A12190:664
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.
Let every one therefore make Use of it in their calling; Those that are entrusted with Gods Message, let them know that Gods Ambassadors are to be faithful in their Message; for they serve a greater Lord then is upon the Earth. And let them show their true hatred of ill, and the danger of sin wheresoever they find it. And for those that are Governors of others, let them not think that they hate sin in themselves, except they hate sin also in all ⟨p. 319⟩that belong to them and reform it. For we see here an evidence of conversion: when Ephraim was converted. What have I any more to do with Idols? and 2 Cor. 7.11.1 There is an excellent description of the nature of Repentance by many parcels. The Corinthians had repented: how is this evidenced? O! Behold (saith he) this self same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort; what carefulness it wrought in you? yea what clearing of your selves, yea what indignation? yea what fear? yea what vehement desire? yea what zeal? yea what revenge? what Revenge and Indignation against sin, a kind of extremity of hatred? a hatred quickened and kindled, the height of hatred. What Indignation? Insinuating, that wheresoever there is the truth of conversion, there will be indignation against sin in our selves. As David confesseth of himself having sinned.2 So foolish was I and ignorant, I was as a beast before thee. When he suffered such a thought to lodge in his breast, that it was better with the children of the world, then with the Church of God, he was troubled for it. But when he went into the Church of God, and saw the end of wicked men, then he saw his own foolishness in being so deceived, and speaks against himself with indignation. So wheresoever there is true conversion, there is hatred with indignation against our selves. As in that place before alleged, they shall say unto their Idols,3 get thee hence: what have I any more to do with ⟨p. 320⟩you? which is a phrase of speech showing a disposition of hatred to the utmost extension. Get you hence; So Christ to the Devil: Get thee behind me Satan. This is the right temper of a truly converted Christian, expressed by divers phrases in Scripture; By a denial of our lusts, by killing and crucifying, by pulling out the eye, and cutting of the right hand; which phrases, do they not imply a great strength of hatred and indignation?