A69234:495
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 that it is to be understood of the elect only, it may appear, first, because the Lord doth not lay thorns in the way of the reprobate, to discourage and hinder them from their idolatry, and other wickedness, but leaveth them to their own wills and lusts, to run on without impediment in the broad way, which leadeth to destruction; but he crosseth those in their wicked designs, who belong to his election, and either first or last he hindereth them in their wicked ways, not suffering them to run on in their course of sin, into which their corrupt flesh leadeth them. Secondly, it is said in the 7. vers. that being thus crossed in their purposes, they should, having come to a sense and feeling of their misery, return unto the Lord by true repentance; which cannot be understood of the reprobate idolaters, but only of the elect.
And that it is to be vnderstood of the elect onely, it may appeare, first, because the Lord doth not lay thornes in the way of the reprobate, to discourage and hinder them from their idolatrie, and other wickednesse, but leaueth them to their owne wils and lustes, to run on without impediment in the broad way, which leadeth to destruction; but he crosseth those in their wicked designes, who belong to his election, and either first or last he hindereth thē in their wicked waies, not suffering them to run on in their course of sin, into which their corrupt flesh leadeth them. Secondly, it is said in the 7. vers. that being thus crossed in their purposes, they should, hauing come to a sense and feeling of their miserie, returne vnto the Lord by true repentance; which cannot bee vnderstood of the reprobate idolaters, but only of the elect.
And so much for the persons. In the punishment it self is expressed, first the cause thereof, secondly the quality of the ⟨p. 194⟩punishment, thirdly, the end why it is inflicted. The cause in these words, Therefore behold: which have relation to the former verse, and point out the sin, which was the cause of this punishment; as though he should say, Because you have bin so obstinate & impudent in your idolatries, as that you have not stuck to say openly, that you would still go after your lovers, therefore you shall not have your wills, nor be able to perform your wicked purposes; for I will lay thorns in your way, and so hinder you, that you shall not go forward in your course.