A12190:593
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.
Now how doth the corn revive? nor to speak of that comparison that the godly are corn and not chaff, as the wicked are, who are driven too and fro without any solidity, which though true, is not here especially aimed at. For it is supposed that they who are good and gracious have a substance, solidity, usefulness and goodness in them like the corn;1 not being empty chaff, which the wind blows away. This is useful to mention: but to come to the scope intended by the Prophet.
Now how doth the corne revive? nor to speake of that comparison that the godly are corne and not chaffe, as the wicked are, who are driven too and fro without any solidity, which though true, is not here especially aimed at. For it is supposed that they who are good and gratious have a substance, soliditie, usefulnesse and goodnesse in them like the corne;1 not being emptie chaffe, which the wind blowes away. This is usefull to mention: but to come to the scope intended by the Prophet.
- 1Psal. 1.
They shall revive as the corn, In this first, that as the corn when unsown it lies dead in the granary, fructifieth not, but when it is sown springs up to an hundred fold, as we read of in Isaacks time, who received so much increase.1 So it is with converted Christians before they were under any gracious means, or in a good place, they lay as it were dead and did not spring forth. But afterwards being planted and sown under gracious means, in good company in a good family, then they increase and grow up and multiply: They revive like the Corn.