A69234:344
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.
Fourthly, we are to observe, that the means whereby he 1applieth the former benefit unto us, making it effectual for our gathering into his Church, is the ministry of his word, his holy spirit, and a lively faith; and therefore we are carefully and conscionably to hear Gods word, which is the voice of our shepherd, whereby he gathereth us into his sheepfold. And forasmuch as we are dull of hearing, and slow in coming, both in respect of the stiffness of our limbs, and stubbornness of our wills; therefore let us continually implore our good shepherd, not only to call us with his voice, but also to send his holy spirit to assist us; for he alone openeth our deaf ears, suppleth our stiff joints, and mollifieth and inclineth our stubborn wills, making us both able and willing to come unto him, when he in the ministry of the word calleth us. And seeing we also before we can come unto Christ, must be endued with a lively faith; therefore let us use all good means ordained of God, to attain unto it, and not cease begging of it at the hands of our heavenly father, seeing it is not of our selves, but we have it only by his free gift, as appeareth, Eph. 2. 8.2
Fourthly, we are to obserue, that the meanes whereby hee 1applieth the former benefit vnto vs, making it effectual for our gathering into his Church, is the ministerie of his word, his holy spirit, and a liuely faith; and therefore wee are carefully and conscionablie to heare Gods word, which is the voyce of our shepheard, whereby hee gathereth vs into his sheepefold. And forasmuch as wee are dull of hearing, and slow in comming, both in respect of the stiffenesse of our limmes, and stubbornnesse of our willes; therefore let vs continually implore our good shepheard, not onely to call vs with his voice, but also to send his holy spirit to assist vs; for he alone openeth our deafe eares, suppleth our stiffe ioynts, and mollifieth and inclineth our stubborne willes, making vs both able and willing to come vnto him, when he in the ministerie of the word calleth vs. And seeing wee also before we can come vnto Christ, must be indued with a liuely faith; therefore let vs vse all good meanes ordained of God, to attaine vnto it, and not cease begging of it at the hands of our heauenly father, seeing it is not of our selues, but wee haue it onely by his free gift, as appeareth,