A69234:1297
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.
It was a great privilege to the Israelites, to be the vineyard of the Lord, which he had hedged in from the rest of the world for his own use and delight, but when they answered not to Gods mercy in their obedience, but in stead of the sweet grapes of righteousness, brought forth the sour 1grapes of sin, the Lord did not only forsake it, but also pull down the hedge, and laid it open to the common spoil. It was a singular prerogative unto them, that they had amongst them the profession of Religion, and the Temple of God, the place of Gods worship; but when they abused it as a visard of hypocrisy, to countenance their sin, and as a shield to fence off all Gods threatenings of punishment, God sendeth them to Shiloh to see a pattern of his fearful 2vengeance, which should also over-take them unless they repented. Finally, it was a great dignity, and royal privilege to the people of the Jews, that they enjoyed all earthly benefits in the land of Canaan, that they were Gods peculiar people, with whom he had made his covenant; his chosen nation; his royal Priest-hood; the treasurers of his word; the keepers of his seals; and that they had the first offer of eternal salvation by Christ, and of the joyful tidings of the Gospel: but when they abused this rich mercy by continuing in their rebellion, by stopping their ears to Christs heavenly Sermons; by crucifying the Lord of Life; and by continuing in final impenitency, after they were long called there unto by the preaching of the Apostles; all Gods ⟨p. 232⟩patience, long-suffering, & innumerable benefits, served but as so many arguments to aggravate their sins, to bring upon them more fearful punishments, and to make their condemnation more horrible and grievous, as may plainly appear by these places. Math. 11. 21. Luke. 13. 34. 35. 3Rom. 2. 4. 5.