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…

But let us come to the words themselves, wherein two things are to be considered: first, the parties to whom this duty is enjoined: secondly, the duty which by them is to be performed. The parties who must speak to their brethren, are those of whom he had spoken in the former verse, namely, such as were gathered into the Church, united unto Christ, and had ascended out of the land of darkness into the kingdom of grace; they being ascended themselves must persuade their brethren to ascend with them. For before our selves are called, united unto Christ, justified and sanctified, we neither can nor will exhort others to participate of these benefits, because we have had no taste nor feeling of them; nay, rather we are ready to draw others from ascending to the mountain of God, into the land of darkness, that together with us they may have the fruition of the pleasures ⟨p. 143⟩of sin, and wallow in the filthy puddle of worldly delights, which we deem the greatest happiness, because we have had no sense nor relish of better things. But when once our minds are enlightened, and we discern, that the pleasures of sin are in themselves base and vain, and also in the end bring death and utter destruction; and withal perceive the excellency of Gods spiritual benefits, which he bestoweth upon the faithful, and have our selves attained unto some assurance of them; then do we not only for our own part contemn those things which we so highly prised in former times, but also persuade others to scorn and loath them; then do we not only our selves enjoy our heavenly happiness, but exhort others to congratulate our joy, who already are partakers of it, and to persuade those who have not as yet tasted of it, that they will labour to attain unto it.

But let vs come to the words themselues, wherein two things are to be considered: first, the parties to whom this dutie is inioyned: secondly, the dutie which by them is to bee performed. The parties who must speake to their brethren, are those of whom he had spoken in the former verse, namely, such as were gathered into the Church, vnited vnto Christ, and had ascended out of the land of darkenesse into the kingdome of grace; they being ascended themselues must perswade their brethren to ascend with them. For before our selues are called, vnited vnto Christ, iustified and sanctified, we neither can nor wil exhort others to participate of these benefits, because wee haue had no tast nor feeling of them; nay, rather wee are readie to draw others from ascending to the mountaine of God, into the land of darkenesse, that together with vs they may haue the fruition of the pleasures