A12190:428
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.
1. When he afflicts them, it is to correct them for their sins: after which when they have pulled out the sting of sin by confession and humiliation, if afflictions continue, his anger doth not continue.
1. When he afflicts them, it is to correct them for their sinnes: after which when they have puld out the sting of sinne by confession and humiliation, if afflictions continue, his anger doth not continue.
2. Affliction sometimes is for an exercise of Patience and Faith, and trial of their graces; and for the exemplary manifestation to others of Gods goodness to them.
2. Affliction sometimes is for an exercise of Patience and Faith, and tryall of their graces; and for the exemplarie manifestation to others of Gods goodnesse to them.
But even then they may know that things come not in anger unto them, by this,1 that after Repentance God speaks peace unto their conscience; so that, though the grievance continue, it is with much joy in the Holy Ghost, and peace of conscience, in which case, the soul knows that it is for other ends that God continues it. Therefore the first thing in any affliction is to remove away the core and sting thereof by humbling our selves, as the Church here doth. After which our consciences will be at peace for other things God hath many ends in correcting us: he will humble us, improve our afflictions to the good of others; and will gain himself honour by our afflictions, sufferings,2 and crosses. When God hath shed abroad his love in our hearts by his Spirit, then we can rejoice in tribulation, and rejoice under hope, though the affliction continue, because the sting is gone, anger is removed.