A12190:554
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.
Every one that is fruitful, God hath a special care of.1 If any tree were fruitful, the Israelites in their conquests were to spare that, because it was useful, and they might have use of it. So God will always spare fruitful trees, and have a special care of such in common calamities. Let us therefore be exhorted not only to bring forth fruit, but to bring forth fruit in abundance, to study to excel in good works, the word in the Original is, A Standard bearer: to stand before others in good works. As it is in Titus, 2labour to be as Standard bearers, to go before others in good works: strive to outgo others in fruitfulness; for therein is the excellency. For those both in the sight of God and men are in most esteem, who are most fruitful in their callings and places. The more we excel in fruitfulness, the more we excel in comfort: and the more we excel this way, the more we may excel: for God will tend and prune good trees,3 that they may bring forth more and better fruit. And the more majesty we walk with, the more we damp the enemies, seeing them all under our feet; a growing Christian never wants abundance of encouragement, for he sees such grounds of comfort, as that he walks impregnable and invincible in all the discouragements of this world, breaking through all,4 as Solomon saith, it is a comely thing to see a Lyon walk: so much more it is to see a valiant strong well-grown Christian (who is bold as a Lyon) abound in good works.
Every one that is fruitfull, God hath a speciall care of.1 If any tree were fruitfull, the Israelites in their conquests were to spare that, because it was usefull, and they might have use of it. So God will alwaies spare fruitfull trees, and have a speciall care of such in common calamities. Let us therefore be exhorted not only to bring forth fruit, but to bring forth fruit in abundance, to studie to excell in good workes, the word in the Originall is, A Standerdbearer: to stand before others in good workes. As it is in Titus,