A12190:636
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.
Ephraim shall say, what have I any more to do with Idols, &c.
Ephraim shall say, what have I any more to doe with Idols, &c.
Some think the words come upon Ephraims observing and hearing of him: so as when God is seen in his most excellent majesty and glory, and observed as he is just, merciful and wonderful terrible in himself, that this manner of hearing and observation causeth flesh and blood so to stoop and reform, as they yield themselves, and resign up all unto God, seeing that miserable condition they are in, and what an infinite distance there is betwixt their impurity, and Gods most excellent holiness. As we read of Isaiah when he had seen God in his throne of majesty;1 Woe is me (saith he) for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts. ⟨p. 307⟩And so of Job, 2I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee, wherefore I abhor my self, and repent in dust and ashes. Which indeed is true in the general, that a man then truly repenteth and turneth unto God, when he knoweth God and himself to purpose; and never effectually until then: for Christ who cannot lye, and is truth it self, calleth this kind of knowledge eternal life. This is life eternal, to know thee to be the only very God, and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ. 3But though this be a general truth: yet we take it here rather for an encouragement unto Ephraim, as before, that nothing is lost by cleaving unto Gods ways, and forsaking of sin. Now whereas Ephraim (shall say) what have I any more to do with Idols: In the words we may consider.