A12190:601
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.
Again, as it is fruitful, so it is exceeding fruitful, abounding in fruit, so Christians are vines not only for a little fruit that they bear: but because they are abundantly fruitful, which is premised: that if they do as they should do; they shall be vines abundant in the work of the Lord:
Againe, as it is fruitfull, so it is exceeding fruitfull, abounding in fruit, so Christians are vines not onely for a little fruit that they beare: but because they are aboundantly fruitfull, which is premised: that if they doe as they should do; they shall be vines aboundant in the worke of the Lord:
And further the vine as we know is never a whit the worse for pruning, but is pruned and cut (as our Saviour speaks) that it may bring forth the more fruit. 1So the Church and people of God are never a whit the worse for afflictions: for as the best vines need dressing and pruning, the best ground ploughing, the best linen washing, the best metal the fire to consume away the dross, the best things we use having something amiss. So the best Christians need dressing and purging from the great husbandman, whereby they are not the worse but the better, having thereby much corruption purged ⟨p. 284⟩away from them: as the pruning of the vine, makes it not the worse, but draws wild things from it, which would draw away the strength of the vine. A Christian is the better for his afflictions, wherein the glory of the Church especially consists. For the Church never thrived better then in Egypt, where they laboured to crush and to cut the vine. God brought his vine out of Egypt for all this, maugre all the malice of the enemies. The Church was never more glorious in it own seat, then it was in Babylon under the Captivity, how glorious then was the Church in Daniel and others.
And further the vine as we know is never a whit the worse for pruning, but is pruned and cut (as our Saviour speakes) that it may bring foorth the more fruit.