A12190:389
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. 2 Secondly, If God did then first begin to love us, when he manifested his love unto us, then there should be a change in God; because he should love them now, that he did not formerly love, As we see, those who loved Paul after his Conversion, loved him not before, there was then a change in the Church: in which case, if God should so love, he should be changeable, and so be like unto man.
Reason. 2 Secondly, Jf God did then first begin to love us, when he manifested his love unto us, then there should be a change in God; because hee should love them now, that hee did not formerly love, As wee see, those who loved Paul after his Conversion, loved him not before, there was then a change in the Church: in which case, if God should so love, hee should bee changeable, and so be like unto man.
Reason. 3 And then again Christs Prayer. John. 17. makes it clear, that the love of God beginneth not with the manifestation thereof: for Christ there, knowing all the Fathers secrets (as coming out of the bosom of the Father) intimates the contrary: where he makes one end of his prayer for them to be,1 That the world may know, that thou hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Now how he loved Christ is also showed a little after; For thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world: 2Therefore the Saints and Children of God are loved with an everlasting ⟨p. 179⟩former love, not beginning at that instant discovery thereof.
Reason. 3 And then againe Christs Prayer. Iohn. 17. makes it cleere, that the love of God beginneth not with the manifestation thereof: for Christ there, knowing all the Fathers secrets (as comming out of the bosome of the Father) intimates the contrary: where he makes one end of his prayer for them to be,