A69234:1351
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.
Now the causes why the Lord doth so earnestly forbid all manner of vvil-worship, are principally two: first, it doth exceedingly derogate from his wisdom, when as men do not think his laws sufficient for their government & direction, but labour to perfect them by their own inventions, as though they were wiser then God himself. Now if it be an odious thing to an earthly prince that his subjects should take upon them to alter, or add, or detract from his Laws, or in stead of submitting themselves to be governed thereby, should make their own vvill a law, though they should make never so fair a show of their good meaning & intentions; then how odious and abominable a thing is it for us, thus to demean our selves towards God who is infinite in wisdom, and the supreme king of heaven and earth.
Now the causes why the Lord doth so earnestly forbid all manner of vvil-worship, are principally two: first, it doth exceedingly derogate from his wisedome, when as men doe not think his lawes sufficient for their gouernment & direction, but labour to perfect them by their owne inventions, as though they were wiser then God himselfe. Now if it be an odious thing to an earthly prince that his subjects should take vpon them to alter, or adde, or detract from his Lawes, or in stead of submitting themselues to be gouerned thereby, should make their owne vvill a law, though they should make neuer so faire a shew of their good meaning & intentions; then how odious and abhorninable a thing is it for vs, thus to demeane our selues towards God who is infinite in wisedome, and the supreame king of heauen and earth.
Secondly, because where will-worship and humane inventions 1are entertained, there soon after the true worship of God is expelled and banished, for such is the averseness of mans corrupt nature towards the true worship of God, and proneness unto humane inventions and superstitions, that when they are both together, he nourisheth and maketh high esteem of will-worship, as being the birth of his own brain, and utterly neglecteth Gods pure and sincere service, which in his word he hath prescribed, as though it were the child of a stranger. And this is a notable fruit of pride and self love, when as men prefer the wisdom of the flesh before the wisdom of God, and their own inventions before his commandments. The which was the sin of the Scribes and Pharisees, who as our Saviour charged them, made the commandments of God of no authority, whilst they established