A12190:473
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.
Again Grace is compared to Dew, In regard of the Operations of Dew. For what effects hath Dew upon the earth? first it cools the air when it falls, and then with coolness it hath a fructifying virtue: for falling especially on tender herbs and plants, it soaks into the root of them, and makes them fruitful. So it is with the Grace of Gods Spirit, it cools the soul scorched with the sense of Gods Anger, as indeed all our souls will be (when we have to ⟨p. 211⟩deal with God who is a consuming fire) till we take that course to look upon him in Christ for the pardon of sin:1 after which his Grace and the sense of it cooleth, assuageth, and speaks peace to an uncomfortable, disconsolate heart. This voice, Son be of good comfort, 2thy sins are forgiven thee, O! this hath a cooling in it: and this also, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise, O! how it cooled and cheered the good thief, and comforted him. And so when God says unto the soul, I am thy Salvation, O! when the soul feels this, how is it cooled and refreshed?
Againe Grace is compared to Dew, In regard of the Operations of Dew. For what effects hath Dew upon the earth? first it cooles the ayre when it fals, and then with coolenesse it hath a fructifying vertue: for falling especially on tender hearbs and plants, it soakes into the roote of them, and makes them fruitfull. So it is with the Grace of Gods Spirit, it cooles the soule scorched with the sense of Gods Anger, as indeed all our soules will be (when we have to ⟨p. 211⟩deale with God who is a consuming fire) till we take that course to looke upon him in Christ for the pardon of sinne:1 after which his Grace and the sense of it cooleth, asswageth, and speakes peace to an uncomfortable, disconsolate heart. This voice, Sonne be of good comfort, 2thy sins are forgiven thee, O! this hath a cooling in it: and this also, This day shalt thou be with me in Parradice, O! how it cooled and chered the good theefe, and comforted him. And so when God sayes unto the soule, I am thy Salvation, O! when the soule feeles this, how is it cooled and refreshed?