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…

In the first vers. the Text saith, that all the people gathered themselves together as one man, into the street that was before the water-gate, to desire Ezra to bring the book of the law, and to read it, and to open it unto them. Behold it is thus this day in this place; here are a great company met together, perhaps some to know what the business will be, some for novelty, and some for other ends; howsoever, come unto us you are, and we hope many for this end, that you might have the book of the Law read & opened unto you. Now we expect that from you, which is said of ⟨p. 4⟩them, ver. 3. And the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law, when it was read & opened to them. And truly that attention that you now begin withal, doth promise unto us that we shall have an attentive auditory. But that is not all; let us have further a reverential demeanour and carriage in the hearing of the Law, as it becomes those that have to deal with God in it. The Text saith, vers. 5. that when Ezra opened the book of the Law, all the people stood up. We do not expect the same gesture from you, but by way of Analogy we expect a reverential demeanour in the carriage of he whole work, as knowing we are to sanctify Gods Name in it. And as those people after the first days exercise were so encouraged, that they came again the second day, (for so the Text saith, vers. 13. On the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the Priests and the Levites, unto Ezra, to understand the words of the Law) so (I hope) God will so carry on this work, that you shall find encouragement too, to come again and again, that you may know more of the mind of God; and that this work shall not be only profitable to the younger and weaker sort, but to the Fathers, to the Priests and Levites too.

In the first vers. the Text saith, that all the people gathered themselves together as one man, into the street that was before the water-gate, to desire Ezra to bring the book of the law, and to read it, and to open it unto them. Behold it is thus this day in this place; here are a great company met together, perhaps some to know what the businesse will be, some for novelty, and some for other ends; howsoever, come unto us you are, and we hope many for this end, that you might have the booke of the Law read & opened unto you. Now we expect that from you, which is said of ⟨p. 4⟩