A12190:769
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.
This is a safe, pious, and good sense, but the words under correction are fitliest applied unto God himself, as if God rather then Ephraim said thus, I will hear him and observe him, I will do thus and thus, I will be as a green fir-tree to shade him from danger, and to make him fruitful. But you will say Ephraim cannot cast away Idols till God respect him first. Object. Therefore this is promised in the second place, Ephraim shall say, What have I to do with Idols. And God shall say, I have seen him, heard him, and observed him, when he hath cast away Idols.
This is a safe, pious, and good sense, but the words under correction are fitliest applied unto God himselfe, as if God rather then Ephraim said thus, I will heare him and observe him, I will doe thus and thus, I will be as a greene firre-tree to shade him from danger, and to make him fruitfull. But you will say Ephraim cannot cast away Idols till God respect him first. Object. Therefore this is promised in the second place, Ephraim shall say, What have I to doe with Idols. And God shall say, I have seene him, heard him, and observed him, when hee hath cast away Idoles.
Answ. To this the Answer is, indeed in the order of nature God doth first stir us up to pray to him, and promiseth us respect and hearing of our prayers, after which we cast away Idols, but the experience of it is after we have done the deed. After that we have found God experimentally gracious, protecting and hearing of us, then we cast away Jdols. So this experience a Christian finds, when he abominates, and rejects ill ways, then he finds God allsufficient, as indeed God is never fully felt and known till we renounce all other helps. So the general point is,
Answ. To this the Answer is, indeed in the order of nature God doth first stirre us up to pray to him, and promiseth us respect and hearing of our prayers, after which we cast away Idols, but the experience of it is after wee have done the deed. After that we have found God experimentally gratious, protecting and hearing of us, then we cast away Jdols. So this experience a Christian findes, when he abhominates, and rejects ill wayes, then he findes God allsufficient, as indeed God is never fully felt and knowne till we renounce all other helps. So the generall point is,