A12190:857
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.
To come then in brief to show what this wisdom and prudence is,1 for there is some distinction between wisdom and prudence. Wisdom is a heavenly light set up in the soul by the Spirit of God, whereby it discerneth the general truths concerning God, our selves, the state of the Church, the privileges of Christianity, and such like: in sum it is a right divine apprehension of spiritual truths.
To come then in briefe to shew what this wisedome and prudence is,1 for there is some distinction betweene wisedome and prudence. Wisedome is a heavenly light set up in the soule by the Spirit of God, whereby it discerneth the generall truths concerning God, our selves, the state of the Church, the priviledges of Christianity, and such like: in summe it is a right divine apprehension of spirituall truths.
- 1Definition of heavenly wisdom.Definition of heavenly wisdome.
1And prudence, this is a kind of sharpness of spirit, whereby the Spirit of God directs the soul, knowing the right general principles to particular cases. Prudence is an application of the general knowledge of general things to particulars, and is an ordering of the life in particular exigencies and cases in a right order, according to the direction of the Spirit, as we have it, Prov. 8. I wisdom dwell with prudence. Divine wisdom wheresoever it is dwells with prudence; that is, where God doth enlighten the understanding to conceive aright of the mysteries of salvation, there it dwells with prudence, that is, it directs the soul to an orderly carriage of life towards God and man, and in regard of it self, every way as it should do, in all estates, times and conditions, that is meant here by prudence, a particular gift whereby a man is fit to consult and deliberate of things in particular to be done, in particular cases of conscience and the like. Now wisdom and prudence they are both together in Gods people, howsoever perhaps one is more excellent then another. Some are wiser who have a deeper search of truths in general: and some are more prudent in their ways, that are weaker Christians for the main general truths. Yet there is not a good Christian but he hath so much prudence as will bring him to Heaven. But God giveth extraordinary wisdom to some, because they are leaders of others. Yet though in Gods dispensation there be a difference,