A12190:779
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.
That is, I will have a special eye to him, I will look to him in all conditions and states whatsoever: God never slumbers nor sleeps, like the Master of the house in the Parable,1 who when the poor man came for bread, all the rest being asleep is awake, and raised up by the importunity of the poor man. So the great Master of the family of Heaven and Earth that governs all, he wakes day and night and never sleeps; herein going beyond the care of the dearest friends we have in the world, for they must have a time to sleep, the mother though she love the child as her own bowels, yet notwithstanding she must have a resting time, and perhaps in that time the child may miscarry: but God always observes, his eye is always upon his children, they are before him, written in the palms of his hands;2 he hath them in his eye: as in Exodus, you have there God brought in observing the children of Israel: I have seen, 3I have seen the affliction of my people Israel; they thought themselves neglected of God, but he tells Moses, I have seen, I have seen, I know it very well, he adds ⟨p. 380⟩knowledge to sight. So there is no affliction in this world to Gods children, but God in seeing sees, as before he hears the groans and sighs, so he sees the most intimate inward affliction whatsoever that afflicts the soul, as they were grieved in very soul at the tyranny of Pharaoh, Oh but God in seeing he sees, whose eyes are ten thousand times brighter then the Sun. This is a consolation, when one thinks that no man sees and regards alas, what shall become of me? Why should any man say so that hath God to go too, who is all eye, and all ear. God hears and sees, his ears are always open, as it is often showed, especially Psal. 34.15. It is said, His ears are open to their prayers, and his eyes to see their afflictions.
That is, I will have a speciall eye to him, I will looke to him in all conditions and states whatsoever: God never slumbers nor sleepes, like the Master of the house in the Parable,