A12190:746
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.
1Therefore let us not think will-worship a flight matter;2 for we see Popery is nothing else but a bundle of mans devices? we see in Scripture, when the dearest friends of Christ came unto him with devices of their own and good intentions, Christ notwithstanding saw the Devil in them. Peter made a great confession, Thou art the Son of the living God, and then he came,3 Master spare thy self: whereunto Christ replied, […] thee behind […] Satan. God is never ⟨p. 359⟩more provoked then when men think to honour him with their own devices, stablishing a false, and neglecting his own true worship. And there is usually little amendment of these kind of persons, because they carry with them a show of wisdom, as Paul saith,4 and great Humility: which things being so carried with a show of some grace and wisdom (though they be desperate folly in the conclusion) men hardly will part withal.5 As we see of corporal Adultery, few of them are reclaimed; because it hath a bewitching alluring power: which is most true of the spiritual Adulterers, there are few of them reclaimed, until God by some severe judgement alter and bring down the proud imagination to serve him as he will be served, so as to say with Ephraim here, What have I now any more to do with Idols?
1Therefore let us not thinke will-worship a flight matter;2 for we see Popery is nothing else but a bundle of mans devices? we see in Scripture, when the dearest friends of Christ came unto him with devices of their owne and good intentions, Christ notwithstanding saw the Divell in them. Peter made a great confession, Thou art the Sonne of the living God, and then he came,3