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…

And so much for the meaning of the words. The doctrines which we are hence to observe are these. First, we learn that The Do∣ctrines. the Lord esteemeth ingratitude as a grievous sin, and punisheth ¹it with sharp afflictions even in his own Church and people. The which sin is committed when either through ignorance we know not, or through wilfulness will not acknowledge; or both knowing and acknowledging, yet through negligence do not return thanks and praise ⟨p. 212⟩unto the Lord for all his benefits: and secondly, when as in whole or in part, we attribute the praise of the gifts which we have received from the Lord, unto any other, as authors and principal causes thereof. And thus do men offend when as they ascribe extraordinary and unexpected blessings to chance and fortune, and not to Gods providence; when as they ascribe their wealth to their own wit, labour, or friends, and do not know and acknowledge the Lord to be the chief author and bestower of the riches which they enjoy, or else do not return thanks and praise unto him for his benefits; when as they ascribe their health in the first place to their good diet, or to the Physician, and not to the Lord who is the chief preserver and restorer thereof. But most grievously in this respect do they offend, who rob the Lord of those thanks and that praise, which is due unto him for his spiritual benefits. For the greater the gifts are, the greater praise and thanks is due to the bestower, and consequently the greater injury and ingratitude when he is robbed of his right. And thus do those offend who ascribe the praise of these benefits unto the intercession of Saints, and so rob Christ of his glory, who alone by his intercession obtaineth them for us at his fathers hands: thus do they offend, who ascribe their justification and salvation either in whole or in part, to their works and worthiness, or unto the merits of Saints, which is to be attributed only to Gods free mercy and Christs all-sufficient merits: thus do they offend who do not know, or acknowledge, that it is the blood of Christ alone which washeth away all our sins, but think that they have remission, by Masses, popish pardons, penance, pilgrimages, oblations, Saints relics, holy water and such like. All which and all other of the like kind are esteemed as idolatrous unthankfulness in Gods sight.

And so much for the meaning of the words. The doctrines which we are hence to obserue are these. First, we learne that The Do∣ctrines. the Lord esteemeth ingratitude as a grieuous sinne, and punisheth