An exposition of the prophecy of Hosea begun in divers lectures upon the first…An exposition of the prophesie of Hosea begun in divers lectures vpon the first…

This is to come with a naked heart indeed before the Lord.

Were it not better that we should be willing to strip our selves naked, then that God should do it by violence, that God should send Soldiers into our houses to strip us naked, as they have dealt with our brethren in Ireland? they took not away their estates only, but all their clothes, and sent them in droves as naked as ever they were borne. We know we have deserved the like. If you will not strip your selves of your super ••uities, God may justly by them strip you naked as ever you were born; and not only bring you into the same condition you were in, but into a far worse, for so he threateneth in that 28. Deut. You shall not only be carried back again into Egypt, but there you shall be sold for bond•men, and no man shall buy you; they should be in a worse condition the when they were first in Egypt. So if there be any of you that are willing to sell your consciences in hope of preferment; Oh the other side may get power and prevail, and so out of hope to be, preferred, to sell your consciences, you may be disappointed, not only be brought into as ill but into a far worse condition; & perhaps ⟨p. 188⟩though you would have sold your selves, yet no body will buy you; if the Papists corn to have the power of your bodies and estates, you may miss of that preferment that you think of. So saith Ezra, Chap. 9. 14. after he had spoken of Gods mercy in giving them liberty, and remitting their captivity, Shall we (saith he) yet continue in sin, & break the commandments of the Lord, would he not be angry with us till we were utterly destroyed?

Were it not better that we should be willing to strip our selves naked, then that God should doe it by violenee, that God should send Souldiers into our houses to strip us naked, as they have dealt with our brethren in Ireland? they took not away their estates onely, but all their clothes, and sent them in droves as naked as ever they were borne. VVee know wee have deserved the like. If you will not strip your selves of your super uities, God may justly by them strip you naked as ever you were born; and not onely bring you into the same condition you were in, but into a far worse, for so he threatneth in that 28. Deut. You shall not onely be carryed backe againe into Egypt, but there you shall be sold for bondmen, and no man shall buy you; they should be in a worse condition the when they were first in Egypt. So if there be any of you that are willing to sell your consciences in hope of preferment; Oh the other side may get power and prevaile, and so out of hope to be, preferred, to sell your consciences, you may be disappointed, not only be brought into as ill but into a far worse condition; & perhaps