A12190:742
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. Because it is will-worship, a device of their own brain, suiting their natural will and appetite. And what makes them so furious (as all Idolaters are cruel) though they be mild of their own nature, yet as Idolaters they are cruel? It is because it is a device of their own brain, a brat, a child of their own begetting; wherefore they strive to maintain it, because it is their own. Let us therefore conceive this much, that it is no easy matter to free the soul from Idolatry, and all the degrees of this cursed disposition, this will make us beg earnestly the Spirit of God, by which only we shall subdue this Idolatrous proud conceit, and lay our selves open to Christ, to be disposed of as he pleaseth. Beg the Spirit only, whereby we ⟨p. 357⟩shall mortify the cursed deeds of the flesh: for, nature will never subdue nature;1 the Spirit of God therefore is that which can, and must free us from all dregs and tainture of this cursed disposition, which the Jews were so scourged for, and hardly driven from.
Answ. Because it is will-worship, a device of their owne braine, suiting their naturall will and appetite. And what makes them so furious (as all Idolaters are cruell) though they be mild of their owne nature, yet as Idolaters they are cruell? It is because it is a device of their owne braine, a brat, a childe of their owne begetting; wherefore they strive to maintaine it, because it is their owne. Let us therefore conceive this much, that it is no easie matter to free the soule from Idolatry, and all the degrees of this cursed disposition, this will make us beg earnestly the Spirit of God, by which onely we shall subdue this Idolatrous proud conceit, and lay our selves open to Christ, to be disposed of as hee pleaseth. Beg the Spirit onely, whereby wee ⟨p. 357⟩shall mortifie the cursed deeds of the flesh: for, nature will never subdue nature;1 the Spirit of God therefore is that which can, and must free us from all dregs and tainture of this cursed disposition, which the Jewes were so scourged for, and hardly driven from.