A12190:526
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.
Answ. To this I answer, Christians may be deceived, for they do grow ofttimes in firmness, strength and stability, though they do not spread out; they may grow in refinedness, that that which comes from them may be more pure, and less mixed with natural corruption, Pride, Self-love and the like. This is a temptation that old men are subject too especially in whom the heat of nature decays, who think withal that grace decays. But it is not so, for ofttimes when grace is carried with the heat of nature, it makes a greater show being helped by nature. The demonstration, but not the truth of grace is thus helped. Therefore this clause of the Promise is made good in old Christians, they are every day more and more rooted, firm, stable and judicious, and more able in those graces which belong to their place and condition. Therefore, they should not be discouraged, though they be not carried with the stream and tide of nature, helped with that vigour that sometime was in them. They grow in judiciousness, mortifiednesse, in heavenly-mindedness, and in ability to give good counsel to others. This is well, for we grow not in grace one way, but divers, ways; not only when we grow in outward demonstration, and in many fruits and actions; but when we grow in refinedness and judiciousness (as was said) then we are said to grow likewise.
Answ. To this I answer, Christians may be deceived, for they doe grow ofttimes in firmenesse, strength and stability, though they doe not spread out; they may grow in refinednesse, that that which comes from them may bee more pure, and lesse mixed with naturall corruption, Pride, Selfe-love and the like. This is a temptation that old men are subject too especially in whom the heate of nature decayes, who thinke withall that grace decayes. But it is not so, for ofttimes when grace is carried with the heate of nature, it makes a greater shew being helpt by nature. The demonstration, but not the truth of grace is thus helpt. Therfore this clause of the Promise is made good in old Christians, they are every day more and more rooted, firme, stable and judicious, and more able in those graces which belong to their place and condition. Therefore, they should not be discouraged, though they be not carried with the streame and tide of nature, help'd with that vigour that sometime was in them. They grow in judiciousnesse, mortifiednesse, in heavenly-mindednesse, and in ability to give good counsell to others. This is well, for we grow not in grace one way, but divers, waies; not onely when wee grow in outward demonstration, and in many fruits and actions; but when wee grow in refinednesse and judiciousnesse (as was said) then wee are said to grow likewise.