A12190:396
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.
This should teach us in the first place to be humbled, in that we are so miserable naughty servants, doing so little work, nay nothing as we should, yet should have so good wages:1 but God loves us freely, &c. It should rather humble us the more, then puff us up in pride, in regard that there was nothing in us which might deserve any thing at Gods hand.
This should teach us in the first place to bee humbled, in that we are so miserable naughty servants, doing so little worke, nay nothing as we should, yet should have so good wages:1 but God loves us freely, &c. It should rather humble us the more, then puffe us up in pride, in regard that there was nothing in us which might deserve any thing at Gods hand.
Use. 2 And hence also it followeth infallibly;1 that if he loved us from everlasting with a free love, in a sort, as he loved Christ, that therefore the effects of his love towards us shall never fail; as the Apostle showeth,2 The gifts and calling of God, are without Repentance. Faith and Repentance being fruits of his love wrought in us, shall hold out: therefore the weakness of these graces as they shall not hinder our salvation; no more should they discourage us, or hinder the comfort of our profession. Because that Faith and Repentance which we have, is not any work of ours, but the work of Gods free love in us: therefore they shall be continued, and accepted. For our Perseverance doth not stand in this, that we have strength in our selves to continue faithful to God, but because he out of his free love, continueth faithful to us; and will never fail, nor forsake them whom he hath once taken into his everlasting favour, on whom he hath set his everlasting free love, as the Apostle speaks of Christ. Who also shall confirm you unto the end,