A12190:606
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.
Use. 1 Is this so, then let us examine our selves what our fruit is: if we be vines what is our fruit? what comes from us? Certainly if we do not show forth that fruit we should in our lives and conversations, in our speech, carriage and actions, when we are called to it, it is an argument that as yet the dew of Gods grace hath never fallen upon us so as it must before we come to Heaven. As was said before, a man may endure a dead plant in his ground; but in his orchard he will not. He may endure weeds in pastures, in neglected grounds, but not in his garden. If we be Lilies in Gods Garden, and vines in his Orchard, we must be fruitful and grow, or else God will not endure us.1 Of all woes, the greatest woe lies upon them, who enjoy plentiful and abundant means and yet are not fruitful.
Vse. 1 Is this so, then let us examine our selves what our fruit is: if we be vines what is our fruit? what comes from us? Certainely if we doe not shew foorth that fruit we should in our lives and conversations, in our speech, carriage and actions, when we are called to it, it is an argument that as yet the dew of Gods grace hath never fallen upon us so as it must before wee come to Heaven. As was said before, a man may endure a dead plant in his ground; but in his orchard he will not. He may endure weeds in pastures, in neglected grounds, but not in his garden. If wee be Lillies in Gods Garden, and vines in his Orchard, we must be fruitfull and grow, or else God will not endure us.1 Of all woes, the greatest woe lies upon them, who enjoy plentifull and aboundant meanes and yet are not fruitfull.
Use. 2 That we are vines, and Gods vines, it is in the next place an Use of Comfort; that God therefore will have a care of us, if we be fruitful, he will have a special care of that place where his vines are planted, if we see many gracious persons, and families who are conscionable in their practise and conversation, we may rest assured that God the great husbandman will have a special care of those choice vines and the places they live in, they carry the blessing of God with them wheresoever they go, with a shadow and protection, making every place the better for them. For God will care for those vines which bring forth much