A69234:557
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.
Lastly, because while they conceived any hope of help in their idols, they would easily neglect and contemn Gods threatenings, he taketh away from them this vain confidence, in these words: And no man shall be able to deliver her out of my hands: as though he should say, It may be she will hope, when I have taken from her my benefits, that the sun, stars, planets, and her other idols will supply her wants; it may be she may think, that when I have discovered her filthiness, her lovers will relieve her miseries: but all in vain; for who amongst the gods is able to help, when I who am almighty take in hand to punish her? Well may they behold her abominable filthiness, to her further grief and disgrace; but they shall only look upon her, & not be able to afford her any relief.
Lastly, because while they conceiued any hope of helpe in their idols, they would easily neglect and contemne Gods threatnings, hee taketh away from them this vaine confidence, in these words: And no man shall be able te deliuer her out of my hands: as though he should say, It may be she will hope, when I haue taken from her my benefits, that the sun, starres, planets, and her other idols will supplie her wants; it may be she may thinke, that when I haue discouered her filthines, her louers wil relieue her miseries: but all in vaine; for who amōgst the gods is able to help, whē I who am almightie take in hād to punish her? Wel may they behold her abominable filthines, to her further griefe and disgrace; but they shal only look vpō her, & not be able to afford her any relief.
And this is the meaning of these words. Out of which we 1may first learn, that howsoever the Lord in his mercy, doth long defer our justly deserved punishments, as he did the Israelites, of whom the Prophet speaketh here: yet if his patience and long-suffering do not move us to repentance, the time will come that the Lord will say, as he doth in this place; And now I will discover your lewdness, &c. For as there is a time for mercy, so there is a time for justice, and though the Lord be slow to anger and vengeance, and swift in the course of his grace and goodness, yet he goeth forward as surely and certainly in the way of justice, as in the way of mercy, if we do not meet him in the way, and turn his course by turning unto him by unfeigned repentance. Examples hereof we have in the old world, in the Sodomites, Canaanites, Israelites, &c. And therefore let us seek the Lord whilst he may be found, &c. Isay 55. 6. let us take hold of the acceptable