A69234:1414
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.
The reason then why the Prophet doth so earnestly forbid the people of Judah to come at Gilgall and Beth-aven was, not only because they were consecrated unto idolatry, and therefore in this respect dangerous, in that by ⟨p. 286⟩frequenting these Idolatrous places, they might easily be seduced to join with them in their false worship, but also because there was more peril of these places then of others, in regard of that reverend estimation the people had of them, for the reasons abovesaid. And this also was the cause, why he specially maketh mention of these two places, under which he comprehendeth all the rest of like quality, because as they were more famous then either Dan or any other of the high places, so also in respect of their credit with the people, much more dangerous.
The reason then why the Prophet doth so earnestly forbid the people of Iuda to come at Gilgall and Beth-auen was, not onely because they were consecrated vnto idolatry, and therefore in this respect daungerous, in that by ⟨p. 286⟩frequenting these Idolatrous places, they might easily bee seduced to joyne with them in their false worship, but also because there was more perill of these places then of others, in regard of that reuerend estimation the people had of them, for the reasons abouesaid. And this also was the cause, why hee specially maketh mention of these two places, vnder which he comprehendeth all the rest of like qualitie, because as they were more famous then eyther Dan or any other of the high places, so also in respect of their credit with the people, much more dangerous.
Now in the form of the prohibition, we are further to observe, that he doth not only prohibit them to sacrifice in these places, but not so much as to ascend or go unto them, not that it was not lawful for them to come into these places for their civill affairs, and worldly businesses, but by this strait prohibition, he implieth that he would as little as might be, have them to frequent the company of Idolaters; but especially, that it was altogether unlawful for them who professed Gods true Religion, to be present at their idolatrous sacrifices and other solemnities, whereby in time they would be seduced to imitate them in their superstitions.