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…

This indictment containeth two things: First, an accusation of sin: Secondly, a denunciation of punishment. Their sin whereof he accuseth them, was their Idolatry, the which is of two kinds: first, their consulting with their Idols: secondly, their worshipping of them by oblations and sacrifices. Their consulting with their Idols is set down in these words, Verse 12. My people ask counsel of their stocks, and Verse 12 their staff teacheth them: for the spirit of fornications hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

This inditement containeth two things: First, an accusation of sinne: Secondly, a denunciation of punishment. Their sinne whereof he accuseth them, was their Idolatrie, the which is of two kindes: first, their consulting with their Idols: secondly, their worshipping of them by oblations and sacrifices. Their consulting with their Idols is set downe in these words, Verse 12. My people aske counsaile of their stocks, and Verse 12 their staffe teacheth them: for the spirit of fornications hath caused them to erre, and they haue gone a whoring from vnder their God.

In which words is contained two things: first, their sin: ¹secondly, the cause thereof. Their sin in these words: My people ask counsel of their stocks, and their staff teacheth them. Where first is set down the persons who committed this wickedness, and then the quality of their sin is also expressed. The persons are said to be not Heathens and Pagans, but the people of God. My people ask counsel, &c. by which high title it is not his purpose to grace them with any privilege of honour, or to prefer them before the nations and infidels, but rather he raiseth them up that he may ⟨p. 225⟩give them the greater fall, and showeth their honourable condition whereunto they were advanced by Gods free and undeserved grace, that hereby he may aggravate the heinousness of their sin. As though he should have said, if these outrageous sins be not to be excused in the gentiles and infidels, who have only the dim light of Nature to be their guide, and whom I have vouchsafed but common favours; then how intolerable is this wickedness being committed by this people of Israel, unto whom above all the nations of the earth, I have vouchsafed this royal privilege and prerogative, to be called my chosen and peculiar people? unto whom I have given my laws, statutes, and ordinances for their direction, and my Sacraments as assured seals of my love and favour; upon whom I have multiplied innumerable benefits to encourage them in my service: who have abounded with Oracles of infallible truth, as the event hath proved, and have continually had my Prophets to satisfy them in their doubts, and to guide them in all truth: even this ungrateful people, after all these benefits received, have causelessly forsaken me and no necessity urging them have consulted with their Idols. Neither is this heinous fault committed by some few persons, but as though they had made a common conspiracy, the whole body of the people have associated and combined themselves together as one man, in this apostasy and Idolatry.