A69234:393
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.
The duty which by these is to be performed, is, that they speak unto their brethren, that is, that they would exhort and stir them up, either to begin to ascend into the kingdom, if they have not yet ascended; or if they have, to congratulate with them in this great happiness, and so with mutual encouragements to move one another with all care, alacrity and diligence, more and more to ascend out of the land of darkness, and to adjoin themselves more firmly and nearly unto the kingdom of Christ.
The dutie which by these is to be performed, is, that they speake vnto their brethren, that is, that they would exhort and stirre them vp, either to begin to ascend into the kingdome, if they haue not yet ascended; or if they haue, to congratulate with them in this great happinesse, and so with mutuall incouragements to moue one another with all care, alacritie and diligence, more and more to ascend out of the land of darkenesse, and to adioyne themselues more firmelie and neerely vnto the kingdome of Christ.
In which duty of exhortation and encouragement, we are to consider two things: first, the persons to whom it is directed, and secondly the matter of the speech it self. The persons are their brethren and sisters, that is, all that belong to Gods election, whether they be called already, or to be called; for these are to be exhorted that they ascend, the other to be encouraged in their course, that with alacrity they may more and more ascend. And because none precisely knoweth who amongst those who are not yet called belong to the election of God, therefore all our neighbours & acquaintance, are to be exhorted and invited that they would ascend with us. And to this duty we are bound by the law of ⟨p. 144⟩charity, whether we respect our love towards God, or towards our neighbours; for our love towards God bindeth us to seek the advancement of his glory, by the enlarging of his kingdom; the which we do, when as by our exhortations and holy example, we gain men to Christ. Again, we ought to love our brethren as our selves; which if we do, then being escaped out of the kingdom of Satan, and ascended into the Kingdom of God, we will use all our care and endeavour, that they likewise may be delivered and ascend with us. And this is done either when one private man doth exhort, persuade, and encourage an other, both by word, and holy example of life, to become a true member of the Kingdom of Christ; or when Gods Ministers by their public preaching perform this duty; which is of all other means most effectual, as being Gods own ordinance, instituted for the gathering together of the Saints, and