A12190:846
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.
In the words therefore (in regard of the speaker, the Prophet) we may observe this ere we come particularly to them: the character of a holy, merciful, gracious, and wise man, that when he hath spoken things to excellent purpose, he would not have those things lost, but out of mercy and compassion mingled with ⟨p. 425⟩a great deal of heavenly wisdom, would have the best fruit of all he hath spoken. Which was the custom of the men of God in the Scriptures, the Spirit of God leading them to strike the nail home, when they taught truths to lay the word close upon the conscience, as much as they could. What is the whole book of Deuteronomy, as the word signifieth, but a repeating of the former laws? Moses thought all to no purpose, unless he repeated laws, and fastened them upon the soul: so our Saviour Christ still when he had spoken excellent things, saith, Let him that hath ears to hear, hear. So saith Jeremiah, 1who is wise to consider these things? and the conclusion of that excellent 107. Psalm, is just thus, who is wise to consider these things? and Deuter. 32. saith Moses, O that they were wise, that they would think of these things, &c. So every wherein Scripture you have such fastening of things where truths have been spoken in application of them: which doth justify the course of Gods Messengers in bringing the Word home unto mens consciences, because that which is spoken loosely in general, no man applieth in particular to himself, we who are messengers of God, must therefore bring things home to the conscience: who is wise and he shall understand these things, &c.
Jn the words therefore (in regard of the speaker, the Prophet) we may observe this ere we come particularly to them: the character of a holy, mercifull, gratious, and wiseman, that when he hath spoken things to excellent purpose, he would not have those things lost, but out of mercy and compassion mingled with ⟨p. 425⟩a great deale of heavenly wisdome, would have the best fruit of all he hath spoken. Which was the custome of the men of God in the Scriptures, the Spirit of God leading them to strike the naile home, when they taught truths to lay the word close upon the conscience, as much as they could. What is the whole book of Deutrenomie, as the word signifieth, but a repeating of the former lawes? Moses thought all to no purpose, unlesse he repeated lawes, and fastned them upon the soule: so our Saviour Christ still when he had spoken excellent things, saith, Let him that hath eares to heare, heare. So saith Ieremy,