A12190:532
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.
THE EIGHTH SERMON.
HOS. 14.6, 7. His branches shall spread, his beauty shall be as the Olive tree and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the Corn, and grow as the Vine, the sent thereof shall be as the Vine of Lebanon.
HOS. 14.6, 7. His branches shall spread, his beauty shall be as the Olive tree and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall returne; they shall revive as the Corne, and grow as the Vine, the sent thereof shall be as the Ʋine of Lebanon.
WE have heard at large heretofore what petitions God put into the heart and mouth of his Church: as also what gracious answer God gives his own Petitions: he cannot deny the prayers made by his own ⟨image 148⟩[…] ⟨p. 247⟩[…] ⟨p. 248⟩Spirit. And as he is goodness it self, so he shows it in this, that he goes beyond all that we can desire, think or speak: his answer is more transcendent, as the Apostle speaks: he does exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, 1&c. For whereas they in particular and in brief say, Do good to us, and receive us graciously: He tells them, He will be as the Dew unto them: and from thence, being Dew to them, is then spreading and growing as a Lillie, and casting of their roots as Lebanon: and their Branches shall spread, &c. and all this to encourage us to come to so powerful and large-hearted a God; who, as he is able to do more then we desire of him: so he will also do it. He will be as the Dew unto us. This is the general of all, for all other fruitfulness comes from this: 1. God will be as the Dew, and then 2. They shall grow as the Lillie, and cast their Roots as the Cedars in Lebanon, they shall not only grow upward but downward, for the Lillie quickly spreads it self forth: but they shall be like the trees of Lebanon for steadfastness; and then spread in breadth, grow in all dimensions. Which is fulfilled of the Church in general, and of every particular Christian, when once he is in Christ, using sanctified means: they grow then in the root, and upright, and in every dimension: His Branches shall spread, and then His beauty shall be as the Olive Tree.