A69234:1205
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 second thing to be observed is, that howsoever these 1Priests did easily remit Gods right, so far forth as it did not concern their own worldly profit, and were so meal mouthed that they durst not speak against the peoples sins, whereby his holy name was dishonoured, yet they would loose none of their own right in their sacrifices and oblations: whence we may discern a notable corruption that is in us, which is our singular partiality in respecting our own cause more then the cause of God: for when the matter ⟨p. 186⟩concerneth him, we are very remiss, cold, and easy to be entreated, but when it concerneth our selves, very earnest hot and inexorable: For example, the Magistrate makes laws for the maintenance of his own right, state, and dignity, and being made doth most straightly execute them, but either he maketh no laws at all to repress those sins which immediately impeach Gods glory, or if their be any made yet he is very remiss in the execution: many Ministers are very slack and timorous in rebuking of sin, for fear of displeasing their parishioners, but if any part of their own right or duties, be with-held from them, they show themselves bold and resolute for the recovery of it, though it be with the displeasure of the greatest; many masters suffer their servants to use swearing and blasphemy, pretending they are so unruly that they can bear no sway with them, neither with their persuasions nor rebukes, but if they offer unto them any wrong or damage, then they show themselves men of absolute authority in inflicting upon the offender sharp punishment; so they can easily dispense with their servants for the breaking of the Sabbath, and pass over the matter from themselves, by pretending that they would willingly bring them to the Church, and have them to observe a holy rest, but they are so stubborn and wilful, that they cannot restrain them from their vain and unlawful sports; and yet these men who can bear no rule with their servants on the Lord day, have authority and also use it all the six days of the week, to keep them from these unlawful pastimes, and to make them to follow their worldly business;
The second thing to be obserued is, that howsoeuer these 1Priests did easily remit Gods right, so farre forth as it did not concerne their owne worldly profit, and were so meale mouthed that they durst not speake against the peoples sinnes, whereby his holy name was dishonoured, yet they would loose none of their owne right in their sacrifices and oblations: whence vve may discerne a notable corruption that is in vs, which is our singular partiality in respecting our own cause more then the cause of God: for when the matter