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…

But let us descend unto more particulars. In this punishment here threatened two things are to be considered: first, the time when it should be inflicted: secondly, the punishment it self. The time is expressed in the present tense: Now the Lord will feed them. Whereby is signified, that seeing they were grown to such haughty stubbornness, in their rebellion, God would no longer endure it, but would take a speedy course to abate their pride, master their unruly stubbornness, and to tame their wantonness, by loading them as it were with calamities.

But let vs descend vnto more particulars. In this punishment here threatned two things are to be considered: first, the time whē it should be inflicted: secondly, the punishmēt it selfe. The time is expressed in the present tense: Now the Lord will feede them. Whereby is signified, that seeing they were growen to such haughtie stubbornnesse, in their rebellion, God would no longer indure it, but would take a speedie course to abate their pride, master their vnruly stubbornnesse, and to tame their wantonnesse, by loading them as it were with calamities.

The punishment it self is expressed by way of allegory: for as before he had signified their unruliness and rebellion, by a similitude of an unruly heifer, so now he setteth down their abject and miserable condition, under the similitude of a silly wandering lamb in a desert place. As though he should say, Because whilst I fed them plentifully with my benefits, they behaved themselves like wanton, stubborn and unruly beasts; I will out of hand strip them of my gifts, wherewith they are too much pampered, and so load them with miseries and calamities, that they shall become as mild and tame as silly lambs, wandering in the wilderness, and forsaken both of dam and shepherd.

The punishment it selfe is expressed by way of allegorie: for as before he had signified their vnrulinesse and rebellion, by a similitude of an vnruly heifer, so now he setteth downe their abiect and miserable condition, vnder the similitude of a sillie wandring lambe in a desert place. As though hee should say, Because whilest I fed them plentifully with my benefits, they behaued themselues like wanton, stubborne and vnruly beasts; I will out of hand strip them of my gifts, wherewith they are too much pampered, and so loade them with miseries and calamities, that they shall become as mild and tame as sillie lambes, wandring in the wildernesse, and forsaken both of damme and shepheard.