A69234:324
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.
Thirdly, we learn what is the instrument and means, whereby 1we become the sons of God; not by our own works, or any thing which we could do, but by the ministry of the word, and preaching of the Gospel, which being made effectual by the inward operation of Gods spirit, begetteth true faith, whereby we lay hold upon Christ, and are ingrafted into his mystical body, and so in him who is the natural son of God we become the sons of God by adoption & grace. The consideration whereof should move us highly to esteem this precious pearl, and with all care and conscience to receive and lay it up in our hearts, seeing it is the only ordinary means whereby we become the adopted sons of God, and heirs of everlasting life. If therefore we highly value the means of our worldly advancement to some momentany patrimony, how should we esteem of the preaching of the Gospel, which entitleth us to this dignity of being the sons of the everliving God, and heirs of his glorious kingdom? And if this estimate were made by all, then would neither the people for small occasions refrain from hearing the word preached; neither would the Ministers of the Gospel for their worldly ease and pleasure, live idly and unprofitable in their Ministry; nor for any inconveniences (sin only excepted) leave their callings, and desist from preaching Christ crucified, seeing it is the only ordinary means of the salvation of souls, and of adopting men to be the children of God.
Thirdly, we learne what is the instrument and means, wherby 1we become the sons of God; not by our own works, or any thing which we could do, but by ye ministery of the word, and preaching of the Gospel, which being made effectual by the inward operation of Gods spirit, begetteth true faith, whereby we lay hold vpon Christ, and are ingrafted into his mystical body, and so in him who is the naturall son of God we become the sons of God by adoption & grace. The consideration wherof should moue vs highly to esteem this pretious pearle, and with all care and conscience to receiue and lay it vp in our hearts, seeing it is the only ordinarie meanes whereby we become the adopted sons of God, and heires of euerlasting life. If therfore we highly value the means of our worldly aduancement to some momentany patrimony, how should we esteeme of the preaching of the Gospell, which intitleth vs to this dignitie of being the sonnes of the euerliuing God, and heires of his glorious kingdome? And if this estimate were made by all, then would neither the people for small occasions refraine from hearing the word preached; neither would the Ministers of the Gospell for their worldly ease and pleasure, liue idly and vnprofitable in their Ministerie; nor for any inconueniences (sinne onely excepted) leaue their callings, and desist from preaching Christ crucified, seeing it is the onely ordinarie meanes of the saluation of soules, and of adopting men to be the children of God.