A69234:516
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.
Secondly, we may observe our natural proneness unto idolatry, for not only we easily fall into it, but being fallen, we are hardly recovered and recalled from this sin: no, though the Lord to his word showing his truth, and the falsehood and abominableness of idolatry, do also add his rods of afflictions, that at least sense of pain may make us weary of our sins. And therefore it is not to be wondered at, that the most part of the world do forsake Gods pure worship, and live in idolatry, seeing mans nature is so inclined thereunto, that though he smart for it, he will not leave it: and how much more then will he embrace it, when he is allured and drawn unto that, which of his own nature he is prone unto, by pleasures, profit, and preferments? for the Lord doth not hedge in all with afflictions, which resolve to follow their lovers, but only those, whom it is his purpose to convert, as belonging to his eternal election.
Secondly, we may obserue our naturall pronenesse vnto idolatrie, for not only we easilie fall into it, but being fallen, we are hardly recouered and recalled from this sinne: no, though the Lord to his word shewing his truth, and the falshood and abominablenes of idolatrie, do also adde his rods of afflictions, that at least sense of paine may make vs wearie of our sinnes. And therefore it is not to be wondered at, that the most part of the world do forsake Gods pure worship, and liue in idolatrie, seeing mans nature is so inclined thereunto, that though he smart for it, he will not leaue it: and how much more then will he embrace it, when he is allured and drawne vnto that, which of his owne nature he is prone vnto, by pleasures, profit, and preferments? for the Lord doth not hedge in all with afflictions, which resolue to follow their louers, but onely those, whom it is his purpose to conuert, as belonging to his eternall election.
Thirdly, we may observe that affliction in it self, is not sufficient to make us forsake our sins, and to turn unto the 1Lord by true repentance, unless it be sanctified and made effectual for this purpose, by the inward working of Gods Spirit. For though the Lord had hedged his people in with afflictions, that they might not go forward in their idolatries: yet it is said here, that notwithstanding all this, they the more followed and sought after their lovers. So Pharaoh