know who spake it; no, God is a Physician for all diseases, if they be Crimson sins, he can make them white as wool.3
1Therefore, let us at such times as God awakens conscience, be so farre from thinking that God is unwilling to cure and helpe us, as to thinke that hereby we shall Honour God more by beleeving, then we dishonoured him by our sinne. For the faith of an humble contrite sinner it glorifies God more then our better obedience in other things doth: because it gives him the glory of that wherein he delights; and will ⟨p. 151⟩be most glorified: the glory of his mercy and truth, of his rich abundant mercy that hath no bounds. There is no comparison betweene the mercy of God in the Covenant of grace, and that to Adam in the state of nature: for in the first he did good to a good man, first hee made him good, and then did him good: but when man did degenerate, and was fallen into such a cursed estate as we are, for God then to be good to a sinner, and freely to doe good, heere is goodnesse indeed, triumphant goodnesse. Cain was a cursed person, who said,