A12190:896
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.
The ways of the Lord are right.
The wayes of the Lord are right.
In the next place, If the ways of the Lord be right and straight, so straight that they lead directly to the right end, then it is clear,
In the next place, If the wayes of the Lord be right and streight, so streight that they leade directly to the right end, then it is cleere,
Observ. That the best way to come to a good and right end is to take Gods ways. For it is a right way, and the right way is always the shortest way. Therefore when men take not Gods ways, prescriptions and courses, they go wide about, and seldom or never come to their intended end. Gods way is the right way, and therefore brings a man to his right end. Sometimes men will have their turnings, their diverticula and vagaries, but they find by experience that Gods ways they are the right ways, so as they never attain to comfort and peace until they come again into those ways. God until then ⟨p. 449⟩suffereth them to be snared and hampered, and to eat the fruit of their own ways, and then they see the difference of Gods ways and theirs, and that Gods ways are the best, and the straitest ways unto true happiness.
Observ. That the best way to come to a good and right end is to take Gods wayes. For it is a right way, and the right way is alwayes the shortest way. Therefore when men take not Gods wayes, prescriptions and courses, they goe wide about, and seldome or never come to their intended end. Gods way is the right way, and therefore brings a man to his right end. Sometimes men will have their turnings, their diverticula and vagaries, but they find by experience that Gods wayes they are the right wayes, so as they never attaine to comfort and peace untill they come againe into those wayes. God untill then