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…

Where as by mother, we are to understand in general the whole Synagogue & Church of Israel, especially their magistrates, superiors & governors, both ecclesiastical and civil; so by the children we are to understand the particular members of this Church, especially subjects and inferiors. For the Lord contenteth not himself with a general denunciation of his heavy judgements against the whole Church; but he descendeth to particulars, and specially applieth his threatenings to every particular member of this body, that so he may bring the mother and the children, the whole body and the several parts, superiors and inferiors unto true repentance. Superiors when as they consider, that not only they themselves shall have the greatest measure of punishment inflicted on them, because by their authority and example they have bin the ringleaders unto all wickedness; but also that the poor people committed to their charge (whom they ought as tenderly to love as the kind mother her dear children) shall through their bad example and ill government, fall into the like sins, & so be made obnoxious to the like punishments. So likewise inferiors may be drawn to repentance, when as they consider that their following of the example of their superiors, and obeying their authority in evil, will not privilege them from Gods judgements; but being partakers with them in sin, they shall also be partakers of their punishments.

Where as by mother, we are to vnderstand in generall the whole Synagogue & Church of Israel, especially their magistrates, superiors & goueruours, both ecclesiastical and ciuil; so by the children we are to vnderstand the particular members of this Church, especially subiects and inferiours. For the Lord contenteth not himselfe with a generall denunciation of his heauy iudgements against the whole Church; but he descendeth to particulars, and specially applieth his threatnings to euery particular member of this body, that so hee may bring the mother and the children, the whole body and the seuerall parts, superiours and inferiours vnto true repentance. Superiours when as they consider, that not onely they themselues shall haue the greatest measure of punishment inflicted on them, because by their authority and example they haue bin the ringleaders vnto al wickednes; but also that the poore people committed to their charge (whom they ought as tenderly to loue as the kinde mother her deare children) shal through their bad example and ill gouernment, fall into the like sins, & so be made obnoxious to the like punishmēts. So likewise inferiours may be drawne to repentance, when as they consider that their following of the example of their superiours, and obeying their authority in euil, will not priuiledge them frō Gods iudgements; but being partakers with thē in sin, they shall also be partakers of their punishments.