A12190:8
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.
To the Reader.
Good Reader this Treatise begs the favour of those, concerning whom especially it is said Christ came for, poor trembling sinners, the blind, the prisoners of hope, & such who by the assiduity, iteration and multitude of Satan's discouragements & temptations, sit as it were in darkness, & in the valley of death, to whom every sour thing is sweet. Because these most of all relish and stand in need of mercy: for when ⟨image 7⟩the least flame of that unsupportable wrath, breaks forth in show, which is poured out like fire, and kindled by the breath of the Lord of Hosts like a river of brimstone, which can make the mountains quake, the hills melt, burn up the earth and all that is therein, the poor soul for the time thinking on nothing but blackness and darkness of tempest, whilst by past sins, without sight of the Mediator stares them in the face with millions of unconceivable horrors and astonishments; then to see light in darkness, Mercy in wrath, the Sunshine of righteousness, a gracious God appeased by a Mediator, with some sight and sense of ⟨image 7⟩its interest therein, this must needs overjoy the troubled soul: which is the main subject of this book: how gracious God is to encourage miserable sinners to return: what encouragements and helps he gives them: what effects his gracious working hath in them: and how sweetly they close with him again. Wherefore though this mess comes not unto thee set forth in a Lordly dish, not having passed since the preaching thereof, under the exquisite hand of the most worthy Author, yet despise it not: for many times though things of greater judgement affect the understanding most, yet things of lesser conciseness, work