A12190:775
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.
God will hear when once we renounce sin. If I regard iniquity in my heart, 1God will not hear my prayers, saith David. But when I do not regard iniquity God will hear my prayers. Then a man may know that God will hear him, when once he hath renounced sin and comes with clean hands and heart to God. As it is in Isaiah, they were corrupt in their course, and yet came to God,2 but he rejects all, so in the last of that Prophecy, he accounts of their Sacrifices, as of the cutting off of a dogs neck, because their hands were full of blood, and they were full of sin. Reform abuses, let there be personal and national Reformation, and then come and reason the matter with God, and see whether he will regard us or not. The spirit it is said, makes requests ⟨p. 376⟩for the Saints, and God knoweth the meaning of the Spirit, 3because it makes request according to the will of God. The same Spirit that stirs us up to amend our lives and fly Idolatrous courses, the same Spirit stirs us up to pray to God according to the will of God, and then God hears the desires of his own Spirit. Of all judgements in the world this is the greatest to pray and not to be heard, for when we are in misery our remedy is prayer: now when that which should be our remedy is not regarded, what a pitiful thing is that? Now here is an excellent blessing set down to pray, and for God to hear, I will hear him and observe him. Because then God and Ephraim were of one mind and join in one, therefore God cannot but hear and regard Ephraim, being of his mind to love and to hate what he loves and hates.4 As soon as ever the Prodigal began to hate his former courses, the Father came out to meet him,5 and so of David, I said I will confess my sins to God, (I said) that is, in my heart I resolved to confess to God, and thou forgavest mine iniquity, God heard his resolution. We cannot else entertain a full purpose to go to God, unless there be a cessation from sin: the Prodigal for all his contrition, was afraid to be shaken of his Father for his dissolute life: O! but the Father provides a banquet: so it is when we turn to God and resolve a new life, to cast away our Idolatries, and former abominations, presently God hears