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…

Notwithstanding howsoever the Lord for these and divers ¹other causes deferreth the execution of his just vengeance, yet men abuse this his long-suffering unto sin, either imagining with the Atheist, that he hath not thunderbolts enough to dart against every sinner for every fault, or that there is ⟨p. 200⟩no providence, no justice, no God that regardeth the sins of men: or with the secure Worldling, that they may go on in their sins without repentance, because these punishments which are so long delayed, will never be inflicted; according to that, Eccle. 8. 11. because sentence against an evil work is ²not executed speedily, therefore the hart of the children of men is fully set in them to do evil. An example whereof we have in the evil servant. Mat. 24. 48. who because his master ³deferred his coming, so behaved himself as though he would never come: and in those mockers who because the day of judgement is deferred, therefore walk after their own ⁴lusts; like herein unto foolish thieves, who imagine that because the Judge doth not every day sit upon the judgement seat, therefore they may securely steal, because the Assizes will never come.

Notwithstanding howsoeuer the Lord for these and diuers ¹other causes deferreth the execution of his just vengeance, yet men abuse this his long-suffering vnto sin, either imagining with the Atheist, that he hath not thunderbolts inough to dart against euery sinner for euery fault, or that there is ⟨p. 200⟩no prouidence, no justice, no God that regardeth the sins of men: or with the secure Worldling, that they may go on in their sinnes without repentance, because these punishments which are so long delayed, will neuer be inflicted; according to that,