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…

Those that are Godly should not only sacrifice themselves to do good to themselves or friends in private,¹ but they are to labour to do good to the public too. Not only say to your sisters and to your brethren, but plead with your mother. There are many narrow spirited men, who if they can discharge as they think their consciences with their families, and can plead ⟨p. 154⟩with their servants and children, or some of their own near acquaintance perhaps, they have done enough, though for the public they take no care at all.² Hence it is apparently implied, that all those that are members of any Church, ought to be men of knowledge; why? because they are such as are called upon to plead with their Mother. It is not for an ignorant Sot to plead with a Church of God; and yet such should be all the members of every Church,³ as in some cases they should plead with their mother.

Those that are Godly should not onely sacrifice themselves to do good to themselves or friends in private,¹ but they are to labour to doe good to the publique too. Not onely say to your sisters and to your brethren, but pleade with your mother. There are many narrow spirited men, who if they can discharge as they think their consciences with their families, and can plead ⟨p. 154⟩with their servants and children, or some of their own neere acquaintance perhaps, they have done enough, though for the publique they take no care at all.² Hence it is apparently implyed, that all those that are members of any Church, ought to be men of knowledge; why? because they are such as are called upon to plead with their Mother. It is not for an ignorant Sot to plead with a Church of God; and yet such should be all the members of every Church,³