A12190:820
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.
If so be that God and man join in one action, From me is thy fruit found, 1as though he should say, whatsoever thou hast or sayest that is good, it is from me; here we see how and why good works cannot merit, though they come from God, as all goodness doth; yet in regard they come from us too, we add some tainture thereunto from our corrupt nature. What God and Christ himself doth is absolute and perfect, as Justification: but what fruit he works in us, there is somewhat of the old Adam in us, which taints the beauty of the work: it is Gods fruit coming from him, and yet our fruit also coming from us: which being so much tainted should humble us, in that we add nothing to the truth of Gods work in us, but abasement and defilement by our corruptions: From me (saith God) is thy fruit found, so much as is supernaturally good: but because our nature is not altered on the sudden but still ⟨p. 406⟩tastes of the old leaven, therefore there can be no meriting of Salvation by any works we do,2 because they are not perfectly good.
If so be that God and man joyne in one action, From mee is thy fruit found, 1as though he should say, whatsoever thou hast or sayest that is good, it is from me; here we see how and why good workes cannot merit, though they come from God, as all goodnesse doth; yet in regard they come from us too, we add some tainture thereunto from our corrupt nature. What God and Christ himselfe doth is absolute and perfect, as Justification: but what fruit he workes in us, there is somewhat of the old Adam in us, which taints the beauty of the worke: it is Gods fruit comming from him, and yet our fruit also comming from us: which being so much tainted should humble us, in that we adde nothing to the truth of Gods worke in us, but abasement and defilement by our corruptions: From mee (saith God) is thy fruit found, so much as is supernaturally good: but because our nature is not altered on the suddaine but still ⟨p. 406⟩tasts of the old leaven, therefore there can be no meriting of Salvation by any workes we doe,