A12190:921
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.
God will have it thus, even in the worst times, that the just shall walk in them: though before he saith, Who is wise and who is prudent? yet here he shows that there shall be a number who shall walk in Gods ways. Who though they go to Heaven alone, yet to Heaven they will though they have but a few that walk in Gods ways with them, they will rather go ⟨p. 457⟩with a few that way, then with the wicked in the broad way to Hell: alway God hath some who shall walk in his way: for if there were not some alway who were good, the Earth would not stand, for good men they are the Pillars of the world who uphold it. It is not for wicked mens sake that God upholds the frame of the creatures, and that orderly government, we see all is to gather together the number of his elect, of whom in some ages there are more and in some less of them borne, thereafter as God breathes and blows with his Spirit. For according to the abundant working of the Spirit, is the number of the elect. Yet in all ages there are some, because it is an Article of our Faith, to believe a holy Catholic Church. Now it cannot be an article of Faith unless there were alway some that made this Catholic Church: for else there should be an act of Faith without an object. Therefore we may always say; I believe that there are a number of elect people that walk in the ways of God to Heaven-wards.
God will have it thus, even in the worst times, that the just shall walke in them: though before he saith, Who is wise and who is prudent? yet here he shewes that there shall be a number who shall walke in Gods wayes. Who though they goe to Heaven alone, yet to Heaven they will though they have but a few that walke in Gods wayes with them, they will rather goe ⟨p. 457⟩with a few that way, then with the wicked in the broad way to Hell: alway God hath some who shall walke in his way: for if there were not some alway who were good, the Earth would not stand, for good men they are the Pillars of the world who uphold it. It is not for wicked mens sake that God upholds the frame of the creatures, and that orderly government, we see all is to gather together the number of his elect, of whom in some ages there are more and in some lesse of them borne, thereafter as God breathes and blowes with his Spirit. For according to the abundant working of the Spirit, is the number of the elect. Yet in all ages there are some, because it is an Article of our Faith, to believe a holy Catholicke Church. Now it cannot be an article of Faith unlesse there were alway some that made this Catholike Church: for else there should be an act of Faith without an object. Therefore we may alwayes say; I believe that there are a number of elect people that walke in the wayes of God to Heaven-wards.