A12190:360
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.
Answ. 1Diseases are suffered to put us in mind of infirmities in the root, which we knew not before; for if these should not sometimes break forth into a disease, we would think our nature were pure: therefore God suffers them to break ⟨p. 162⟩forth into diseases.2 Who would have thought that Moses had been passionate? certainly himself did not know himself at the waters of strife: that the seeds of anger should be in the meekest man in the world? who would have thought that David whose heart smote him for cutting off the lap of Sauls garment,3 that so mild a man should have cruelty in him? and yet after that, he committed murder. Who would have thought that Peter, 4who made such protestations of love to Christ, that though all men forsook him, yet he would not, yet after that should deny his Master, and forswear him? all which was to show us, that it is useful for us sometimes to have our corruptions break out, to put us in mind what inward weaknesses we have unknown and unsearched in us, and that we may know the depth of our corruption. Gods children are gainers by all their infirmities and weaknesses,5 whereby they learn to stand stronger. Here is a main difference betwixt the slips of Gods children, and the ordinary evil courses of others: they grow worse and worse, the oftener they fall into sin, the more they are settled upon their dregs. But Gods child hath the remainders of corruption in him from whence he hath infirmities, and whence he breaks into diseases: but notwithstanding, corruption is a looser hereby; for the oftener he falls into sin, it is the weaker and weaker: for the more he sees the root of it, the more he hates it, resolves and strives against it; till it be consummated ⟨p. 163⟩by Repentance and Sanctifying grace. Let no man therefore be too much cast down for infirmities, though ofttimes they break out,