A12190:619
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.
The sent thereof shall be as the Vine of Lebanon.
Delightful both to God and holy blessed spirits, likewise to the Church, and to the Angels which are about us, and pleasing to our own spirits; for there issueth a wondrous contentment, even to the conscience of a person which is fruitful and abundant in goodness, that soul receiveth an answerable proportion of comfort. As it is with heat that accompanieth fire alway; so there is a kind of heat of comfort, which naturally accompanieth the heat of any good action: there remaineth a sweet relish to the conscience of the performer, reflecting with Humility upon himself, with thankfulness to God, from whose Dew ⟨p. 295⟩(as we have heard before) cometh whatsoever is good: reflecting on this with an eye to the principal cause it breeds a great deal of comfort to the soul. As it was said of Josiah, the memory of Josiah was like the ointment of the Apothecary, whereas one the contrary, It is said, The remembrance of the wicked shall rot. 1God threateneth the Jews, that they should be a hissing to all nations,2 and that they should be abominable to all kind of people (for what is so odious now as the name of a Jew?) yet certainly this whole promise shall be verified even of them: this whole Chapter having an eye unto the calling of the Jews. The time will come that the sent of these odious people (who are now the object of hatred unto all people) shall be as the Vine of Lebanon.
Delightfull both to God and holy blessed spirits, likewise to the Church, and to the Angels which are about us, and pleasing to our owne spirits; for there issueth a wondrous contentment, even to the conscience of a person which is fruitfull and aboundant in goodnesse, that soule receiveth an answerable proportion of comfort. As it is with heate that accompanieth fire alway; so there is a kinde of heate of comfort, which naturally accompanieth the heate of any good action: there remaineth a sweet relish to the conscience of the performer, reflecting with Humility upon himselfe, with thankefulnesse to God, from whose Dew