A69234:1223
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.
And this is the meaning of the words: the doctrines 1which arise out of them are these. First, we may observe Gods upright and unpartial proceeding in the administration and execution of his judgements and punishments, whereby without any respect or acceptation of persons, callings, or degree, he rendereth unto every one according to their deserts, as in this place, howsoever the Priests far excelled the common people, in place, dignity, and authority, yet because they were a like sinful, he putteth no difference between them in their punishments. When the whole world rebelled against him, without any respect of persons, state, or condition, he over▪whelmed them all with a general deluge. When Pharaoh resisted his commandment, he found no more favour then the basest of his people. When Nebuchadnezzar would needs be his rival in his glory, it was not his Monarchy could keep him from feeding and lodging amongst the brute beasts. All Ahab's royalty power and authority, could not privilege neither him nor Jezebel from having their blood licked by the dogs. In a word there was never any so great and mighty who had any favour at Gods hand for their power and mightiness, but if they as grievously sinned, they also were as grievously punished, as the poorest and most abject. The curse of the law is denounced indifferently against all who transgress it, Deut. 27. 26. Tophet is prepared of old, not only for poor 2wicked men but also for the wicked King, Isaiah. 30. 33. And without all respect of persons the soul that sinneth must dye. Ezech. 18. 20. The reason is because they are all alike the workmanship of his hands; and therefore as the potter is no ⟨p. 196⟩more beholding to his pots which are more curiously wrought, then to those which are made for the basest use; so the Lord is no more bound to men of greatest dignity, then to those of meanest condition, seeing all are his creatures, alike, and what they have, they have received from him. This reason Elihu rendereth, he accepteth not (saith he) the person of Princes, and regardeth not the rich more then the poor, for they be all the work of his hands.