A12190:376
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. Ask thy self, doth not a father and a mother love their child freely? what doth the child deserve of the father and mother a great while? Nothing, but the mother hath many a weary night, and foul hand with it. Hath God planted an affection in us to love our ⟨p. 173⟩children freely, and shall not God much more who gives this love and plants it in us, be admitted to love freely. But indeed there is absurdity and infidelity in distrust. For it is against reason to deny the mighty God that which we have in our selves. If he did not love freely, how could he love at all? what could he fore-see in us to love us for before hand? the very manhood of Christ deserved not the grace of union, it was freely given.
Answ. Aske thy selfe, doth not a father and a mother love their child freely? what doth the child deserve of the father and mother a great while? Nothing, but the mother hath many a weary night, and foule hand with it. Hath God planted an affection in us to love our ⟨p. 173⟩children freely, and shall not God much more who gives this love and plants it in us, bee admitted to love freely. But indeed there is absurdity and infidelity in distrust. For it is against reason to deny the mighty God that which wee have in our selves. If hee did not love freely, how could hee love at all? what could hee fore-see in us to love us for before hand? the very manhood of Christ deserved not the grace of union, it was freely given.
I will love them freely.