A69234:13
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.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
Christian Reader, although the world is already so full of Books, that a man may spend his whole time in reading titles and inscriptions; yet are there but few amongst this multitude in our English tongue, which contain sound expositions of the books of holy Scriptures; which are appointed by God to be the object of our faith, and the rule and directory of our life and manners. In consideration whereof, as I did in the general think, that no man can better spend his labours then in expounding and clearing these holy and hidden mysteries; so more particularly, that it should be a profitable and acceptable labour, to explain the Prophecy of Hosea; which as it is exceeding obscure, and not by any (that I know of) expounded in our tongue, so also when it is understood, most excellent, and of singular use for these times. And therefore relying my self upon Gods assistance, I have undertaken this hard task, and by his blessing have already proceeded unto the fifth Chapter. In handling whereof, I have chiefly laboured to clear this Scripture from all obscurity; and then to inform the Readers judgement, by such instructions as naturally arise out of the text; and to reform his affections, life and conversation, ⟨image 7⟩by making thereof use and application. The which my labours (I may truly say) I only intended for the benefit of mine own private charge, and never thought of making them public by the press, till I had finished the three first Chapters; when as being persuaded by some of my friends to set them out, for the good of others, I began to resolve upon this course, yet with a purpose not to divulge any part till the whole were finished. But he who is at the charge of printing this book, herein overruled me, persuading me to publish my readings upon these Chapters first, for a taste of the rest. Unto which motion I have condescended, with a purpose to take the like pains in those Chapters which remain, by the assistance of God, if I shall in the mean while perceive that this part findeth good acceptation, and shall be thought profitable by those who are of better judgement, for the advancement of Gods glory, and good of his Church, which my desire is should be the main end of all my labours.