A12190:605
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.
And further, a vine is so weak that it must be propped and supported a long, or else it will lie on the ground; such is the estate of the Church, which must have something to fence it and under-prop it. God is the strength of the Church, it is a wondrous weak plant. The Children of God are wondrous weak, and exposed to a wonderful deal of misery: in regard whereof and of the injuries and weaknesses they are exposed too, they must have support. A Christian is compared to the shiftless things, Sheep, Lambs, and Doves, and in the plants they are compared to the vine, which needs a strong support,1 And (as Solomon saith of the conies) though they are a weak people of themselves, yet notwithstanding they have a strong rock over their heads, where they are safe, though they be as weak as the vine. So Gods people though they be weak of themselves; yet they have a strong support to up-hold them; God by the Ordinances of Magistracy and Ministry (especially by his Spirit) keeps them up and supports them, that they spread in largeness and in fruitfulness.
And further, a vine is so weake that it must be prop'd and supported a long, or else it will lie on the ground; such is the estate of the Church, which must have somethi•g to fence it and under-prop it. God is the strength of the Church, it is a wondrous weake plant. The Children of God are wondrous weake, and exposed to a wonderfull deale of misery: in regard whereof and of the injuries and weaknesses they are exposed too, they must have support. A Christian is compared to the shiftlesse things, Sheep, Lambes, and Doves, and in the plants they are compared to the vine, which needs a strong support,1 And (as Salomon saith of the conies) though they are a weake people of themselves, yet notwithstanding they have a strong rocke over their heads, where they are safe, though they bee as weake as the vine. So Gods people though they bee weake of themselves; yet they have a strong support to up-hold them; God by the Ordinances of Magistracie and Ministry (especially by his Spirit) keepes them up and supports them, that they spread in largenesse and in fruitfulnesse.