A69234:195
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.
Others (as I said) expound these words of the slaughter of Achabs family and posterity, Jezebel, Joram, Ahab's 70. 1sons, Ahaziah, and 42. of his brethren: wherein they follow the plain history, and the manifest words of the text without any change and alteration. Which (as I take it) is the rather to be embraced; for where the exposition is according to the plain words of the text, agreeing with the circumstances thereof, the analogy of faith, the rest of the Scriptures, and containeth nothing improbable or absurd, there it is to be given and received, without any further search for one further fetched, mystical and hidden. Yea, but will some say, this fact of Jehues was commanded of God to be done, and commended and rewarded when it was done; and therefore it is not likely that God would punish him and his posterity for it. I answer, that we are to consider in this fact two things: the outward fact it self, and Jehues doing of it. The outward fact it self was good, and enjoined ⟨p. 59⟩by God himself, as a just revenge taken upon Ahab for his tyranny, murder, idolatry, and other outrages by him committed: and in respect hereof Jehu is commended, and rewarded; because he was Gods minister and instrument, in performing a work in it self commendable and acceptable unto God. But in respect of Jehu his doing of it, it was wicked and unlawful: for he did it not in the sincerity and uprightness of his heart, but with a corrupt mind, poisoned with ambition: as appeareth, 2. King. 10. 31. He did 2it not in zeal of Gods glory, as he falsely boasted; but his main end was his own advancement; which when he had attained unto, he utterly neglected the glory of God, and grievously dishonoured him by his gross Idolatry. He did not do it in obedience to Gods commandment; for then he would have made conscience of the rest, which he transgressed, resting and contenting himself like an hypocrite in this one outward act: he did not do it in detestation of Achabs sin, but for self-love, for he continued in the same idolatry: and although he destroyed Baals Priests and house, yet following Jeroboam's policy, he worshipped the golden calves in Dan and Bethel: whereby he clearly showed, that all he did was not in hatred of idolatry, but for his worldly advantage.