A12190:946
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.
Take first the help of good company, if we ⟨p. 468⟩see any man to walk in a good way, let him not walk alone, but let us join our selves with those that walk in Gods ways, for why doth God leave us not only his Word to direct us which way to go, but likewise examples in all times, but that we should follow those examples? which are like the Pillar of fire which went before Israel unto Canaan. We have a Cloud and a Pillar of examples before us (unto which he alludes. Hebr. 12.1.) to lead us unto Heaven, not only the Word, but examples in all times.1 Walk as you have us for an example (saith Paul) therefore it is a character of a gracious disposition to join with the just, and those who walk in the ways of God. We see there is in all the creatures an instinct to keep company with their own kind: as we see in Doves, Sheep, Geese and the like. So it comes from a supernatural gracious instinct of grace, for the good to walk and company with the good, helping them on in the way to Heaven. It is therefore a point of special wisdom to single out those for our company who are able to help us thither: as it is for travellers to choose their company to travel with.
Take first the helpe of good company, if vve ⟨p. 468⟩see any man to walke in a good way, let him not walke alone, but let us joyne our selves with those that walke in Gods wayes, for why doth God leave us not onely his Word to direct us which way to goe, but likewise examples in all times, but that we should follow those examples? which are like the Pillar of fire which went before Israel unto Canaan. Wee have a Cloude and a Pillar of examples before us (unto which he alludes. Hebr. 12.1.) to leade us unto Heaven, not onely the Word, but examples in all times.1 Walke as you have us for an example (saith Paul) therefore it is a character of a gratious disposition to joyne with the just, and those who walke in the wayes of God. We see there is in all the creatures an instinct to keepe company with their owne kinde: as we see in Doves, Sheepe, Geese and the like. So it comes from a supernaturall gratious instinct of grace, for the good to walke and company with the good, helping them on in the way to Heaven. It is therefore a point of speciall wisedome to single out those for our company who are able to help us thither: as it is for travellers to choose their company to travell with.