A12190:800
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.
Use. 1 Now what Use should we make of this? will God be a shadow to his people to keep ⟨p. 394⟩them from all evil, as his promise was to Abraham in the covenant of grace:1 I will be thy buckler to keep ill from thee;2 and thy exceeding great reward. And in the Psalms, God promiseth to be a Sun for good, and a shield to keep off all ill. Will God bestow good and keep off ill from us? then labour to come willingly under the shadow of the Almighty, to serve him, and to make God in covenant our God, that he may be a shield and a hiding place, unto us, and a shadow in all extremities whatsoever. Those that attend upon great persons, they do it upon this hope: O! if I belong to such a great person, he will shelter me, that every base person shall not wrong me; I shall now have some prerogatives. Doth carnal policy teach poor creatures who are subject to abuse it, to get some shelter of great noble Men to be privileged, and shall not spiritual wisdom teach us to get under the great God, under the shadow of his wings? none can come near to annoy us without his special will and leave, as in the story of Job, The Devil durst not annoy him,3 nor enter into the Swine, much less hurt Gods children, shall we not therefore get under the service of our God, can any man shelter us better? there is no service to that of a King, but is there any service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? will he suffer his children to be abused in his own sight, or his followers disgraced? surely no, therefore make this use of it, to get into the service of ⟨p. 395⟩the great God, which is a rich, secure, and safe service.
Vse. 1 Now what Use should we make of this? will God be a shadow to his people to keepe ⟨p. 394⟩them from all evill, as his promise was to Abraham in the covenant of grace:1