A12190:609
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. 3 The next use shall be for encouragement unto weak ones: should tender and weak Christians then be discouraged for whom God is so careful? surely no. Put case they bring forth but little fruit, yet, O destroy it not, for a blessing is in it. Therefore let us not be discouraged if we be Gods vines: which is known and discovered, not by the abundance of fruit only, but by the kind of our fruit also; if it come from the Spirit of God, and relish of the Spirit, though it be not in such plenty: yet a vine is not a thorn, a Christian is not to be discouraged though he bring not forth abundance of fruit at the first. There are different degrees and tempers of soil, and of ages in Christianity, which is spoken to encourage those that are ⟨p. 290⟩good, and yet are discouraged, because it is not with them as with some other Christians of their acquaintance. Know that there is no set measure of grace necessary to salvation but truth. God doth assign us a measure of grace according to his good pleasure, and according as he hath purposed to make us profitable to others in the use of means. Those whom he means to use for suffering or doing of great matters in the Church, those he fits suitably for that he means to call them to: others have not that abundance of grace, out of Gods wisdom, who knows best how to dispense his own graces to his own glory. If we allow not our selves in our weaknesses, but groan under them, hate them, and strive against them, reaching towards perfection: in this case our weaknesses shall not hurt our salvation; but God will perfect his power in our weakness.1
Vse. 3 The next use shall be for incouragement unto weake ones: should tender and weake Christians then be discouraged for whom God is so carefull? surely no. Put case they bring forth but little fruite, yet, O destroy it not, for a blessing is in it. Therfore let us not be discouraged if wee be Gods vines: which is knowne and discovered, not by the abundance of fruit only, but by the kind of our fruit also; if it come from the Spirit of God, and rellish of the Spirit, though it be not in such plenty: yet a vine is not a thorne, a Christian is not to be discouraged though he bring not forth aboundance of fruit at the first. There are different degrees and tempers of soyle, and of ages in Christianity, which is spoken to incourage those that are ⟨p. 290⟩