A12190:773
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.
On the contrary, when we go on with favouring abuses and corruptions, yet expecting good success, it is in vain. Let Ephraim come to say, What have I to do with Idols? and see then whether God will respect him or not. Do Nations or persons think that God will respect them or bless them, whilst they do that which is abominable to him. No; when Ephraim saith, what have I to do with Idols? then presently comes, God will hear and observe him, and look to him, as you have it in that gracious promise, The eyes of the Lord are open unto all them that fear him, 1and his ears ⟨p. 375⟩are open to their prayers, his eyes and his ears. Indeed God is all eye and all ear, the best friend in the world, cannot have his eye always upon us, the mothers eye cannot be always upon her child, she must have a time to sleep, when neither her eyes nor ears are open to her child's prayers, it may cry and die in crying sometimes before she can help it. But if we renounce sin, we have a gracious Father, who will hear us, observe us, and see us, and not only hear and see, but as the Scripture phrase is, do that that follows all this, where he sees, he will pity and relieve, and where he hears, he will pity and protect.
On the contrary, when we goe on with favouring abuses and corruptions, yet expecting good successe, it is in vaine. Let Ephraim come to say, What have I to doe with Idols? and see then whether God will respect him or not. Doe Nations or persons thinke that God will respect them or blesse them, whilst they doe that which is abhominable to him. No; when Ephraim saith, what have I to doe with Idols? then presently comes, God will heare and observe him, and looke to him, as you have it in that gratious promise, The eyes of the Lord are open unto all them that feare him, 1and his eares ⟨p. 375⟩are open to their prayers, his eyes and his eares. Indeed God is all eye and all eare, the best friend in the world, cannot have his eye alwayes upon us, the mothers eye cannot be alwayes upon her child, she must have a time to sleepe, when neither her eyes nor eares are open to her childs prayers, it may cry and die in crying sometimes before shee can helpe it. But if we renounce sinne, wee have a gratious Father, who will heare us, observe us, and see us, and not onely heare and see, but as the Scripture phrase is, doe that that followes all this, where he sees, he will pitty and relieve, and where he heares, he will pitty and protect.