A12190:657
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.
1Again he that hateth sin truly as sin, will hate the greatest sin in the greatest measure; because he hates it, as it is hateful. Now in the nature of things, the greatest sin deserveth the greatest abomination, and aversation from it. Therefore, he who truly hateth sin, he hates the greatest sin most of all. Those therefore that are very nice in less matters, and loose in greater things, It is but Hypocrisy: for he who truly hates sin as sin, where the greatest sin is, thither he directs the edge of his hatred, which is the strongliest carried against the strongest ill. And such a one will ⟨p. 315⟩not respect persons in evil; but wheresoever he findeth it; if he have a calling, there will be an answerable hatred of it. Therefore if one be a Minister of the Word of God, he will do as good Micaiah did,2 and will not balk Ahab for his greatness. And like good John Baptist, he will tell Herod of his faults, because he hates sin as sin; therefore (where he hath a calling to it) he will hate it proportionably in the greatest measure.3 Good Ely in this case, was too indulgent over his sons: but we must love no man so nearly,4 as to love the ill in them.
1Againe he that hateth sinne truely as sinne, will hate the greatest sin in the greatest measure; because he hates it, as it is hatefull. Now in the nature of things, the greatest sin deserveth the greatest abhomination, and aversation from it. Therefore, he who truely hateth sinne, he hates the greatest sinne most of all. Those therefore that are very nice in lesse matters, and loose in greater things, It is but Hipocrisie: for hee who truely hates sinne as sinne, where the greatest sinne is, thither he directs the edge of his hatred, which is the strongliest carried aagainst the strongest ill. And such a one will ⟨p. 315⟩not respect persons in evill; but wheresoever he findeth it; if he have a calling, there will be an answerable hatred of it. Therefore if one be a Minister of the Word of God, he will doe as good Micaiah did,