A12190:731
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.
And so in the next place,1 they frame Christ an Idol, in taking him without his cross: they will be of the true Religion, but when they come to suffer any thing, if it be but a frown, a reproach or disgrace, they give out and fall back. Such they frame to themselves an Idol, a false Christ: for the knowledge of Christ is never without the Cross, some cross or other, some persecution or other in some kind.2 All who will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution. A man may live godly and not suffer persecution, but he that will live godly in Christ, so as he showeth his nature to be altered, carrying an Antipathy against all false courses, and so as the world may conceive that he is such an one, it is impossible that he should live in the world without persecution: because he shall meet with those that are of an opposite disposition. Therefore to frame a smooth Christ, all comfort, is to frame a false Christ and a false Religion, to frame an Idol that hath no truth in it, that never was, nor never will be to the end of the world.
And so in the next place,1 they frame Christ an Idoll, in taking him without his crosse: they will be of the true Religion, but when they come to suffer any thing, if it be but a frowne, a reproch or disgrace, they give out and fall backe. Such they frame to themselves an Idoll, a false Christ: for the knowledge of Christ is never without the Crosse, some crosse or other, some persecution or other in some kinde.2 All who will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution. A man may live godly and not suffer persecution, but he that will live godly in Christ, so as hee sheweth his nature to be altered, carrying an Antipathy against all false courses, and so as the world may conceive that he is such an one, it is impossible that he should live in the world without persecution: because he shall meete with those that are of an opposite disposition. Therefore to frame a smooth Christ, all comfort, is to frame a false Christ and a false Religion, to frame an Idol that hath no truth in it, that never was, nor never will be to the end of the world.