A12190:799
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.
1If this be so then consider how fearful the condition of those people is that are not under the shadow of the Almighty, who have not God as a fir-tree to shadow and cover them, that he is not a cloud by day too, and a pillar of fire by night, that have not him for a hiding place to spread the wings of his mercy over them. What is the state of such people? Surely howsoever God feed them, and fills their belly with good things in this world for a time, yet their case will be fearful, when God lets loose conscience and Satan's fiery darts against them. Judge then hereby what our state is by nature without God. The same sun which cherisheth and comforteth, also tortures and scorches us: so God is a sun, a quickening sun to his children, yea a vigorous sun,2 who hath healing under his wings; but to the wicked he is a scorching and a consuming fire,3 it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God who is so dreadful: ⟨p. 393⟩he will not be a shadow to the wicked in an excellent manner, he indeed permits them to have many shadows in this world, many sweet comforts, and keeps them also from many dangers, but they have not that worthy portion which Hannah had from her Husband, Love at the hour of death, and in time of temptation, when these comforts leave them, what shadow have they then? none at all; but are as naked men in a storm, subject to the fury of Gods eternal wrath. The things which are most comfortable to Gods people are most terrible to them, as it is said in one of those plagues poured out upon Antichrist (for all the viols there spoken of tend to the punishing of Antichrist,4) there is a viol poured forth upon the Sun, which reflecting and lighting upon them, causeth them to blaspheme, they were so scorched with it. The Sun by probable interpreters, is said to be the Word of God, which when it is opened is sweet and comfortable to Gods people, but shining upon men that are naught, especially at the hour of death, in affliction and in distress it speaks no comfort to them, but causeth them to despair, rage and storm. Nay profane men when they are at the best, they rage and storm at the direction of the sun, because it discovers to them that which they would not have known.