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…

Now the reasons why this our Prophet which was sent to the Israelites, maketh this gracious promise in the name of the Lord, of that mercy and salvation unto the Jews, which was denied unto the Israelites, was, first, that he might hereby awaken them out of their deep sleep of carnal security, and beat down their pride and self confidence, into which their present prosperity had brought them. For at this time the Kingdom of Israel exceedingly flourished both in multitude, as containing in it ten Tribes, and in strength and all warlike provision; having obtained many great victories over their enemies, and particularly against the Jews, whom they had overthrown and brought into great extremity; in wealth also, which they had gotten by spoiling their enemies, and namely the Jews, whose Temple they had robbed and carried away all their treasures and vessels of gold and silver; whereas the Jews were but a few in number, as being but one Tribe and a half, many of which were miserably slain by their enemies, disfurnished of their warlike munition and means of defence; and lastly, spoiled of their riches and treasures, which are the sinews of war; and so brought into miserable poverty. In all which respects the Israelites despised the Jews, and ⟨p. 76⟩proudly insulted over them in their miseries; yea and which was worst of all, they combined themselves with the Syrians, the enemies of God, & conspired how they might bring the poor afflicted Kingdom of Judah to utter ruin; as appeareth, Isaiah, 7. 5, 6. And therefore the Lord, to beat down this ¹pride and cruel insolency, sendeth his Prophet to foretell their destruction, who were many, strong, and abounding in all riches: and contrariwise, the preservation and salvation of the Jews, who were few, weak, and in want of all things, but want of misery.

Now the reasons why this our Prophet which was sent to the Israelites, maketh this gracious promise in the name of the Lord, of that mercy and saluation vnto the Iews, which was denied vnto the Israelites, was, first, that he might hereby awaken them out of their deepe sleepe of carnall security, and beate downe their pride and selfe confidence, into which their present prosperity had brought them. For at this time the Kingdome of Israel exceedingly flourished both in multitude, as containing in it ten Tribes, and in strength and all warlicke prouision; hauing obtained many great victories ouer their enemies, and particularly against the Iewes, whom they had ouerthrowne and brought into great extremity; in wealth also, which they had gotten by spoiling their enemies, and namely the Iewes, whose Temple they had robbed and carried away all their treasures and vessels of gold and siluer; whereas the Iewes were but a few in number, as being but one Tribe and a halfe, many of which were miserably slaine by their enemies, disfurnished of their warlicke munition and meanes of defence; and lastly, spoiled of their riches and treasures, which are the sinewes of warre; and so brought into miserable pouerty. In all which respects the Israelites despised the Iewes, and