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…

He did not when he was seated in the kingdom, labour to restore Gods pure worship and service, for which end and purpose he was stirred up of God to destroy Achabs posterity; but having satisfied his ambitious desire, he laboured to confirm the kingdom to himself and his posterity, by following Jeroboam's policy, and living in his Idolatry, withholding his people from going to worship the Lord in his Temple at Jerusalem, which was the place appointed by God for his public service, lest they should again adjoin themselves to the house of David. So that he only made show of religion and zeal, whilst it stood with his own worldly benefit; but when it but seemed to cross that, he shook hands with all, and became an Apostate. Howsoever therefore the fact, as it was commanded by God, was good and lawful, and in respect hereof was rewarded ⟨p. 60⟩of God, who will not let any show of good go unrecompensed, that he may not only hereby stop the mouths of the wicked, but also give certain assurance unto his children, that he will much more reward their true and sincere obedience: yet if we respect with what mind and purpose it was performed by Jehu,, it was nothing but ambitious rebellion, and cruel murder: which therefore at the hands of God (who respecteth not so much the outward action, as the sincerity of the heart, the inward obedience of his commandment, the causes and ends of our actions) it was sharply and justly punished.

He did not when he was seated in the kingdome, labour to restore Gods pure worship and seruice, for which end and purpose he was stirred vp of God to destroy Achabs posterity; but hauing satisfied his ambitious desire, he laboured to confirme the kingdome to himselfe and his posterity, by following Ieroboams policie, and liuing in his Idolatry, withholding his people from going to worshippe the Lord in his Temple at Ierusalem, which was the place appointed by God for his publike seruice, lest they should againe adioyne themselues to the house of Dauid. So that hee onely made shew of religion and zeale, whilest it stood with his owne worldly benefit; but when it but seemed to crosse that, he shooke handes with all, and became an Apostate. Howsoeuer therefore the fact, as it was commanded by God, was good and lawfull, and in respect hereof was rewarded ⟨p. 60⟩of God, who will not let any shew of good goe vnrecompenced, that hee may not onely heereby stop the mouthes of the wicked, but also giue certaine assurance vnto his children, that he will much more reward their true and sincere obedience: yet if we respect with what mind and purpose it was performed by Iehu,, it was nothing but ambitious rebellion, and cruell murther: which therefore at the hands of God (who respecteth not so much the outward action, as the sincerity of the heart, the inward obedience of his commandement, the causes and ends of our actions) it was sharpely and iustly punished.