A12190:814
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.
Observ. From a mans self comes nothing that is graciously good.
Observ. From a mans selfe comes nothing that is gratiously good.
Whatsoever is savingly good is altogether from God,1 without me (saith Christ) you can do nothing: S. Paul was wondrous chary of this point, 1 Cor. 15.10. he saith, he laboured more abundantly then they all: yet not I, (he recalls himself) but the grace of God in him that did all: and of my self, as of my self, I cannot so much as think a good thought. It is from God that we have means to make us fruitful, and from the gracious working of his Spirit comes it that they are effectual; that we think a good thought, or open our mouths to speak a good word, it is from Gods Spirit enabling us thereto. Open thou my mouth (saith the Psalmist) and my lips shall show forth thy praise. We ⟨p. 404⟩are tongue-tied, and our lips sealed unless God open them, we cannot speak one savoury seasonable word to further our account; we may speak empty words, but never a word comes from the heart that is gracious and good, but it must be by the Spirit of God. It is he who works all our works in us and for us.2 He begins the good work in us, and perfects it to the day of the Lord, the truth of this is wondrous clear.
Whatsoever is savingly good is altogether from God,1 without mee (saith Christ) you can doe nothing: S. Paul was wondrous charie of this point, 1 Cor. 15.10. he saith, he laboured more abundantly then they all: yet not I, (he recalls himselfe) but the grace of God in him that did all: and of my selfe, as of my selfe, I cannot so much as thinke a good thought. Jt is from God that we have meanes to make us fruitfull, and from the gratious working of his Spirit comes it that they are effectuall; that we think a good thought, or open our mouthes to speake a good word, it is from Gods Spirit inabling us thereto. Open thou my mouth (saith the Psalmist) and my lips shall shew forth thy praise. We