A12190:603
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.
1Again, to the outward appearance, the vine is a rugged unseemly plant, being not sightly and beautiful to look on: yet is it abundantly fruitful under that unsightliness. So if we look to the outward state and face of the Church, it is nothing else to look to but a deformed company, defaced by affliction, live-less here (as it were) having their life hid up with God in Christ, 2(as the Apostle speaks) their life here is covered over with many afflictions, crosses, infirmities and disgraces, whereunto they are subject, like unto other men. Therefore as it was the state of the head, to have no outward form or beauty, though inwardly he was all glorious. So the beauty of the Church is inward: for outward show, it being unsightly like the vine, crooked and uneven, there being nothing delightful in it unless it be in regard of ⟨p. 285⟩the fruit that comes from it. So it is with the Church of God and particular Christians: who though in outward government they have not that policy and outward glory other governments have, yet there is an inward secret work of Gods government of the Church by contraries,3 which exceeds all other policies, wherein he brings glory from shame, life by death, he brings down and lifts up; when he is about his excellent work, he humbleth first. This is an ordinary way, therefore we must not take offence at any outward deformity that we see in the Church, and in Gods Children, when they seem to be trampled upon: they are but as vines, unsightly to the eye, they have a life, though it be a hidden one.
1Againe, to the outward appearance, the vine is a rugged unseemely plant, being not sightly and beautifull to look on: yet is it aboundantly fruitfull under that unsightlines. So if we look to the outward state and face of the Church, it is nothing else to looke to but a deformed company, defaced by affliction, live-lesse heere (as it were) having their life hid up with God in Christ, 2(as the Apostle speakes) their life heere is covered over with many afflictions, crosses, infirmities and disgraces, whereunto they are subject, like unto other men. Therefore as it was the state of the head, to have no outward forme or beauty, though inwardly he was all glorious. So the beauty of the Church is inward: for outward shew, it being unsightly like the vine, crooked and uneven, there being nothing delightfull in it unlesse it be in regard of