A12190:671
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.
1And consider that it is the bane of all our comfort, this which we so cherish, and that it embitters all things to us. We cannot rejoice (no not in the good blessings of God) whilst we are guilty of sin:2 neither can we pray comfortably, whilst our hearts regard it. In this case that which should rejoice the heart, communion with God,3 is terrible to us. What have I to do to take his name in my mouth, when I embrace such sins. The day of judgement is terrible also, for how can a man think comfortably thereof, if therewith he expect a heavy doom for his sins he liveth in? So we may say of the day of death, none of these can be thought upon without terror, when therewithal it cometh to ones mind the cutting off from their sins,4 and the terror of the Lord against all sin whatsoever. It should be the joy of our hearts to think of these happy times: therefore there must needs be a great deal of sin and Atheism in our hearts, when we cannot think comfortably of them. For either we believe not these things, and so are plain Atheists: or else, if we believe them, we are exceeding foolish to loose future joys for the poor pleasures of sin for a season.5
1And consider that it is the bane of all our comfort, this which we so cherish, and that it imbitters all things to us. We cannot rejoyce (no not in the good blessings of God) whilst we are guilty of sinne:2 neither can we pray comfortably, whilst our hearts regard it. In this case that which should rejoyce the heart, communion with God,3 is terrible to us. What have I to doe to take his name in my mouth, when I embrace such sinnes. The day of judgement is terrible also, for how can a man thinke comfortably thereof, if therewith hee expect a heavie doome for his sinnes he liveth in? So we may say of the day of death, none of these can be thought upon without terror, when therewithall it commeth to ones minde the cutting off from their sinnes,