A12190:528
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.
Let us labour therefore who have so long enjoyed such store of blessed means, under the ⟨p. 243⟩dew of Gods grace and the influence of his Spirit, in the Paradise of God, his House and Church, having so long lived in this Eden, let us labour now to spread, and grow in fruitfulness, that so we may be filled with the fullness of God. It is the chief thing of all to be rooted and grow in grace. You see, God when he would single out a blessing, he tells them not, that they shall grow rich, that they shall spread out and grow rich in the world. No, but you whom I love freely, take this as a fruit of it, You shall grow as the Lillie, you shall grow fruitful as the Olive, &c. This is the comfort of a Christian, though he grows downward oft in the world, and things of this natural life, yet he grows upward in another condition, as Lilies and Cedars, they grow downwards one way, but they grow upwards another. Perhaps they may decay in their state and favour, and in their practise and cunning in this life: but a Christian, if he be in the use of right means, and put in suite the gracious Promises, he is sure still to grow in Grace, in Faith and Love, and in the inner man.
Let us labour therefore who have so long enjoyed such store of blessed meanes, under the ⟨p. 243⟩dew of Gods grace and the influence of his Spirit, in the Paradice of God, his House and Church, having so long lived in this Eden, let us labour now to spread, and grow in fruitfullnesse, that so we may be filled with the fullnesse of God. It is the chiefe thing of all to be rooted and grow in grace. You see, God when he would single out a blessing, he tells them not, that they shall grow rich, that they shall spread out and grow rich in the world. No, but you whom I love freely, take this as a fruit of it, You shall grow as the Lillie, you shall grow fruitfull as the Olive, &c. This is the comfort of a Christian, though he growes downeward oft in the world, and things of this naturall life, yet hee growes upward in another condition, as Lillies and Cedars, they grow downewards one way, but they grow upwards another. Perhaps they may decay in their state and favour, and in their practise and cunning in this life: but a Christian, if he be in the use of right meanes, and put in suite the gratious Promises, he is sure still to grow in Grace, in Faith and Love, and in the inner man.