A12190:786
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 be like a green fir tree in regard of shadow, a Fir tree is a high tree, a goodly smooth tree, barren in regard of fruit, but it hath thick leaves, which hinders rain from falling upon those who rest under the shadow thereof, and likewise keeps the Sun from annoying them, so it is a fit tree for shadow, and the fitter because it hath no fruit, for usually those trees which spend not themselves this way, they ⟨p. 383⟩spend themselves in leaves, and have a perpetual greenness, which is supplied with that which should be fruit in fruitful trees. Therefore he sets it down by this comparison of a fir tree, that so God will keep back all showers, tempests and storms, and all annoying heat, and he will do it perpetually, as the fir tree hath a perpetual greenness, and he will do it with pleasure and delight, as it is a delightful shadow. But because the Fir tree hath no fruit on it, God will not only be a shadow to his children to keep ill from them, but he will be a fruitful tree to them. From me (saith God) shall thy fruit be found, that is, whatsoever good thou doest, thou shalt have it from me, all fruitful comfort comes from me, and all grace; whatsoever is good for thee for prosperity of soul or body, all is from me. So we see how God conveyeth himself and his mercy here by sweet comparisons, dealing very familiarly with us, and speaking to us in our own language: we will take both in order as they lye.
God will be like a greene firre tree in regard of shadow, a Firre tree is a high tree, a goodly smooth tree, barren in regard of fruit, but it hath thicke leaves, which hinders raine from falling upon those who rest under the shadow thereof, and likewise keepes the Sunne from annoying them, so it is a fit tree for shadow, and the fitter because it hath no fruit, for usually those trees which spend not themselves this way, they ⟨p. 383⟩spend themselves in leaves, and have a perpetual greenenesse, which is supplied with that which should be fruit in fruitfull trees. Therefore he sets it downe by this comparison of a firre tree, that so God will keepe backe all showers, tempests and stormes, and all annoying heat, and he will doe it perpetually, as the firre tree hath a perpetuall greenenesse, and he will doe it with pleasure and delight, as it is a delightfull shadow. But because the Firre tree hath no fruit on it, God will not onely be a shadow to his children to keepe ill from them, but he will be a fruitfull tree to them. From me (saith God) shall thy fruit be found, that is, whatsoever good thou doest, thou shalt have it from me, all fruitfull comfort comes from me, and all grace; whatsoever is good for thee for prosperity of soule or body, all is from me. So we see how God conveyeth himselfe and his mercy here by sweet comparisons, dealing very familiarly with us, and speaking to us in our owne language: wee will take both in order as they lye.