A69234:117
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.
Whereby it appeareth, that those blind guides, and dumb Ministers which in these times abound, were not sent of God: for if an earthly Prince will not make choice of an ignorant and speechless Ambassador, much less will God, infinitely wise, make choice of such messengers; especially considering that he is in himself able to furnish any whom he sendeth, with sufficiency of gifts fit for that calling unto which he calleth them.
Whereby it appeareth, that those blinde guides, and dumbe Ministers which in these times abound, were not sent of God: for if an earthly Prince will not make choyce of an ignorant and speechlesse Ambassadour, much lesse will God, infinitely wise, make choyce of such messengers; especially considering that hee is in himselfe able to furnish any whom he sendeth, with sufficiency of gifts fit for that calling vnto which he calleth them.
Secondly, we may observe, that the Prophet doth not enter into the work of his Calling, before he is after a special 1manner sent from God, although he was furnished with gifts, and had his mind illuminated by the Lord, speaking to him and in him. From whence we learn, that we are not to thrust our selves into this Calling, though we had great knowledge and learning, unless we be first called and sent by God; which extraordinarily was done by God himself to the Prophets and Apostles immediately; and ordinarily, by the Church, or those which by the Churches consent are ⟨p. 29⟩appointed for this purpose. For though Christ had instructed his Apostles, yet they preach not till he sendeth them. Matth. 10. 5. Though John the Baptist was strong in the spirit, 2yet he remained in the wilderness as a private man, till the appointed time came that he should show himself unto Israel.