A12190:564
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.
Wicked men know this very well, that the lives, speeches, and courses of good men for the most part are fruitful beyond theirs, therefore what they can, they labour to cast aspersions upon them that they may not smell so sweet, so crying down those who are better then themselves, that they may be the less ill thought of: and setting a price upon all things ⟨p. 262⟩in themselves and their companions. Take me a knot of cursed companions, and they are the only stout, the only wise and learned men, all learning it must live and die with them: and all other men, though incomparable beyond them in abilities, in grace, in fruitfulness to do good, they are no body, and this policy the Devil teacheth them. But this will not serve the turn, for God both in life, and after death will raise up the esteem of such who have been fruitful,1 when, The memory of the wicked shall rot, and not be mentioned without a kind of loathing. Therefore let no man trust to this foolish policy, to cry down all others that are better then themselves, thinking thereby themselves shall be better esteemed. This will not do, for as all other things, so our good name is at Gods disposing. It is not in the world to take away the good name or acceptance of good people; for they shall have the in spite of world, a place in the hearts of Gods people, who are best able to judge. The next thing promised is,
Wicked men know this very well, that the lives, speeches, and courses of good men for the most part are fruitfull beyond theirs, therefore what they can, they labour to cast aspersions upon them that they may not smell so sweet, so crying downe those who are better then themselves, that they may be the lesse ill thought of: and setting a price upon all things ⟨p. 262⟩in themselves and their companions. Take me a knot of cursed companions, and they are the onely stout, the onely wise and learned men, all learning it must live and die with them: and all other men, though incomparable beyond them in abilities, in grace, in fruitfulnesse to doe good, they are no body, and this pollicie the Divell teacheth them. But this will not serve the turne, for God both in life, and after death will raise up the esteeme of such who have beene fruitfull,