A69234:1374
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.
And thus I have showed both their punishment and the cause thereof: now in the last words is contained a further reason, why they should be thus severely punished, and then their punishment is in some general terms repeated and ratified. The reason is, because they were a people that did not understand, that is, a people not only destitute of the knowledge of God and his true Religion, but also so besotted in their superstitions, and so wholly possessed with affected ignorance, and wilful indociblenesse, that neither Gods Word, nor his works, his mercies nor his judgements, would make them to see their sins or bring them to repentance.
And thus I haue shewed both their punishment and the cause thereof: now in the last words is contained a further reason, vvhy they should bee thus seuerely punished, and then their punishment is in some generall tearmes repeated and ratified. The reason is, because they were a people that did not vnderstand, that is, a people not onely destitute of the knowledge of God and his true Religion, but also so besotted in their superstitions, and so vvholy possessed vvith affected ignorance, and vvilfull indociblenesse, that neyther Gods Word, nor his vvorks, his mercies nor his judgements, vvould make them to see their sinnes or bring them to repentance.
Where he taketh away an objection, which might be made by the hypocrites, namely, that it would not stand with the justice of God to deal so severely with the people; for they had a good meaning in all their devotions, and if they failed in the manner of worshipping God, it was through ignorance, and therefore to be excused. To which objection, the Prophet seemeth to answer, that they were ignorant indeed, and by reason hereof they fell into all manner of sin, but their ignorance did not excuse their faults, neither was it self to be excused, seeing they contemned the means of knowledge and remained ignorant, because they would be ignorant, and affected the darkness of superstition, more then the light of Gods truth.
Where hee taketh away an objection, vvhich might bee made by the hipocrites, namely, that it would not stand with the justice of God to deale so seuerely vvith the people; for they had a good meaning in all their deuotions, and if they fayled in the manner of vvorshipping God, it was through ignorance, and therefore to bee excused. To which objection, the Prophet seemeth to answere, that they were ignorant indeede, and by reason hereof they fell into all manner of sinne, but their ignorance did not excuse their faults, neyther was it selfe to bee excused, seeing they contemned the meanes of knowledge and remayned ignorant, because they would be ignorant, and affected the darknesse of superstition, more then the light of Gods truth.