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…

Fifthly, we here learn, that all places lose their dignity, and become infamous, when as they are defiled with sin, ¹and consecrated to idolatry; so famous Gilgal, which was ennobled by many memorable accidents which there happened, became through the idolatry there committed so infamous, and of such bad note, that the people of Judah are forbidden to resort unto it. And Beth-ell, which in former times was the house of God, by the like abuse became Beth-aven, a house of vanity. So Shiloh which was greatly renowned, because God had set his name there, and placed therein his Tabernacle and Ark, the visible signs of his presence, became afterwards as remarkable for Gods heavy judgements, as before it had been for his great mercies, through the grievous sins therein committed; so as the Prophet Jeremiah doth propound it, as a pattern and example of Gods fearful wrath, to keep the people of Judah from glorying in the Temple, Jer. 7. 12. Psal. 78. 60. The like may be said of the ²Temple it self, which in the first institution was the house of prayer, consecrated to Gods public worship and service, but through the wicked abuse thereof, it became by Christs own testimony a den of thieves, Matth. 21. 13. So Jerusalem ³the holy city, is become an harlot; and whereas heretofore it was the place of Gods presence, it is now the prey of ⟨p. 299⟩Gog and Magog. And Rome also, which was the spouse of Christ, is become the whore of Babylon; and whereas heretofore it was a famous Church, professing and practising Gods true religion, now it is become the habitation of devils, the hold of all foul spirits, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, as it was prophesied of her, Apoc. 18. 2.⁴