A69234:1102
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 punishment it self is, that God would refuse them, and not suffer them to be his Priests. They could be content to bear the title, and have the honour, and receive the benefit of Gods Priests, and serve God with a mess of ceremonies and sacrifices, because these things required small labour, and brought great profit, so they might neglect the main duty of all, namely, the informing themselves in the knowledge of God and his truth, and the teaching and instructing of the people But the Lord telleth them, that by no means he would suffer these to be severed; and therefore seeing they had refused the main and essential duty of the Priesthood, he would refuse them for being any longer his Priests; if they would not take the pains, he would restrain them of the gains; if they would not bear the burden, he would pull from them the honour and reward. So that no knowledge, no Priests to him.
The punishment it selfe is, that God would refuse them, and not suffer them to be his Priests. They could be content to beare the title, and haue the honour, and receiue the benefit of Gods Priests, and serue God with a messe of ceremonies and sacrifices, because these things required small labour, and brought great profit, so they might neglect the maine duety of all, namely, the informing themselues in the knowledge of God and his truth, and the teaching and instructing of the people But the Lord telleth them, that by no meanes hee would suffer these to be seuered; and therefore seeing they had refused the maine and essentiall duety of the Priesthood, he would refuse them for being any longer his Priests; if they would not take the paines, hee would restraine them of the gaines; if they would not beare the burthen, hee would pull from them the honour and reward. So that no knowledge, no Priests to him.
Where we are further to observe a singular Emphasis in the words, for first the Verb here used, which is translated, I will refuse thee, is in an unusual form, having [Greek or Hebrew] extraordinarily added before the affix: by which increase of the word, the Lord would intend the signification: namely, that he would not after an usual manner refuse them, but with great contempt and reproach. Secondly, whereas he saith, I will refuse thee, and thou shalt be no Priest to me; he implieth, that howsoever they were allowed as Priests by men, namely, by the Prince, state & people, yet wanting knowledge he would disavow them; howsoever they suffered them to perform outward service in the Church, in the Ceremonies and Sacrifices, yet they should not execute the office of the Priesthood unto him; neither would he respect any thing they did, seeing they were ignorant and neglected the main duty of teaching the people. Though therefore they were the princes Priests, yet they should be none of his; though they served the peoples turn, and were fit Priests for their devotions, yet he would make no account of their service, which was joined with ignorance, and consequently not performed in spirit and truth.