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 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 ⟨p. 163⟩to be an harlot, who had forsaken the Lord, and given her self over to commit this spiritual uncleanness, therefore in every corner they erected images and idols, they adorned them with gold and precious ornaments, they in most impudent manner prostituted themselves unto them, to commit spiritual whoredom in the sight of all the world, worshipping and serving them in stead of the true God; and like shameless harlots, they did not only themselves commit this wickedness, but also allured others to go a whoring with them.

But let vs come to the meaning of them. Some vnderstand by fornication of the face, externall idolatrie, and by the adulterie of the breasts, that idolatrie which is in secret committed. But as I take it the Prophets purpose here, is to shew that the people were growne impudent in their sinnes, so that they made an outward profession of them, not caring who beheld them. For before he had shewed that the Lord had diuorced them, and consequently, that they had committed adulterie, and plaied the harlots, for in other cases diuorces are not by God approoued; 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 doe not only in secret commit adulterie, but publikelie make profession of it, as of their trade, decking themselues with such gorgious and garish apparrell, as beseemeth not honest matrons, glauncing with wanton eyes at their louers, painting their faces, and laying out their naked breasts, that they may not onely professe themselues wanton and lasciuious, but also with these baites allure others to commit wickednes with them: so the Church of Israel, liuing in spiritual whoredome, grew to that impudencie in sinne, that shee was not content to commit it in secret, but also to professe it, yea to defend and boast of it; and because she would be known