A69234:1267
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.
But let us more particularly set down the meaning of the words: By Whoredom and wine some understand their Idolatry and delight in superstition; but I rather take them in their literal sense. First, because they better so agree with the verse going before, whereupon they seem to depend, in the which they were condemned of voluptuousness. Secondly, because howsoever Idolatry is usually signified by whoredom, yet delight in Superstition, is not so fitly signified by wine. Thirdly, because I hold it always best and safest to rest in the plain and natural meaning, and not to run to Allegories, when such a sense agreeth with the Analogy of faith, and with the circumstances of the place.
But let vs more particularly set downe the meaning of the words: By Whoredome and wine some vnderstand their Idolatry and delight in superstition; but I rather take them in their literall sense. First, because they better so agree with the verse going before, wherevpon they seeme to depend, in the which they were condemned of voluptuousnes. Secondly, because howsoeuer Idolatry is vsually signified by whoredome, yet delight in Superstition, is not so fitly signified by wine. Thirdly, because I hold it alwayes best and safest to rest in the plaine and naturall meaning, and not to runne to Allegories, when such a sense agreeth with the Analogie of faith, and with the circumstances of the place.
By Whoredom and Wine therefore, we are to understand generally all voluptuous pleasures, and more especially the sin of uncleanness and drunkenness, which above all other brutish pleasures rob men of their hearts, and unto ⟨p. 218⟩which they were principally addicted, as before hath been showed. Neither are we so to take it, as though Wine in it self were a stealer of harts, seeing if it be moderately used, it cheereth and refresheth the hart of man, and maketh him more sit for Gods service, to which end it was created; but by Wine we are here to understand the excessive abuse of Wine unto drunkenness, which taketh away the hart, and quite extinguisheth the light of reason.