A69234:1423
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 use hereof serveth to reprove those, who surcease their pains in the work of the Ministry, because they cannot see the fruit of their labours, but contrariwise find, that the more diligently they preach unto their people, the more obstinately they contemn the means of their salvation, loth the food of their souls, and persist in their impenitency. For the neglect of other mens duties must not be an argument to make us neglect ours, but rather should make us more earnest in the work of the Ministry. Neither do we know whom, nor when the Lord will call; the Spirit bloweth ⟨p. 291⟩where it listeth, and when it listeth, and the Lord who hath the hearts of all in his hand, can make those who were lions 1and bears and wolves yesterday, to become this day gentle as lambs, & innocent as doves, and of mockers of his word he can make zealous converts; of persecuting Saul, a preaching 2Paul. Besides, though they had certain assurance that they should never convert a soul of those people which are committed to them, nor build up any one in the faith of Christ, yet are they not discharged of their work, nor hereby have received a privilege of idleness; seeing when these who have often heard them, do obstinately stop their ears, there are perhaps others who would willingly have the benefit of their Ministry. And though there were not, yet must we preach the word, even when we are assured that it is the savour of death unto death, because the Lord who hath set us on work, and will surely pay us our wages, is as well glorified by executing justice against obstinate sinners, as by showing mercy to those who are by his word moved to repentance and amendment of life.
The vse hereof serueth to reprooue those, who surcease their paines in the worke of the Ministerie, because they cannot see the fruite of their labours, but contrariwise finde, that the more diligently they preach vnto their people, the more obstinately they contemne the meanes of their saluation, lothe the food of their soules, and persist in their impenitencie. For the neglect of other mens duties must not be an argument to make vs neglect ours, but rather should make vs more earnest in the worke of the Ministerie. Neither doe we know whom, nor when the Lord will call; the Spirit bloweth