A69234:1481
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 meaning then is, that Judah should let the Israelites alone, and have no manner of familiarity, or intercourse of dealing with them. For whereas they might pretend, that they therefore conversed with them, that by their admonitions, they might reclaim them from their idolatry: he taketh away this objection, by showing that they were so desperately addicted to their idols, and so as it were glued unto, and incorporated with them, that there was no hope of any separation; and therefore seeing there was no likelihood of their reclaiming, it was the best course not to meddle with them; for well might they make them worse, but it was not like they could make the other better; well might they allure them to communicate with them in their superstitions, but it was scarce possible to dissuade them from ⟨p. 320⟩their idolatrous and false worship. Again, as our Saviour saith in another case, they had Moses and the Prophets, the 1book of Gods law, & faithful Expositors to make it clear to their understandings, and to admonish them of their evil ways, and therefore it was likely, if they would not give them the hearing, then much less would they regard their private admonitions.
The meaning then is, that Iuda should let the Israelites alone, and haue no manner of familiaritie, or entercourse of dealing with them. For whereas they might pretend, that they therfore conuersed with them, that by their admonitions, they might reclaime them from their idolatrie: hee taketh away this obiection, by shewing that they were so desperately addicted to their idols, and so as it were glewed vnto, and incorporated with them, that there was no hope of any separation; and therefore seeing there was no likelihood of their reclaiming, it was the best course not to meddle with them; for well might they make them worse, but it was not like they could make the other better; well might they allure them to communicate with them in their superstitions, but it was scarce possible to disswade them from ⟨p. 320⟩their idolatrous and false worship. Againe, as our Sauiour saith in another case, they had Moses and the Prophets, the 1booke of Gods law, & faithfull Expositors to make it cleare to their vnderstandings, and to admonish them of their euill waies, and therefore it was likely, if they would not giue them the hearing, then much lesse would they regard their priuate admonitions.