A12190:378
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.
That which first of all we observe hence is this much. Observ. That God loves his people freely. So Rom. 5.8, 9. Saith the Apostle. God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dyed for us: much more being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. The like we have in Ezekiel, saith God,1 Therefore, say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God, I do not this for your sakes O house of Israel, but for mine holy Names sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen whether ye went. Adam when he had sinned that main great sin, what did he? fly from God, run away,2 and when God called to him and debated the matter with him, he accused God, and excused himself. Yet for all this God pitied him, and clothed him, and made him that promise of the blessed seed. What desert was there here in Adam? nay, rather the quite contrary: yet God loved him freely. The same may be said of Saint Paul for the ⟨p. 174⟩time past a persecutor, what deserving was therein him? none at all, yet he found Gods free love in his conversion:3 for saith God to Ananias; He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles. Here was no deserving in Saint Paul, 4but Gods free election which in time took place, and so we may say of the Prodigal having spent all,5 his Father pardoned all and loved him freely.
That which first of al we observe hence is this much. Observ. That God loves his people freely. So Rom. 5.8, 9. Saith the Apostle. God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ dyed for us: much more being justified by his blood, wee shall bee saved from wrath through him. The like wee have in Ezekiell, saith God,