A69234:246
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 that which is meant by these benefits promised. Doctrines. Now the things which hence are to be observed, are 1these. First, that he includeth all his benefits promised, under the name of his mercy: to note unto us, that they do not come unto any by merit and desert, but of free grace and Gods undeserved goodness; for mercy doth not presuppose merit, but rather misery, both in regard of sin, and the punishment due unto it. And further, to assure us that if we have Gods mercy, and be in his favour, we shall need no benefit, either for our maintenance, or else our defence and preservation; whereas on the other side, without this mercy we can have no assurance of either.
And this is that which is meant by these benefits promised. Doctrines. Now the things which hence are to be obserued, are 1these. First, that he includeth all his benefits promised, vnder the name of his mercy: to note vnto vs, that they doe not come vnto any by merit and desert, but of free grace and Gods vndeserued goodnes; for mercy doth not presuppose merit, but rather misery, both in regard of sinne, and the punishment due vnto it. And further, to assure vs that if we haue Gods mercy, and be in his fauour, we shall neede no benefit, either for our maintenance, or else our defence and preseruation; whereas on the otherside, without this mercy we can haue no assurance of either.
- 1All Gods benefits included under his mercy.All Gods benefits included vnder his mercy.
Secondly, we may observe, that he knitteth these two together, 1mercy and salvation, and setteth mercy in the first place, because it is the cause of salvation, and the fountain from which this stream of our deliverance floweth. Whence we learn, that when the Lord saveth and delivereth us out of the hands of our enemies, we do not ascribe our deliverance to our goodness, works or worthiness, but to Gods free mercy and undeserved grace.