A12190:850
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.
Reason. Most men we see live by sense, will, and passion, and not by Faith, whereby they enthral the wisdom they have, and make it prisoner to sinful passions and affections, rejecting thoughts of their own future happiness: and though it behoove them in this world to be broken of their will: yet they will have it here, though they perish and be damned for it hereafter. This is the state of the unbroken heart of man till he have grace in him. Yea it is the state of all men, especially those that are puffed up, either by their own place, humour, or the flattery of others, they will have their will: Mens mihi pro Regno, as one said. Now this being the proud poysonfull nature of man, we must not think it a strange thing, that there are so few wise and prudent: for a man cannot be wise and passionate, for his passion transforms him to be a beast, a Devil. Now because most men live by sense and by humour, which is a life they are nuzzled in (especially those that ⟨p. 427⟩are subject to flatterers) therefore few come to be truly wise and prudent, to have so much steadiness and sobriety of spirit, as to deliberate what is to be done. They will not in cold blood give leisure to their humours (but feed them) to consider what is best. This being the humour of the world, no wonder that there be so few prudent and wise.
Reason. Most men we see live by sense, will, and passion, and not by Faith, whereby they inthrall the wisdome they have, and make it prisoner to sinnefull passions and affections, rejecting thoughts of their owne future happinesse: and though it behoove them in this world to bee broken of their will: yet they will have it here, though they perish and be damned for it hereafter. This is the state of the unbroken heart of man till he have grace in him. Yea it is the state of all men, especially those that are puft up, either by their owne place, humour, or the flattery of others, they will have their will: Mens mihi pro Regno, as one said. Now this being the proud poysonfull nature of man, we must not thinke it a strange thing, that there are so few wise and prudent: for a man cannot be wise and passionate, for his passion transformes him to be a beast, a Divell. Now because most men live by sense and by humour, which is a life they are nuzled in (especially those that ⟨p. 427⟩are subject to flatterers) therefore few come to be truely wise and prudent, to have so much stedinesse and sobriety of spirit, as to deliberate what is to be done. They will not in cold blood give leisure to their humors (but feed them) to consider what is best. This being the humor of the world, no wonder that there be so few prudent and wise.