A69234:1112
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 use of this doctrine serveth to teach us in what a miserable estate such a people are, who content themselves to live in ignorance, whether they want the means of knowledge, or having them do neglect and contemn them, seeing they live in their sins, without any hope to attain unto salvation, or to escape destruction. Those that want the means cannot be excused, if they do not labour after them, seeing Christ hath taught us, that this one thing is most necessary, 1and more to be desired then our bodily food: in the obtaining whereof whosoever employ themselves, they are preferred before such as give worldly entertainment to Christ himself, as appeareth, Luk. 10. 39 40. 41. 42. That 2it is of greater value then all worldly wealth, and therefore if we want it, we are rather to sell all we have, to purchase this precious pearl, then to be without it. Whereas these 3men esteem this unvaluable jewel, of all other things least necessary, and will not part with the least worldly benefit for the obtaining of it. But much more do those offend, and accordingly shall more fearfully be punished, who having the means of knowledge, the preaching of the Gospel, do neglect and contemn it, who walk in the dark ways of ignorance, because they wilfully shut their eyes when the bright light of the Gospel shineth unto them, and continue ⟨p. 144⟩destitute of knowledge, because they stop their ears, not vouchsafing to hear instruction: and yet in the mean time these men have a strong conceit, that they shall attain unto salvation: as though the way to heaven were so direct and straight, that they could easily find it, though they go blind-fold, and not so much as desire a guide: quite contrary to the whole course of Scripture, wherein the Lord hath taught us, that his will is, that those who shall be saved, shall also come to the knowledge of his truth. 1 Tim. 2. 4. 4That it is the only means to attain unto life eternal, to know God and his son Jesus Christ.