A69234:1008
Lectures upon the four first chapters of the prophecy of Hosea Wherein the text…Lectures vpon the foure first chapters of the prophecie of Hosea Wherein the text…
Lectures upon the four first chapters of the prophecy of Hosea Wherein the text is expounded and cleared, and such profitable instructions observed, and applied, as naturally arise out of this holy Scripture, and are fit for these times. By John Downame Bachelor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods word.Lectures vpon the foure first chapters of the prophecie of Hosea Wherein the text is exponded and cleered, and such profitable instructions obserued, and applied, as naturally arise out of this holie Scripture, and are fit for these times. By Iohn Dovvname Bacheler in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods word.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston and T. East for William Welby, 1608
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And so much concerning the sin of swearing; the other sin, signified by the same word is cursing, and direful 1imprecations. The which sin also, doth exceedingly reign in this our land, and pulleth down gods heavy judgements upon us: for are men sporting themselves in their pleasures & recreations, if any thing cross them in their delights what Poxes, Plagues and mischiefs, will their accursed cursing mouths thunder out? are they about their worldly affairs & business, if they do not sort according to their desire what direful curses will they utter? if they be by any accident incensed with anger, they have no readier way to ease themselves, then by belching out of their poisonous stomachs, curses and blasphemies; neither is there any thing privileged from this their impious fury: for not only their enemies who have injured or abused them, are thought fit subjects upon whom they may lay their heavy curses, but also their friends who are near and dear unto them, yea what soever cometh next to hand; sometimes they thus reward ⟨p. 98⟩their poor servants for their painful service; sometimes their silly cattle are thus requited, for all the use and benefits which they have by them; yea sometimes the children of their own bowels have these hellish blessings bestowed upon them, and that upon small and trifling occasions; nay such is their senselessness in this sin that they are ready to curse the senseless creatures, and that oftentimes when there is no fault in them, which are only their bare instruments, but in themselves who for want of heed, wit, or providence, could use them no better: but let such cursers know, that the 2curses which they have still in their mouths, shall fall upon their own heads; and that they are but like stones or balls cast against a hard wall, which hurt it not but rebound upon the throwers. Let them remember the saying of the Psalmist. Psal. 109. 17. As he loved cursing, so shall it come unto 3him, and as he loved not blessing so shall it be far from him. 18. As he clothed himself with cursing like a raiment, so shall it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.