A12190:469
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 is especially meant of and performed to the Church under the New Testament, especially next unto Christs time;1 when the Dew of grace fell in greatest abundance upon the Church. The Comfortable, Sanctifying, Fruitful Grace of God is compared to Dew in many respects.2
This is especially meant of and performed to the Church under the New Testament, especially next unto Christs time;1 when the Dew of grace fell in greatest aboundance upon the Church. The Comfortable, Sanctifying, Fruitfull Grace of God is compared to Dew in many respects.2
- 1Why the Grace of God is compared to Dew.
- 21. Because it comes freely from God.
First, The Dew doth come from above. God sends it, it drops from above and cannot be ⟨p. 208⟩commanded by the creature. So all other gifts and especially this perfect gift, the Grace of God, comes from above, from the Father of lights: there is no principle of grace naturally within a man. It is as childish to think that Grace comes from any principle within us, as to think that the dew which falls upon a stone is the sweat of the stone: as children think that the stone sweats, when it is the dew that's fallen upon it. Certainly our hearts in regard of themselves are barren and dry: wherefore Gods Grace, in regard of the Original, is compared to Dew, which should teach us to go to God, as the Church doth here, and pray him to deal graciously with us, to do good to us, for this cause laying open our souls unto him, to shed his Grace into them.