A69234:1024
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.
The last sin laid to the Israelites charge is Adultery, with which filthiness this land was never so much defiled 1as in these times, so that, if we could plead not guilty in respect of the former crimes, yet this sin of uncleanness were sufficient in it self alone, to cause this land in Gods just wrath, to vomit out her inhabitants, who have thus wickedly 2defiled it. For to say nothing of the inward uncleanness of the heart, of which the Lord alone and mens consciences are the witnesses and judges; How many are there whose whoredoms are written in their for-heads, and who carry their adultery, between their breasts? How many are there who commit the adultery of the tongue, whilst they take their chief delight in ribald and obscene speeches, rotten and filthy communication? How many is there who commit the adultery of the ear, whilst with pleasing delight they attentively listen to bawdy jests, and are never merrier then when they are in the company of filthy ribalds? how many commit the adultery of the eyes, whilst they are so far from making with Job a covenant with their eyes, that they 3will not lasciviously look upon a woman, that they purposely open them that they may take full view of obscene objects, and frequent those places where they may most glut their adulterous eyes with wanton spectacles? How many openly profess their inward uncleanness of heart, by their immodest attire, wanton & effeminate apparel, and by laying open to the common view their naked breasts, as though it were a bill affixed to the door post, to signify to the passers by, that within that place dwelleth an unclean hart, & that whosoever will may there buy honesty & chastity at an easy rate? Yea how many are there in this land, who give themselves over to all manner of uncleanness and adultery ⟨p. 106⟩in the highest degree, spending both their strength and whole estates upon filthy harlots, even till they rot with loathsome diseases, and have brought themselves to utter beggary? The which adulterous filthiness the more reigneth, because the Magistrates do (if not altogether wink at it) yet so slightly punish it, as though they jumped with the Papists in judgement, that it is but a venial sin, which may be well tolerated;