A77979:782
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of the prophesy of Hosea· Being first delivered in several lectures at Michaels Cornhill London. By Jeremiah Burroughs. Being the fifth book, published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simson William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of the prophesy of Hosea· Being first delivered in several lectures at Michaels Cornhil London. By Jeremiah Burroughs. Being the fifth book, published by Thomas Goodwyn, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simson William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.
London: printed for Peter Cole, 1650
Title page typeset from the transcription.
AN EXPOSITION Of the PROPHESY of HOSEA. › Chapter 5 › Verse 4
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.
To turn unto God as a God in covenant with us; as a God in whom is our portion and happiness; as a God willing to be reconciled. Here indeed is the very formality of repentance. A man may by the terrors of the Law turn from the practice of a sin, not to live wickedly so as he hath don heretofore; he may by the strength of natural conscience and self ends, set upon good duties, but here is no true repentance. True repentance is this, When we look upon God as a God tendering Himself unto us in the way of a covenant in Christ, and so we turn unto Him. In Jer. 3.22.1 Return ye back-sliding Israel (saith the Lord) and I will heal your back-sliding. Now mark the answer of true penitents; Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. Here is true repentance. When God shall call upon a sinner, O wretched vile sinner, return, O return unto the Lord, for He is willing to be your God in an everlasting covenant, He manifesteth His grace toward you in His Son, and offereth mercy there, yea He is willing to heal all your backslidings, He is willing to be your portion, He i• willing to be the happiness of your souls: When a sinner shall answer unto this call of God, Behold we come unto Thee, for Thou art the Lord our God; True indeed, we have sought after vanity, but here ⟨p. 386⟩is not our happiness and our portion; Our good, our happiness is in Thee; We come unto Thee the Lord our God. It follows.
To turn unto God as a God in covenant with us; as a God in whom is our portion and happiness; as a God willing to be reconciled. Here indeed is the very formality of repentance. A man may by the terors of the Law turn from the practice of a sin, not to live wickedly so as he hath don heretofore; he may by the strength of natural conscience and self ends, set upon good duties, but here is no true repentance. True repentance is this, When we look upon God as a God tendring Himself unto us in the way of a covenant in Christ, and so we turn unto Him. In Jer. 3.22.1