A69234:1200
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.
To conclude all in a short sum, the sins whereof the Priests are here accused are, that they gave themselves to idleness and belly-cheer, and turned the Sacrifices into a pray, wherewith they pampered themselves; and to the end that they might receive these oblations in more abundance, they winked at the peoples sins, never admonishing nor rebuking them for them, but rather desired they should sin that they might offer the more Sacrifices: possessing them with this conceit, that God required no more, but that having sinned, they should by their oblations make satisfaction. Whereby they encouraged them unto wickedness, seeing having satisfied their lusts by committing sin, there was no more to be done for expiation, but to bring new sacrifices, & so they might again renew their sins, as oft as they pleased, so they would also renew their sacrifices and oblations.
To conclude all in a short summe, the sinnes whereof the Priests are here accused are, that they gaue themselues to idlenesse and belly-cheare, and turned the Sacrifices into a pray, wherewith they pampred themselues; and to the end that they might receiue these oblations in more abundance, they wincked at the peoples sinnes, neuer admonishing nor rebuking them for them, but rather desired they should sin that they might offer the more Sacrifices: possessing them with this conceipt, that God required no more, but that hauing sinned, they should by their oblations make satisfaction. Wherby they incouraged them vnto wickednesse, seeing hauing satisfied their lusts by committing sin, there was no more to be done for expiation, but to bring new sacrifices, & so they might againe renew their sins, as oft as they pleased, so they would also renew their sacrifices and oblations.
And this is the meaning of the words: the doctrines to The doctrines. be observed out of them are these. First, we may note, that 1the Lord condemneth it as a great sin, when a man seizeth upon the profits which belong unto his calling, & spendeth them in luxuriousness and belly-cheer, in the mean time utterly neglecting the duties of his calling, for this was the sin of the Priests in this place. The reason hereof is. First, because where the reward and profit of the calling is given upon condition of the performance of the duties of the calling, there if the duties be neglected, and the profits received, it is esteemed no better then theft in Gods sight, because they are usurped without any right, seeing they are not granted absolutely, but upon condition of the duty which is neglected: as if the soldier receiving pay from his prince, do spend it upon his lusts, and is never ready to fight against his enemies; and the servant wages from his master and never perform any service unto him.