A12190:341
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.
Reason. Because it takes away the interposing cloud: God is gracious in himself, pardon of sin removes the cloud betwixt Gods gracious face and the soul. Naturally God is a spring of mercy, but our sins stop the spring, but when sin is pardoned, the stop is taken away, and the spring runs amain. God is not merciful, as a flint yields fire by force, but as a spring whence water naturally issues.
Reason. Because it takes away the interposing cloud: God is gratious in himselfe, pardon of sinne remooves the cloud betwixt Gods gratious face and the soule. Naturally God is a spring of mercy, but our sinnes stop the spring, but when sinne is pardoned, the stop is taken away, and the spring runs amaine. God is not mercifull, as a flint yeelds fire by force, but as a spring whence water naturally issues.
Quest. Seeing forgiveness of sins unstops this spring, why do we not feel this mercy?
Quest. Seeing forgivenesse of sinnes unstops this spring, why doe we not feele this mercy?
Answ. Surely, 1because some sin or other is upon the file uncancelled, perhaps unconfessed, or because we are stuffed with Pride that we believe not, or are so troubled, or trouble our selves, that we apprehend not, or believe not the pardon of sins confessed and hated. But sure it is, Forgiveness of sins, unstops the spring of mercy, and unveils Gods gracious face in Jesus Christ unto us. Sin being not pardoned, this stops, as the Prophet speaks, our iniquity is that which keeps good things from us. Therefore the chief mercy is that which removes, that which unstops the current of all mercy: I will heal their backsliding, &c. Look as a condemned Prisoner in the Tower, let him have all contentment, as long as he is in the displeasure of the Prince, stands condemned, and the sentence unreversed, what true contentment can