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…

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.

In which words is contayned two things: first, their sin: ¹secondly, the cause thereof. Their sinne in these words: My people aske counsaile of their stockes, and their staffe teacheth them. Where first is set downe the persons who committed this wickednesse, and then the qualitie of their sinne is also expressed. The persons are saide to be not Heathens and Pagans, but the people of God. My people aske counsaile, &c. by which high title it is not his purpose to grace them with any priuiledge of honour, or to preferre them before the nations and infidels, but rather he raiseth them vp that he may