A12190:736
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 after Conversion; those that are in the state of grace oftentimes want that comfort in the main point of justification and acceptation to life everlasting which they should have: because they look into their imperfections, seeing this and that want, and so are swallowed up of discomfort; whereas if we had all the graces in the world, yet we must live by Faith, relying upon the merits of Christ. For our good works bring us not to Heaven as a cause, but only are helps and comforts to us in our walking to Heaven. For if we had all ⟨p. 353⟩the sins of all men, yet Christs all-sufficient Righteousness is sufficient for to do them all away, if we can go out of our selves, and cleave to that. Therefore in trouble of conscience, we must not look either to our good or our ill, but to Gods infinite Mercy, and to the infinite satisfaction of our blessed Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, there as it were loosing our selves, seeing our sins as mountains drowned in the infinite sea of his Mercy. The blood of Christ, that will pacify and stay the conscience, nothing else can give rest to our souls. If we look to our works and to the measure of our sanctification, what saith holy Paul in the like case? Yea doubtless, 1and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, even his Righteousness and best works; therefore there is no regard to be had of them in that case. Wherefore when we would speak comfort to a distressed conscience, we must not look to his ill or good, but to the command. This is his command that we believe: 2and look to the all sufficiency of God in Christ, and the promises, whereby we honour God in giving him the glory of his truth, and depart with comfort. Therefore though we hate gross Idolatry, yet we see there are many ways wherein the soul may be seduced, whereby we may come very near that sin ⟨p. 354⟩which our soul hateth; by trusting too much to something out of God.
And after Conversion; those that are in the state of grace oftentimes want that comfort in the maine point of justification and acceptation to life everlasting which they should have: because they looke into their imperfections, seeing this and that want, and so are swallowed up of discomfort; whereas if we had all the graces in the world, yet we must live by Faith, relying upon the merits of Christ. For our good works bring us not to Heaven as a cause, but onely are helps and comforts to us in our walking to Heaven. For if we had all