A12190:668
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.
Answ. First, 1we must every day labour to get a clearer sight of the excellency of that which is good, and a nearer communion with God by Prayer and Meditation: and then when we have been with God, it will work an abomination of whatsoever is contrary unto him. Thus Moses, when he had talked with God in the mountain, at his return seeing them dancing and sacrificing to the Calf of gold, what did Moses? he brake the Tables asunder. So it is with those that have communion with God, who is light it self,2 and in whom is no darkness, who is Holiness and Purity it self: those who have effectually conversed with God in his Ordinances, Meditation, Prayer and the like; when they look upon sin which is contrary to God, they look upon it with a more perfect hatred. So Isaiah. 6. When God appeared to the Prophet, and touched his tongue with a coal from the Altar (saith he) Woe is me for I am ⟨p. 322⟩undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, &c. for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts. Thus when once he had communion with God, he began to loath himself. So if we would hate evil, let us labour more and more to be holy and to increase in that divine affection of love. For in what measure we love that which is good, in that measure we hate the evil. As it is Psal. 97.10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. Insinuating that all that love the Lord hate evil. All those that are near unto God, they hate all sin: the more they grow into communion with God, the more they grow in the hatred of all that is contrary. Let us therefore never talk of love to God, and of Piety and such like; for if there be any grace or communion with God, we hate all sin in that measure as God hateth; he who hath no zeal to reform that which God hateth, he hath no love at all.
Answ. First, 1we must every day labour to get a cleerer sight of the excellency of that which is good, and a neerer communion with God by Prayer and Meditation: and then when we have beene with God, it will worke an abhomination of whatsoever is contrary unto him. Thus Moses, when he had talked with God in the mountaine, at his returne seeing them dancing and sacrificing to the Calfe of gold, what did Moses? he brake the Tables asunder. So it is with those that have communion with God, who is light it selfe,