A12190:527
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.
Yet notwithstanding, it should be the endeavour ⟨p. 240⟩[…] ⟨p. 241⟩[…] ⟨p. 242⟩of all to grow what they can in grace, when, if they grow not so fast as others, let them know that there are several ages in Christ. A young Christian cannot be so planted and so deeply rooted as another that is of a greater standing. This should not discourage any, seeing there are babes in Christ, as well as strong men. Therefore where there is truth of heart, with endeavour to grow better and better, and to use all means, let no man be discouraged. Remember alway this for a truth, that we may grow, and we ought to grow, and the children of God ordinarily have grown more and more, both in fruitfulness and steadfastness every way, but not with a like growth in measure, or time. Therefore labour to make use of these Promises, and not to favour our selves in an ungrowing estate, for grace is of a growing nature. If it grow not in fruitfulness, yet it grows in the Root; as a plant sometimes grows in fruitfulness, sometimes in the Root. There is more virtue in Winter-time in the Root, then in the fruit which is gone. So a Christian groweth one way if not another: though not in outward demonstration, yet in Humiliation. God sometimes sees it necessary, that our branches should not spread for a while; but that we should grow in Humility, by some faults and sins we fall and slip into, that we may see our own weakness, and look up.
Yet notwithstanding, it should be the indeavour ⟨p. 240⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 241⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 242⟩of all to grow what they can in grace, when, if they grow not so fast as others, let them know that there are severall ages in Christ. A young Christian cannot be so planted and so deepely rooted as another that is of a greater standing. This should not discourage any, seeing there are babes in Christ, as well as strong men. Therefore where there is truth of heart, with indeavour to grow better and better, and to use all meanes, let no man be discouraged. Remember alway this for a truth, that we may grow, and we ought to grow, and the children of God ordinarily have growne more and more, both in fruitfullnesse and stedfastnesse every way, but not with a like growth in measure, or time. Therefore labour to make use of these Promises, and not to favour our selves in an ungrowing estate, for grace is of a growing nature. If it grow not in fruitfullnesse, yet it growes in the Roote; as a plant sometimes growes in fruitfullnesse, sometimes in the Roote. There is more vertue in Winter-time in the Roote, then in the fruit which is gone. So a Christian groweth one way if not another: though not in outward demonstration, yet in Humiliation. God sometimes sees it necessary, that our branches should not spread for a while; but that we should grow in Humility, by some faults and sinnes we fall and slip into, that wee may see our own weaknesse, and looke up.