A12190:604
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.
It is excellently set down by Ezekiel, 1what the vine is of it self, it is serviceable for nothing: we cannot make a pin of it; It is such a brittle wood as is good for nothing but to bear fruit. So take a Christian that professeth Religion, if he be not fruitful in his place, of all men he is the worst: of all men he is either the best, or the worst: as the vine, if it bear fruit it is the best, though it be an unsightly tree: but otherwise it is fit for nothing but the fire. Therefore let no man glory in his profession, that he is baptised, hears sermons, and reads. But where is thy fruit? wherefore serves the dressing and pruning of the vine, but for fruit? if there be no fruit, a Christian is the worst man ⟨p. 286⟩that lives: worst, in regard that he is bad under good means, and in condition he is the worst of all men, his torment is the greater. Those that are barren and unfruitful under means, the time will come, that they will wish they had never enjoyed such a testimony against themselves.
It is excellently set downe by EZekiel, 1what the vine is of it selfe, it is serviceable for nothing: we cannot make a pinne of it; It is such a brittle wood as is good for nothing but to beare fruit. So take a Christian that professeth Religion, if he be not fruitfull in his place, of all men he is the worst: of all men he is either the best, or the worst: as the vine, if it beare fruit it is the best, though it be an unsightly tree: but otherwise it is fit for nothing but the fire. Therefore let no man glory in his profession, that he is baptised, heares sermons, and reads. But where is thy fruit? wherefore serves the dressing and pruning of the vine, but for fruit? if there be no fruit, a Christian is the worst man ⟨p. 286⟩that lives: worst, in regard that he is bad under good meanes, and in condition he is the worst of all men, his torment is the greater. Those that are barren and unfruitfull under meanes, the time will come, that they will wish they had never enjoyed such a testimony against themselves.