A12190:716
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.
Use 3 Again, if this be so that Popery be Idolary,1 and that we must beware of all Idolatry, let us take heed therefore that we have nothing to do with them more then we must needs. Converse with them in our callings we may, because (as an ancient father saith) we be compossessors of the world, and not of Religion: we must go out of the world if we will not have to do with them sometimes in the places where we live, but amity is very dangerous with such; the Scripture runs much upon it, should we love them whom God hates. It was Eves fault, that without a calling she ventured to talk with the Serpent, we should therefore shun conversing and parley with them as much as may be. As there were rails set about mount Sinai, to keep of the people from touching the Mountain; so God hath set hedges about the second Commandment, to keep us off from offending in it: as it was usual with God in this kind. As when he would keep them far from murder, 2he forbade them to kill the dam with the young, and not to seeth a kid in his mothers milk, only to restrain them from murder that abominable sin; such precepts the Jews call the hedges of the Commandments. So for Idolatry, the Scripture would have us hate the garment spotted with the flesh, to defile the Coverings of the Images; 3to account them as a menstruous cloth, &c. and to have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness. To hate all ⟨p. 343⟩monuments of Idolatry. As Augustine saith of monuments; any monument moves and stirs up the mind. So any thing that may move or stir us to Idolatry, we should abhor and keep a far off from it.
Vse 3 Againe, if this be so that Popery be Idolary,1 and that we must beware of all Jdolatry, let us take heed therefore that we have nothing to doe with them more then we must needs. Converse with them in our callings we may, because (as an ancient father saith) we be compossessors of the world, and not of Religion: we must goe out of the world if we will not have to doe with them sometimes in the places where we live, but amity is very dangerous with such; the Scripture runnes much upon it, should we love them whom God hates. It was Eves fault, that without a calling she ventured to talke with the Serpent, wee should therefore shunne conversing and parly with them as much as may be. As there were railes set about mount Synai, to keepe of the people from touching the Mountaine; so God hath set hedges about the second Commandement, to keepe us off from offending in it: as it was usuall with God in this kinde. As when he would keepe them farre from murder,