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…

The second use serveth for the reproof of many in these days, who being enriched with all abundant store, think upon no better use of Gods blessings, but to consume them in pride, excess, gormandize, and drunkenness, never remembering that where the Lord giveth greatest wages, there he requireth most diligent service, nor that he bestoweth upon them abundance, that they may supply others wants, and out of their superfluity relieve the poor's necessity. If it be to maintain Hawks and Hounds, and Harlots, excessive bravery, gluttony, drinking and good fellowship, they care not to spend many hundreds, but they can scarce afford ⟨p. 221⟩a penny to the relief of Christs poor members, when as they are ready to pine with hunger.

The second vse serueth for the reproofe of many in these dayes, who being inriched with all abundant store, think vppon no better vse of Gods blessings, but to consume them in pride, excesse, gormandize, and drunkennesse, neuer remembring that where the Lord giueth greatest wages, there he requireth most diligent seruice, nor that hee bestoweth vpon them abundance, that they may supply others wants, and out of their superfluitie relieue the poores necessitie. If it be to maintaine Hawks and Hounds, and Harlots, excessiue brauery, gluttony, drinking and good fellowship, they care not to spend many hundreds, but they can scarce afford ⟨p. 221⟩a penny to the reliefe of Christs poore members, when as they are ready to pine with hunger.

The second thing to be observed is, that as voluptuous ¹pleasures do take away the understanding and transform men into beasts, so especially whoredom and drunkenness: for first, for Whoredom, it maketh wise men fools, and so infatuateth and besotteth the understanding, that there is no place left, not only for spiritual wisdom, but not so much as for reason and common sense. For they who are addicted to this vice, care not so they may satisfy their carnal lusts, though they run headlong and blind-fold into all mischiefs; they expose their name to infamy and reproach; they wast their substance in maintaining Harlots, and bring themselves to extreme poverty; they are so blinded that they cannot see the odious behaviour, the shameless impudence, and ugly filthiness of their Harlots, but are ready to judge their vices virtues, and to esteem them of greater excellence then any other; they cast off all care of wife and children, as though they were mere strangers; they lay aside all shame, and think nothing so filthy which they may not speak, nothing so uncivil which they may not do in any presence; they consume their strength, infect their bodies with loathsome diseases, shorten their lives, and damn their own souls. And all these mischiefs they run into to satisfy their filthy lusts, and to enjoy a short and brutish pleasure. Hence it is that the Heathen called Venus [Greek or Hebrew], a stealer of hearts, and made Cupid blind, because they who are possessed with lust, loose the light of their understanding, and the use of reason. And hereof it is that the sin of uncleanness by a certain kind of eminence is in the Scriptures called folly, and the Adulterers fools. So Shechem when he deflowered Dinah, is said to have committed folly in Israel.