A12190:825
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. 3 This should teach and direct us also in all things to look up to God in all use of means, Lord I may read, hear, and use helps and means long enough to little or no purpose, unless thou give a blessing,1 Paul may plant and Apollo may water, but if thou give not fruit from Heaven, all is to no purpose. We forget ⟨p. 410⟩this, and therefore prosper accordingly. We think we can work fruit out of the means by our own wit, Oh! It is not so, whatsoever is comfortable or gracious in the use of means, it is merely by Gods blessing. And therefore seeing all our fruit whatsoever that is good comes from God, let it stir us up to practise the spiritual worship of God, to adore God, to beg of his fullness in Christ Jesus: and likewise to resign our selves in all conditions unto him, Lord I put my self upon thee, all my fruit is from thee, thou canst sanctify any condition unto me. This adoration and resignation, are parts of the spiritual worship of God. And likewise the service of the Lord in fear and reverence, that inward service of the Spirit, all depends upon this, that all our fruit is from God▪ therefore I must serve him, and serve him as he must be served in Spirit and Truth. What makes a man reverence another?2 I depend upon him, without him J sink, will this make a man serve man? and will it not make us serve God, and serve him with fear? what breeds an awful fear? this that if he withdraw his influence, I fall into sin, despair, and discomfort: so that the ground of all fear of God, and service springing from this fear, it is from hence, that from him all my fruit, all my grace, and comfort is found, therefore I must have grace to serve him, as a God in fear. For if the soul be not possest and seasoned with this heavenly doctrine, that all comes from him, then ⟨p. 411⟩surely where is Gods service? what becomes of it? where is that adoration, and magnifying of God in our hearts? where's that putting off our selves upon him in all conditions?
Vse. 3 This should teach and direct us also in all things to looke up to God in all use of meanes, Lord I may reade, heare, and use helps and meanes long enough to little or no purpose, unlesse thou give a blessing,