A69234:184
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 time is signified in these words, yet a little, whereby he intimateth two things; first, that the Lord would not presently inflict these judgements threatened; but that he would yet give them some time of repentance, and for a while defer his punishments, which long ago they had deserved. 2. That though he spared them for a while, yet the time should not be long, unless they prevented his judgements by forsaking their sins, and turning unto him. For in all threatenings, though never so speedy, this condition is to be observed: the which the Israelites neglecting, the punishment was accordingly inflicted. For at the most the Prophet prophesied but 14. years before the end of Jeroboam's reign, and after that his son Zechariah had reigned but ⟨p. 53⟩six months, he was killed by Shallum, and so the kingdom 1ceased in the house of Jehu; at which time God begun to visit the people: the which his visitation, not only of the sins of Jehu, but of the house of Israel, he accomplished in the reign of Hosea, when as the King and people were led into captivity, by Shalmaneser, King of Babylon. So that the sense of these words is thus much, as if he should have said, Although your rebellions be great, and the measure of your sins full, yet such is your hardness of heart and carnal security, that you promise unto your selves immunity from punishment, putting the evil day far from you, as though you should ever escape: but do not thus flatter your selves, for assuredly the Lord will very shortly visit you for your iniquities, and pay you home for all. It is true indeed, that although your outrageous wickedness doth cry out for present vengeance, yet the Lord to show his patience and long suffering, and to leave you quite without excuse, will a little defer his punishments, and expect your repentance: but let not Gods delays and merciful patience cause you to defer your conversion; for undoubtedly if you obstinately persist in your impenitency, the Lord will very quickly execute on you these judgements, which he hath caused me to denounce against you.
The time is signified in these words, yet a little, whereby he intimateth two things; first, that the Lord would not presently inflict these iudgements threatned; but that he would yet giue them some time of repentance, and for a while deferre his punishments, which long agoe they had deserued. 2. That though hee spared them for a while, yet the time should not be long, vnlesse they preuented his iudgements by forsaking their sinnes, and turning vnto him. For in all threatnings, though neuer so speedie, this condition is to be obserued: the which the Israelites neglecting, the punishment was accordingly inflicted. For at the most the Prophet prophesied but 14. yeeres before the end of Ieroboams raigne, and after that his sonne Zacharias had reigned but