A12190:607
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. 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 ⟨p. 288⟩fruit; As it is in Isaiah; Spoil it not, for there is a Blessing in it. 1If a Christian be fruitful, and labours to be more fruitful, God gives a prohibition, he is my vine, do him no harm: Touch not mine anointed, 2nor do my Prophets no harm. Satan himself and all creatures in Heaven and in Earth, have a prohibition to touch his vines no further then shall be for their good. Will a man suffer men to come into his Orchard to break down his vines? he will not. Surely though the sins of this nation be very great: yet one thing ministereth hope, God hath a great many vines under his shadow and protection, many conscionable Magistrates, Ministers and people of other professions; Governors of families and the like, which walk holily, God will spare the vineyard, even for the vines that bear fruit. A notable place amongst others we have Cant. 2.15. Take us the Foxes and the little Foxes that spoil the vine: for our vines have tender grapes. There is in every Church not only gross Papists, and foreign enemies, that would root out all if it were in their power: but subtle foxes also, men that pride themselves in devilish policy, to under-mine the Church and Children of God: who wheresoever they see vine or grapes, they malice that: both the means and grace wrought by the means is the object of their cruelty. Subtle foxes they are who account it a great deal of glory to be accounted politic men, to do mischief secretly and closely in the Church: ⟨p. 289⟩