A12190:482
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.
Use. 3 This affords likewise an Use of Direction, Quest. How to come to have grace to sanctify and alter our natures? Answ. 1Do as the Church doth here, desire it of God. Lord teach me to see and know my sins: Lord Take away all iniquity, and receive me graciously: Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee. O love me freely, Turn away thy angry face from my sins, and be as the Dew unto my barren soul; my dead soul, O quicken it, make good thy promise, come swiftly, come speedily, come unresistably like rain upon the mowen grass; 2as showers to water with the dew of grace, and fructify my dry parched soul. Thus we should be earnest with God for grace for our selves, and for the Churches abroad, for our Church and State at home. Therefore let such an use be made of it generally, as God and not other foreign helps may especially be trusted in: for it is the only way to destruction, to let God ⟨p. 219⟩alone, and to trust to this body, and that body, for in this case (many times) God makes those we thus trust in our destruction, as the Assyrians and Babylonians were the ruin of the ten Tribes. But begin always first in Heaven, set that great wheel a working, and he will make all things comfortable, especially for our souls: then we shall not only find him to make good this promise, I will be as the Dew unto Israel: but the residue which follow after.
Vse. 3 This affoords likewise an Vse of Direction, Quest. How to come to have grace to sanctifie and alter our natures? Answ. 1Doe as the Church doth heere, desire it of God. Lord teach me to see and know my sinnes: Lord Take away all iniquity, and receive me gratiously: Heale my soule for I have sinned against thee. O love mee freely, Turne away thy angry face from my sinnes, and be as the Dew unto my barren soule; my dead soule, O quicken it, make good thy promise, come swiftly, come speedily, come unresistably like raine upon the mowen grasse; 2as showers to water with the dew of grace, and fructifie my drie parched soule. Thus we should be earnest with God for grace for our selves, and for the Churches abroad, for our Church and State at home. Therefore let such an use be made of it generally, as God and not other forraigne helps may especially bee trusted in: for it is the onely way to destruction, to let God