A12190:880
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.
As for the ways of his Providence, in governing the world and ruling of his Church,1 this is the way of God which is right: all which ways though we cannot in all particulars see in this world; yet in Heaven in the light of glory we shall see what cannot now be seen in the light of grace and nature. For there be mysteries in Providence, who can tell the reason why of men equally good, one should be sorely afflicted, and the other should go to Heaven without any affliction in a smooth way? none can give a reason of it, but we must subscribe to the hidden wisdom of God, whose ways are unsearchable in his Providence, yet are they most right, though they be above our conceit. If we could conceive all Gods ways, then they were not Gods ways: for in his ways to us, he will so carry them as he will show himself to be above and beyond our shallow conceits.
As for the wayes of his Providence, in governing the world and ruling of his Church,1 this is the way of God which is right: all which wayes though we cannot in all particulars see in this world; yet in Heaven in the light of glory we shall see what cannot now be seene in the light of grace and nature. For there be misteries in Providence, who can tell the reason why of men equally good, one should bee sorely afflicted, and the other should goe to Heaven without any affliction in a smooth way? none can give a reason of it, but we must subscribe to the hidden wisdome of God, whose wayes are unsearchable in his Providence, yet are they most right, though they be above our conceit. If wee could conceive all Gods wayes, then they were not Gods wayes: for in his wayes to us, he will so carry them as he will shew himselfe to bee above and beyond our shallow conceits.
- 1The ways of his Providence, &c.The wayes of his Providence, &c.