A12190:344
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.
1Sin is like Jonah, whilst he was in the ship there was nothing but tempest:2 like Achan in the Army, whilst he was not found out Gods judgement followed the camp. Sin is that which troubleth all, therefore it must be taken away first, and therewith all evil is taken away: therefore, the first mercy is a forgiving, pardoning and quieting mercy. When the blood of Jesus Christ by the hand of faith is sprinkled upon the soul, God creating a hand of faith to sprinkle and shed it upon the soul; Christ loved me, and gave himself for me, then the soul saith, though my sins be great, yet the satisfaction of Christ is greater: God hath loved me, and gave his own Son for me, and I apply this to my self, as it is offered to me, and take the offer, this pacifieth the soul, as it is written, The Blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God; 3is that which purgeth our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. To a Repentant sinner, this Blood of sprinkling speaks better things then the blood of Abel: 4not as his blood cried for vengeance: ⟨p. 155⟩but mercy, mercy. When the soul is thus pacified, there is the foundation of all other mercy whatsoever. The Order is this, when God is reconciled all is reconciled, when God is at peace with us in the Forgiveness of sins, then all is peaceable at home and abroad, conscience is in peace within, and all the creatures at peace without, all which with all that befalls us, have a command to do us no hurt: as David gave charge to the people of Absalom. When God is reconciled, and at peace, all things are at peace with us; for is not he Lord of Hosts, who hath the command of all the creatures? therefore this grace of forgiveness is the chief grace.
1Sinne is like Ionas, whilst he was in the ship there was nothing but tempest:2