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…

How will that appear?¹

How will that appeare?¹

1. 1Quest. Ans.

Thus. For a private man when he sees the truth of God to suffer, certainly if he be an humble and an ingenuous spirit, it cannot but be exceeding grievous unto him to think, that he must contest with such a multitude of able and Godly men,¹ more able then himself, it cannot but be to him a very hard work that God putteth him upon. He would rather a hundred times, if he did look at his own quiet and ease, sit down: For, think he, if I come to speak, then by this I shall be endangered to be accounted self-conceited, I shall have the accusation of pride, I shall displease many of my friends, I shall make a great disturbance in my self, I am sure to my own peace, whatsoever I do to others, and how much bette• were it for me to sit still and be quiet. An humble spirit would reason thus; but only? Conscience puts him upon it; I shall contract guilt to my self, if I be not at least a witness for ⟨p. 156⟩Gods truth, therefore though I shall suffer so much in it, yet rather then the truth shall suffer, rather then conscience shall plead against me, I will plead though never so much to my disadvantage.

Thus. For a private man when he sees the truth of God to suffer, certainly if he be an humble and an ingengous spirit, it cannot but be exceeding grievous unto him to think, that he must contest with such a multitude of able and Godly men,¹