A69234:296
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.
But here it may be demanded, how this can stand with the saying of our Saviour Christ, who calleth his Church a little flock. I answer, that Christ speaketh of it being compared with infidels & worldlings which are not of the church; in respect of whose huge multitude, the true church of Christ is but a little flock; but yet being considered in it self, the number thereof is great, even like the stars of heaven, and sands by the sea shore, which cannot be measured nor told.
But here it may be demanded, how this can stand with the saying of our Sauiour Christ, who calleth his Church a little flocke. I answer, that Christ speaketh of it being compared with infidels & worldlings which are not of the church; in respect of whose huge multitude, ye true church of Christ is but a little flock; but yet being considered in it selfe, the number thereof is great, euen like the starres of heauen, and sands by the sea shore, which cannot be measured nor told.
And thus much for the number of the Church. In the next place is set down the time in which this increase of Gods ⟨p. 100⟩people should be; not in the time present, but in the time to come, even after the coming of Christ, when by the preaching of the Gospel, the Gentiles should be called and joined to the Church of the Jews. So that first the children of Israel, who were the children of Abraham according to the flesh only, must be cast off, before his children, according to the spirit, should be received into the covenant: first the natural branches of the Olive must be broken off, because they were unfruitful, and then the wild branches must be grafted in; and therefore their rejection should be so far from bringing Gods Church to ruin, that God after their casting off, would exceedingly multiply and enlarge it.
And thus much for the number of the Church. In the next place is set downe the time in which this increase of Gods ⟨p. 100⟩