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…

But yet further, God saith, I will have mercy upon the house of Judah. Here is another note very observable, & much concerning our present condition too. God promiseth to Judah mercy, after Israels rejection; yet if we search the Scriptures we shall find that after this promise both before the rejection of Israel was executed, and after the execution thereof; I say, we shall find that even Judah was under very sore afflictions, and a sad condition she was put into after this promise was made. As if you will turn but to that Scripture (for we must look to one Scripture and compare it with another.¹ 2 Chron, 28. 6. you shall see there the Text saith, that Pekah the Son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day: We never heard of such a battle, such a slaughter, we wonder when we hear of five or ten thousand slain in the field, here we have 120000. slain, and this was after this promise that this slaughter was made: yea & further, [ver. 8.] There were besides carried captives 200000. women, sons, and daughters. yea further, [ver. 17] The Edomites came and had smitten some of Judah, and carried away captives. And [ver. 18.] The Philistines had invaded the Cities of the Low-country, and of the south of Judah, and they dwelt there: And ver. 19.] it is said, the Lord brought Judah low, And [ver. 20.] it is said that Tilgath-Pilneser King of Assyria, whom Ahas had sent to help him, he came & distressed them, but strengthened them not. Here was Pekah the son of Remaliah slays 120000, and carries away captive 200000. then there comes the Philistines and they invaded the country, and then the Edomites they carried away Captives, and God bringeth them low, and then comes Tilgath-Pilneser, and he instead of helping, distressed them. What a case were they in now? yet this was after this promise, for this promise was made to Judah in the beginning of Hosea's Prophecy, for it is ver. 2. The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea, and it was before the rejection of Israel, for it was in the reign of Ahas that Judah was brought into this low ⟨p. 53⟩condition, which was about 22. years before the execution of the sentence against Israel, for that was fulfilled in the sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah, which (if you take it from the beginning of the reign of Ahaz, who reigned 16. years) make 22. years.