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 thus much we may gather from these words, The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea, that this was the beginning of his prophecy. And what was this beginning? what did God set him about first? Mark presently the next words, he must take him a wife of whoredoms, and children of whoredoms, and so declare to the people of Israel that they had committed great whoredom departing from the Lord. The most grievous charge, and most severe and terrible expression of Gods wrath against that people that you meet with in all the book of God. This is the work Hosea must do, and Hosea was very young when first he went about it. Now as I told you before, God sometimes calls young ones to great services; but to call a young man to this service, to go to this people with such a message, now in the midst of all their pride and flourish to contest with them thus, & to tell them that they are children of whoredoms, and no longer the people of God, for what? for a young man to do this? Why, they might have said, if this came from the mouth of some old ancient Prophet, reverent for his years, and experience, it had been somewhat; but to come from a green head, for an upstart to upbraid us with such vile things. Thus men grown old, and sodden in their sins,¹ are ready to reason. But let us know (my brethren) if God send any message unto us, though by young ones, he expects your entertainment of it. When God would destroy Eli's house, he sends the message by young Samuel; but Eli did not reason thus, what this young boy come to speak thus malapartly to me! No, he stoops to it, Good is the word of the Lord, saith he.

But yet thus much we may gather from these words, The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea, that this was the beginning of his prophesie. And what was this beginning? what did God set him about first? Mark presently the next words, he must take him a wife of whoredomes, and children of whoredomos, and so declare to the people of Israel that they had committed great whoredome departing from the Lord. The most grievous charge, and most severe and terrible expression of Gods wrath against that people that you meet with in all the book of God. This is the work Hosea must doe, and Hosea was very young when first he went about it. Now as I told you before, God sometimes calls young ones to great services; but to call a young man to this service, to goe to this people with such a message, now in the midst of all their pride and flourish to contest with them thus, & to tel them that they are children of whoredomes, and no longer the people of God, for what? for a young man to do this? Why, they might have said, if this came from the mouth of some old ancient Prophet, reverent for his years, and experience, it had been somewhat; but to come from a green head, for an upstart to upbaid us with such vile things. Thus men grown old, and sodden in their sins,