A69234:1116
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 third thing to be observed is, that as the want of knowledge is a sin in all men, so especially in the Minister, 1whether we understand it of that sufficiency of knowledge which he ought to have in himself, whereby he is enabled to teach the people, or the fruitful use of this knowledge for the instruction of the people; for of him is required, not only the faculty but also the function; not only that he hath knowledge in the brain, but also in his lips; not only that he hath light in himself, but also that he giveth light to others; not only that he know the way to Gods kingdom, but also that he inform those committed to his charge in this way. Here therefore is first condemned the ignorance and insufficiency of the Minister; whereby he is utterly disabled for the performing of his duty in teaching the people, the which is a heinous sin in Gods sight, as may appear by these reasons: first, in that they thrust themselves into this great work of the Ministry being altogether unfurnished of those gifts which should fit them for this function: for above all other things it is required in a Minister that he be fit to teach. 1. Tim. 3. 2. and Tim. 2. 2 but these cannot teach others, being themselves ignorant. 2Gods true ministers are the Light of the world. Math. 5. 14. appointed by God to illuminate those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; Luk. 1. 77. 78. but these men wanting the light of knowledge in themselves, cannot give 3light unto others, and so they sit both together in the shadow of death: if then they who should be the light are darkness how great is that darkness Mat. 6. 23. The minister in the Church is as the eye in the body, and the knowledge ⟨p. 146⟩4