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…

Fourthly, we may here observe the greatness of this punishment, ¹which may be considered in the inestimable benefits, whereof they were hereby deprived, and in the intolerable evils and miseries into which they were plunged: whilst Jehovah was their Lord and King, they were under his protection, and so secured from the danger of all enemies; they were provided for by his all-sufficient providence, and therefore sure to want nothing; endued with many noble titles, prerogatives and privileges, as being his servants, children, heirs, yea his spouse, partakers of many unvaluable benefits, temporal and spiritual, his word, Sacraments, and such like; and after a short time of their service here on earth, they were assured to receive for wages, an immortal Crown of glory and eternal felicity and happiness in his Kingdom. But as ⟨p. 90⟩soon as they are cast out of his Kingdom, and rejected from being his people, they were stripped of those benefits, exposed to the danger of their enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, who speedily assault, and easily overcome all those who are out of Gods protection: and so taking them captive, enthral them in a miserable servitude, the wages whereof for the time present is misery, horror of conscience, and desperation, and in the life to come eternal death. Rom. 6. 23. As therefore we judge their case most wretched, ²who having been the subjects and servants of some gracious Prince, under whom they have enjoyed all the benefits of a peaceable and well governed kingdom, are for their crimes and misdemeanours, banished into a Country in it self uncomfortable, and amongst the middest of cruel enemies: so, and much more miserable is the state of those who are banished out of the kingdom of grace, where is all good and felicity, and live in the kingdom of Satan, where is nothing but all woe and misery.

Fourthly, we may here obserue the greatnesse of this punishment, ¹which may be considered in the inestimable benefits, whereof they were hereby depriued, and in the intolerable euils and miseries into which they were plunged: whilest Iehouah was their Lord and King, they were vnder his protection, and so secured from the danger of all enemies; they were prouided for by his al-sufficient prouidence, and therefore sure to want nothing; indued with many noble titles, prerogatiues and priuiledges, as being his seruants, children, heires, yea his spouse, partakers of many vnualuable benefites, temporall and spirituall, his word, Sacraments, and such like; and after a short time of their seruice here on earth, they were assured to receiue for wages, an immortall Crowne of glorie and eternall felicitie and happinesse in his Kingdome. But as