A12190:929
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.
Again, in the second place, the necessity of it appears hence that there must be first spiritual life in the inward man, ere a man can walk. Because there will nor else be a harmony and correspondency betwixt a man and his ways. A man will not hold in those ways that he hath an Antipathy too: therefore his nature must be altered by a higher principle, before ⟨p. 462⟩he can like and delight in the ways of God. This is that which Gods children desire first of God, that he would alter their natures, enlighten, change and quicken them, work strongly and powerfully in them, that they may have a Sympathy and liking unto all that is good, first they are just and then they walk in Gods ways.
Againe, in the second place, the necessity of it appeares hence that there must be first spirituall life in the inward man, ere a man can walke. Because there will nor else be a harmony and correspondency betwixt a man and his wayes. A man will not hold in those wayes that hee hath an Antipathy too: therefore his nature must be altered by a higher principle, before ⟨p. 462⟩he can like and delight in the wayes of God. This is that which Gods children desire first of God, that he would alter their natures, inlighten, change and quicken them, worke strongly and powerfully in them, that they may have a Sympathy and liking unto all that is good, first they are just and then they walke in Gods wayes.
The just shall walk in them.
The just shall walke in them.
Observ. In the next place, we may observe hence, That a just man, he being the prudent and wise man, he walks in Gods ways. That is spiritual wisdom and prudence, together with Grace, Righteousness and Justice, they lead to walking in Obedience. Let no man therefore talk of grace and wisdom or prudence altering him, further then he makes it good by his walking. He that is just walks as a just man; he that is wise, walks wisely, he that is prudent, walks prudently. Which is spoken to discover Hypocrisy in men, that would be thought to be good Christians and wise men, because they have a great deal of speculative knowledge. I but look we to our ways, let them show whether we be wise or foolish, just or unjust: If a man be wise,