A12190:553
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.
And the more to stir us up hereunto, let us ⟨p. 255⟩know that wheresoever the dew of grace falls, and where there is the means of salvation, that at that very time, there is an axe, an instrument of vengeance laid to the root of the tree, which is not struck down presently, but it is laid to the root, that is vengeance is threatened to the tree, to that plant which hath the means, and brings not forth good fruit in time and season. What is the end thereof? to be hewen down and cast into the fire. As we see the Church of the Jews, when Christ came, the Messiah, the great Prophet of the Church, never was there more means of salvation: yet even then, what saith John Baptist, Now, even now, is the axe laid unto the root of the tree; and indeed in a few years after, the whole tree, the Church of Jews was cut down. And Revel. 6. we see, after the Rider on the white horse, which is the preaching of the Gospel, there comes a red bloody Horse, and a pale Horse: War and Famine. After the white Horse, his triumphant Chariot, the preaching of the Gospel if this take not place, that it win and gain not: what follows after? the red and the pale Horse, War, Famine, and Destruction. It will not be alway with us as it is; for the Gospel having been so long preached, we having been so long planted in Gods Paradise the Church: if we bear not fruit, The axe is laid to the root of the tree: God will strike at the root, and root up all, therefore let every one in their place be fruitful.
And the more to stirre us up hereunto, let us ⟨p. 255⟩know that wheresoever the dew of grace falls, and where there is the meanes of salvation, that at that very time, there is an axe, an instrument of vengeance laid to the roote of the tree, which is not struck downe presently, but it is laid to the roote, that is vengeance is threatned to the tree, to that plant which hath the meanes, and brings not forth good fruit in time and season. What is the end thereof? to be hewen downe and cast into the fire. As wee see the Church of the Iewes, when Christ came, the Messias, the great Prophet of the Church, never was there more meanes of salvation: yet even then, what saith Iohn Baptist, Now, even now, is the axe laid unto the roote of the tree; and indeed in a few yeares after, the whole tree, the Church of Iewes was cut downe. And