A12190:930
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 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, 1he is wise for himself, (as Solomon saith) to direct his own ways. The wisdom of the wise is to understand his own way that he is to walk in. If a man have not wisdom to direct his way in particular to walk to Heaven-ward, he is but a fool. For a man to know so much as shall condemn him and be a witness ⟨p. 463⟩against him and yet not know so much as to save him, what a miserable thing is this? Now all other men that know much and walk not answerable, they know so much as to condemn them and not to save them. Our Saviour Christ he calleth such, foolish builders, 2that know and will not do: so unless there be a walking answerable to the Wisdom and Prudence prescribed, a man is but a foolish man.
Observ. In the next place, wee may observe hence, That a just man, he being the prudent and wise man, he walks in Gods wayes. That is spirituall wisedome and prudence, together with Grace, Righteousnesse and Justice, they leade to walking in Obedience. Let no man therefore talke of grace and wisdome or prudence altering him, further then he makes it good by his walking. He that is just walkes as a just man; hee that is wise, walks wisely, he that is prudent, walks prudently. Which is spoken to discover Hypocrisie in men, that would be thought to be good Christians and wisemen, because they have a great deale of speculative knowledge. I but looke we to our wayes, let them show whether we be wise or foolish, just or unjust: If a man be wise,