A12190:711
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. 2 And then again, (as the Psalmist speaks) because those who worship Idols become blockish and stupid like unto them, for an Idol is a blockish dead thing. So Idolaters are stupid dead things in a sort,1 who are seldom converted; partly because they are drunk, and partly because they are stupid, like the Idols they worship.
Answ. 2 And then againe, (as the Psalmist speakes) because those who worship Idols become blockish and stupid like unto them, for an Jdoll is a blockish dead thing. So Idolaters are stupid dead things in a sort,1 who are seldome converted; partly because they are drunke, and partly because they are stupid, like the Idols they worship.
Use 1 If this be so, as it is too true to the eye of the whole world, then how ought we to bless God, who hath brought us out of this palpable Egyptian darkness, out of spiritual Sodom, as Lot was out of that Sodom: O we cannot be thankful enough, nor ought we to desire to return to Sodom again,1 or unto Egypt. Where then is place left for neutrality? those neuters that will be of neither Religion? Is such a disposition from the Spirit of God, which maketh Ephraim say here, what have I any more to do with Idols? Ephraim would not be a neuter, therefore what shall we say unto them that present themselves to Masses in their travels especially; is this to say with Ephraim: what have I any more to do with Idols? we must believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth to salvation:2 if a man might escape with having his heart to God-wards and his body prostrate, where were confession? In Elijah time, God told him, that