A69234:498
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.
Now this hedge of thorns and strong wall, of which he speaketh, are crosses and afflictions, as the diseases of the body, sorrow of mind, war, famine, poverty and such like, which are compared to thorns: for as when thorns lie in our way, they prick, molest and grieve us, keeping us from going forward, unless it be with great pain and difficulty: so in the way of our pilgrimage, these thorns of afflictions vex and trouble us, by tormenting the body, and wounding the mind. And in this sense is the word taken, Jos. 23. 13. where the Lord threateneth, that the cursed nations, whom 1the Israelites had not cast out, should be as whips on their sides, and thorns in their eyes, that is, causes of their great affliction and molestation. So Ezech. 28. 24. The Lord promiseth, ⟨p. 195⟩2that the Zidonites should be no more a pricking thorn to the house of Israel. Whereas therefore the Lord threateneth, that he would stop their way with thorns, and with a wall, the meaning is, that he would keep them from following their Idols, by afflictions; and if lesser afflictions would not contain them, he would inflict upon them such grievous calamities, as like a strong wall should keep them in and hinder them from following their false gods. By which, as he understandeth in general, all the afflictions and miseries which he sent amongst them; so especially, their siege and captivity by the Assyrians: for when they were besieged by them, and when being vanquished, they were led away captive; then they were hedged in, and compassed with a strong wall, so as they could not as in former times, go to worship their golden calves in Dan and Bethel.
Now this hedge of thornes and strong wall, of which he speaketh, are crosses and afflictions, as the diseases of the bodie, sorrow of mind, warre, famine, pouertie and such like, which are compared to thornes: for as when thornes lie in our way, they prick, molest and grieue vs, keeping vs from going forward, vnlesse it be with great paine and difficultie: so in the way of our pilgrimage, these thornes of afflictions vex and trouble vs, by tormenting the bodie, and wounding the minde. And in this sense is the word taken,