A12190:551
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.
Both to be fruitful in his place as a Christian, and in his particular calling. To be fruitful as a Magistrate, as a Minister, as a governor of a family, as a neighbour, as a friend, to be fruitful in all. Because in Religion every near relation is as it were a joining together of the body of Christ one to another, by which some good is derived from one to another. God uses these relations as conduits to convey graces. A good Christian, the meanest of them is a good neighbour, and doth a great deal of good, being fruitful as a neighbour, fruitful as a friend, much more as a husband, as a Magistrate, as a Minister. These relations are a knitting to Christ, by which fatness and sap is derived from the head for the good of the whole body. Therefore a Christian in all relations is fruitful. When he comes to be a Christian,1 he considers like good Mordecai what good he may do: as he told Esther, what if thou be called to the kingdom for this purpose? So a Christian will reason with himself, what if I be called to be a Magistrate or a Minister for this purpose? what if I be called to be a friend for such or such a purpose: to do this or this good? indeed such are gracious Queries made to a mans soul, to enquire for what purpose hath God raised me? to do this or that. To ⟨p. 254⟩be idle, or barren, or noisome. O no, to be a plant of Gods planting: my glory shall be my fruitfulness in my place.
Both to be fruitfull in his place as a Christian, and in his particular calling. To be fruitfull as a Magistrate, as a Minister, as a governour of a family, as a neighbour, as a friend, to be fruitfull in all. Because in Religion every neere relation is as it were a joyning together of the body of Christ one to another, by which some good is derived from one to another. God uses these relations as conduits to convey graces. A good Christian, the meanest of them is a good neighbour, and doth a great deale of good, being fruitfull as a neighbour, fruitfull as a friend, much more as a husband, as a Magistrate, as a Minister. These relations are a knitting to Christ, by which fatnesse and sap is derived from the head for the good of the whole bodie. Therefore a Christian in all relations is fruitfull. When he comes to be a Christian,1