A69234:152
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.
Out of which examples Gods Ministers may learn, in the delivery of Gods word spiritual discretion, in fitting their speech according to the condition of their auditory; and not to deal with ignorant and untaught men, after the same manner that they deal with wilful and obstinate sinners; but as Physicians put a difference in their patients, applying to ordinary sicknesses ordinary remedies, and to desperate diseases, desperate physic, and as Chirurgeons to small cuts, apply healing plasters, and for the curing of deep festered wounds use eating corrosives and the sharp lancher: So the Physician and Surgeon of the soul for the curing of some desperate disease, or healing of some festered sore which sin hath made in mens consciences, must use bitter potions, a rough hand, and desperate remedies.
Out of which examples Gods Ministers may learne, in the deliuerie of Gods word spirituall discretion, in fitting their speech according to the condition of their auditorie; and not to deale with ignorant and vntaught men, after the same manner that they deale with wilfull and obstinate sinners; but as Physitions put a difference in their patients, applying to ordinarie sicknesses ordinarie remedies, and to desperate diseases, desperate physicke, and as Chirurgions to small cuts, applie healing plaisters, and for the curing of deepe festered wounds vse eating corrosiues and the sharpe lancher: So the Physition and Surgion of the soule for the curing of some desperate disease, or healing of some festered sore which sinne hath made in mens consciences, must vse bitter potions, a rough hand, and desperate remedies.
Secondly, God beginneth here with legal comminations, 1before he comforteth them with any evangelical consolations, because this is the best and fittest course for the conversion of a sinner. For first their sores and festered wounds must be launched, searched and drawn with the razor and corrosive of the law, before they be healed with the plasters of Gods promises in the Gospel; for otherwise the wound being not healed to the bottom will break out again, and become worse then it was. First we must be beaten down, before we can be raised up; we must first see our sins, and seeing bewail them, before God will show unto