A12190:512
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.
He shall cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
Hee shall cast forth his rootes as Lebanon.
We see then that the state of Gods children is ⟨p. 232⟩a firm and a stable condition,1 whence we may observe the difference betwixt Gods people and others. Gods people are rooted and spread their root. But the other have rottenness in their root, being cursed without any foundation. For take a man who is not a good Christian, where is his foundation? only in the things of this world. Now all here is vanity, and we our selves by trusting vanity become vain;2 Every man in his best estate is altogether vanity; vanity in himself, and trusts in vanity. What stableness can there be in vanity? Can a man stare non stante? stand in a thing that stands not in it self? Will a picture continue that is drawn upon the Ice? will it not fail and melt away when the Ice upon which it is drawn thaws? So all these who have not the dew of Gods grace, they are as a picture upon the water, have no foundation, and stand upon that which cannot stand it self. Therefore the Scripture compareth them to the worst of grass, which hath no good root,3 grass upon the house top, which hath no blessing of those that come by, but there stands perking up above others. So it is with men that have no grace, they can perk up above others: but as they have no stable root, nor the blessing of Gods people, stability, with the Spirit of God inwardly, and the prayers of Gods people to water and bless them: so they perish and wither quickly. Nay whole nations (if wicked) have no foundation. What is become of the great Monarchies of the world? ⟨p. 233⟩