A12190:840
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.
These words seal up the whole Prophecy, for the Prophet immediately before prophesying of the captivity, discovers to them at length their sins as we heard their Idolatry, adding new Idols to their former Idols, Baal to ⟨p. 422⟩the Calves, the Princes removed the bounds, (old orders and laws) the Prophets they were fools and did not see the judgements of God hanging over their heads; and none of them all could see their grey-hairs, that is, the signs of their own ruin. After which out of a Christian love, care, and conscience of his duty, by direction of the Spirit of God, he prescribes an excellent way how they should carry themselves, by returning to the Lord, take words unto your selves, renounce all false confidence in Ashur, and all domestic helps at home, horses and the like, and fly to God as your best Sanctuary. Then he shows what God will do to them, answer all the desires he had put into their hearts: I will heal their Backslidings and love them freely, &c.
THese wordes seale up the whole Prophecy, for the Prophet immediately before prophecying of the captivity, discovers to them at length their sinnes as we heard their Idolatry, adding new Idols to their former Idols, Baall to ⟨p. 422⟩the Calves, the Princes remooved the bounds, (old orders and lawes) the Prophets they were fooles and did not see the judgements of God hanging over their heads; and none of them all could see their gray-haires, that is, the signes of their owne ruine. After which out of a Christian love, care, and conscience of his duty, by direction of the Spirit of God, hee prescribes an excellent way how they should carry themselves, by returning to the Lord, take words unto your selves, renounce all false confidence in Ashur, and all domesticke helps at home, horses and the like, and flye to God as your best Sanctuarie. Then hee shewes what God will doe to them, answer all the desires he had put into their hearts: I will heale their Backeslidings and love them freely, &c.
Now because these were great matters of great consequence, to make them either happy in the observing them, or miserable in neglecting them, you see how he shuts up all in a most weighty close: Who is wise and he shall understand these things, prudent and he shall know them, for the ways of the Lord are equal, &c.