A12190:922
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.
And what is the disposition of these some?1 to have a countermotion to those of the times and places they live in. Some are foolish, not caring for the ways of God, cavilling at them. But the just shall walk in them; that is, they take a contrary course to the world that slights wisdom. Thus in all times it is the disposition of Gods children to go contrary to the world in the greatest matters of all. They indeed hold ⟨p. 458⟩correspondency in outward things, but for the main, they have a contrary motion. As we say of the Planets, that they have a motion contrary to the wrapped motion, being carried and hurried about every twenty four hours with the motion of the Heavens: they have an other motion and circuit of their own which they pass also. So it is with Gods people, though in their common carriage they be carried with the common customs and fashions of the times: yet they have a contrary motion of their own, whereby being carried by the help of Gods Spirit they go on in a way to Heaven though the world discern it not, they have a secret contrary motion opposite to the sins and corruptions of the age and times they live in. Therefore in all ages it is observed for a commendation to go on in a contrary course to the present times.2 Noah in his time, Lot in his time, and Paul in his time, who complains All men seek their own: 3it is a strange thing that Paul should complain of all men seeking their own, even then when the blood of Christ was so warm, being so lately shed, and the Gospel so spread: yet all men seek their own. And he speaks it with tears, but what became of Paul and Timothy and the rest?4 But our conversation is in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, &c. Let all men seek their own here below as they will, we have our conversation contrary to the world. Our conversation is in Heaven, &c. So that they ⟨p. 459⟩hold out Gods Truth in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, that is when every man takes crooked ways and courses in carnal policy, yet there are a company that notwithstanding walk in the right ways of God clean contrary to others. The just will walk in the right ways of God. As holy Joshua said, Choose you what you will do,