A69234:185
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.
And this is the meaning of these words, yet a little. The The doctrines. doctrines which hence we gather are these. First we may observe 1Gods infinite mercy, patience & long suffering, in sparing of this rebellious people, long after their sins cried for vengeance, in the mean time sending his Prophets unto them, to invite them to repentance, that so they might escape his just punishments. He is long before he threateneth, and rather striveth to master mens stubbornness, & to incline them to obedience, by his mercies and benefits; and after he threateneth, he is long before he is drawn to punish; and after that his justice urgeth him to resolve upon this, and that the heinous sins of his people cry out in his cares, that it is more then time that deserved punishment were inflicted, yet he spareth a little, and like a loving father, after he it hath taken ⟨p. 54⟩his rod into his hand, and hath lifted it up to fetch his stroke, he yet pauseth and stayeth his hand, expecting our submission and repentance, that so he may spare us. And thus he dealt with the old world, as appeareth, Gen. 6. 5. 12. 13. with 2the Amorites, who though they were most wicked idolaters, yet he deferred their punishment 400. years, Gen. 15. 16. 3And thus also hath the Lord dealt with us. So that the Lord is content to attend our leisure, being more loath to punish, then we to suffer punishment; and therefore when the time is more then past, wherein justice b•ggeth for vengeance; mercy entreateth yet a little, that judgement may be deferred, yea and after sentence is pronounced, that execution may be delayed, and we reprieved, till the next assizes, that in the mean time by true repentance, we may procure our pardon, and so escape deserved punishment. And this is notably set down, Esa. 30. 18. Yet therefore will the Lord wait