A12190:843
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.
Now these are strong and forcible reasons to enforce care and attention of what hath been spoken, it is Wisdom and Prudence, and the ways of the Lord here are straight, and then all godly people walk in them, and those that stumble at them are sure to perish, and do perish in them; not that they are a cause of their perishing, but by reason of the malice of men, finding fault and picking quarrels with them, they fall first into sin, and then into misery, thus we have the scope of the words.
Now these are strong and forcible reasons to inforce care and attention of what hath been spoken, it is Wisdome and Prudence, and the wayes of the Lord here are streight, and then all godly people walke in them, and those that stumble at them are sure to perish, and doe perish in them; not that they are a cause of their perishing, but by reason of the malice of men, finding fault and picking quarrels with them, they fall first into sinne, and then into misery, thus we have the scope of the words.
Who is wise and he shall understand these things.
First of all, we must know that the Prophet here in this figurative speech makes a kind of Exclamation, who is wise? he doth as it were secretly mourn at the Apostasy and fewness of those that be truly wise, as if he had said, I have given you many directions, and showed you what sins lead to destruction, I have showed what course ye are to take, and the bounty of God to those that Return: but, Who is Wise and Prudent to regard these things?
First of all, we must know that the Prophet here in this figurative speech makes a kinde of Exclamation, who is wise? he doth as it were secretly mourne at the Apostacy and fewnesse of those that be truely wise, as if he had said, I have given you many directions, and shewed you what sinnes lead to destruction, I have shewed what course yee are to take, and the bountie of God to those that Returne: but, Who is Wise and Prudent to regard these things?