A69234:430
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.
And so much concerning the divorce. Now the end why the Lord would have it denounced, is twofold, first, that hereby they might be moved to repent of their wickedness; and secondly that repenting, they might escape punishment; verse. 3. The first end is expressed in these words; that she may take away her fornications out of her sight, (or from her face) and her adulteries from between her breasts. In which 1words the Lord showeth the cause, why he would have the divorce between him, and the Church of Israel proclaimed, namely, not for any hatred of her person, but that being brought unto a sight of their sins, they might repent of them, and so forsaking their spiritual whoredoms, they might be received again of the Lord as his spouse, as it is in the latter part of the chapter.
And so much concerning the diuorce. Now the end why the Lord would haue it denounced, is twofold, first, that hereby they might be mooued to repent of their wickednes; and secondly that repenting, they might escape punishment; verse. 3. The first end is expressed in these words; that she may take away her fornications out of her sight, (or from her face) and her adulteries from betweene her breasts. In which 1words the Lord sheweth the cause, why hee would haue the diuorce betweene him, and the Church of Israel proclaimed, namely, not for any hatred of her person, but that being brought vnto a sight of their sinnes, they might repent of them, and so forsaking their spirituall whoredomes, they might be receiued againe of the Lord as his spouse, as it is in the latter part of the chapter.
- 1Exposition.
But let us come to the meaning of them. Some understand by fornication of the face, external idolatry, and by the adultery of the breasts, that idolatry which is in secret committed. But as I take it the Prophets purpose here, is to show that the people were grown impudent in their sins, so that they made an outward profession of them, not caring who beheld them. For before he had showed that the Lord had divorced them, and consequently, that they had committed adultery, and played the harlots, for in other cases divorces are not by God approved; and now he intimateth that they had the conditions and qualities of an harlot; for as harlots in continuance of time grow past shame, so that they do not only in secret commit adultery, but publicly make profession of it, as of their trade, decking themselves with such gorgeous and garish apparel, as beseemeth not honest matrons, glancing with wanton eyes at their lovers, painting their faces, and laying out their naked breasts, that they may not only profess themselves wanton and lascivious, but also with these baits allure others to commit wickedness with them: so the Church of Israel, living in spiritual whoredom, grew to that impudency in sin, that she was not content to commit it in secret, but also to profess it, yea to defend and boast of it; and because she would be known