A12190:552
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.
Therefore let us every one consider with our selves, wherefore God hath set us in the Church in our particular standings. Wherein let us remember this, that howsoever God may endure barrenness out of the Church in want of means; yet he will never endure it under means. It is better for a bramble to be in the Wilderness then in an Orchard; for a weed to be abroad, then in a garden where it is sure to be weeded out, as the other to be cut down. If a man will be unprofitable, let him be unprofitable out of the Church: but to be so where he hath the dew of grace falling on him, in the means of salvation, where are all Gods sweet favours; to be a bramble in the Orchard, to be a weed in the Garden, to be noisome in a place where we should be fruitful, will God the great Husbandman endure this? He will not long put it up; but that he exerciseth his children with such noisome trees to try them, as he hath some service for these thorns to do, to scratch them: so were it not for such like services for a time, he would weed them out and burn them, for whatsoever is not for fruit is for the fire:1 Yea, every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be hewen down and cast into the fire.
Therefore let us every one consider with our selves, wherfore God hath set us in the Church in our particular standings. Wherein let us remember this, that howsoever God may endure barrennesse out of the Church in want of meanes; yet hee will never indure it under meanes. It is better for a bramble to bee in the Wildernesse then in an Orchard; for a weed to bee abroad, then in a garden where it is sure to be weeded out, as the other to bee cut downe. If a man will be unprofitable, let him bee unprofitable out of the Church: but to bee so where hee hath the dew of grace falling on him, in the meanes of salvation, where are all Gods sweet favours; to bee a bramble in the Orchard, to bee a weed in the Garden, to be noysome in a place where wee should bee fruitfull, will God the great Husbandman indure this? He will not long put it up; but that hee exerciseth his children with such noysome trees to trie them, as hee hath some service for these thornes to doe, to scratch them: so were it not for such like services for a time, hee would weed them out and burne them, for whatsoever is not for fruit is for the fire:1 Yea, every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall bee hewen downe and cast into the fire.