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…

Thus it comes in now, because the Lord by the Prophet would answer an objection of the people. They might have said thus, What Hosea, do you thus threaten judgement, the destruction of Israel? why, you promise mercy to Judah, and Judah is but a handful to us, we are the ten Tribes, & with us are the chief, the greatest part, almost all the seed of Abraham, and yet you threaten our destruction, it can never possibly be: What will become of Gods promise then? Did not God promise Abraham, that his seed should be as the stars of heaven, & as the sand on the sea shore? you seem to go cross to God, God saith that he would multiply that seed, and you take a course to make men believe that the seed of Abraham should be brought into a narrow compass and be nothing. Thus doubtless they were ready to plead against the Prophet. The Prophet answereth thus.

Thus it comes in now, because the Lord by the Prophet would answer an objection of the people. They might have said thus, What Hosea, doe you thus threaten judgement, the destruction of Israel? why, you promise mercy to Judah, and Judah is but a handful to us, we are the ten Tribes, & with us are the chiefe, the greatest part, almost all the seed of Abraham, and yet you threaten our destruction, it can never possibly be: What will become of Gods promise then? Did not God promise Abraham, that his seed should be as the stars of heaven, & as the sand on the sea shore? you seeme to goe crosse to God, God saith that he would multiply that seed, and you take a course to make men beleeve that the seed of Abraham should bee brought into a narrow compasse and be nothing. Thus doubtless they were ready to pleade against the Prophet. The Prophet answereth thus.

What do you say, what will become of Abraham's seed? Know that God can tell how to provide for his Church and fulfil his promise made to Abraham whatsoever becomes of you, for you are mistaken in thinking you alone are the seed of Abraham; for you shall know that Abraham hath not only a carnal but a spiritual seed; all those that shall come to join in the faith of Abraham, and subject themselves to the God of Abraham, they shall be the seed of Abraham, and so they shall be the children of Israel as well as you, and thus God will make good his word. And so the Apostle,