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…

And this is the meaning of the words; the doctrines which The doctrines arise out of them are divers. First, we may generally observe, ¹that howsoever the wicked & ungodly do make sure account by their subtle plots and mischievous practises to accomplish their desires, and to compass what they will, yet the Lord so crosseth them in their evil courses, that they fail in their hopes, and are altogether disappointed in their designs; for either the Lord doth merely frustrate all their labour, in not suffering them to attain unto such worldly benefits, which they pursue, or if they obtain them, yet doth not suffer them to enjoy them, because he with-holdeth his blessing, and all comfort and contentment in the use of them. For the first: how many are there who have set their harts wholly upon the world, and with far more fervent desire have sought for temporal benefits, then the salvation of their own souls, not caring what wicked means they used, so they might accomplish their designs, and yet have been so crossed by God, that they could never achieve their wills? How many ambitious men have spent their whole lives in ⟨p. 209⟩climbing the hill of honour, sometimes labouring to advance themselves by Machiavellian policies; sometimes endeavouring to clime up by treading upon other mens shoulders, not caring who fall so they may rise, and yet could never make any ascent at all, or if they did, have tumbled down again before they have come to the mid way, into the lowest bottom of shame and disgrace? Whilst Adam sought to be in honour equal to God himself, he got a shameful downfall and if Gods mercy had not stayed him by the way, he had fallen as deep into hell as the Devil. The old world laboured to get fame by raising a Tower up to heaven; but the end was Babel, that is, confusion. Absalom desired to seat himself upon the royal throne, but the advancement which he got, was to be hanged on a Tree. Nebuchadnezzar would be honoured as a God, but he was abased under the condition of the meanest man, and became a companion of the beasts. So how many covetous men have spent their time in greedy scraping of riches, who in scraping have scattered them, and whilst (like Aesop's Dog) they greedily grasped after that which they had not, lost that they had?

And this is the meaning of the words; the doctrines which The doctrines arise out of them are diuers. First, we may generally obserue,