A12190:477
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.
1But mark the order wherein he makes this promise; First, he gives grace to pray to him. Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, do good to us. Then he gives a spirit of reformation, promising amendment, whereupon this followeth, that he will forgive their sins, love them freely, &c. And be, as the dew unto Israel. He will be as the dew unto Israel, but he will give them grace first to be humbled, confess sin, and pray to God for grace and forgiveness. There is an order of working in the soul: God giveth Justification before Sanctification, and before he freeth from the guilt of sin, he gives grace to confess sin. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, 2and to cleanse us from them, saith S. John. Where these go before, grace will follow: and where they do not, there will be no Sanctification. Therefore let us consider the order, for wheresoever God takes away iniquity and heals their souls in regard of the guilt of their sins: unto those he will be as dew. Therefore if we have still barren souls, without desires or strength to goodness; certainly our sins are still upon the file, for Justification is never without holiness of life: Whosoever is in Christ, 3he is a new creature. When this is done, God will be as the dew: because he doth pardon our sins for this cause, that he may thereby fit us to be entertained in the covenant, and are ⟨p. 215⟩we fit to be in covenant with him until our natures be altered? Therefore whensoever he enters into covenant with any, he changeth their natures, that they may be friends, and have communion with him. Then the same soul which crieth take away all iniquity: desireth also the dew of grace to make it better; this order is not only necessary on Gods part, but in regard of the soul also. For, was there ever any soul from the beginning of the world that truly desired forgiveness of sins, which did not also therewith desire grace? such a soul were but an hypocritical soul. For if it be rightly touched with sorrow, it desires as well ability to subdue sin, as forgiveness of sin: Holiness and Righteousness with forgiveness.4