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 this is the meaning of those words. Out of which we ⟨p. 232⟩may observe how the Lord threateneth one punishment after The Do∣ctrines. another, and causeth his Prophet to denounce great variety of judgements, that so he might fit himself to every ones ¹disposition, and draw all unto God by true repentance. One is touched with the lighter chastisements, others not moved unless they hear of more heavy judgements; one is affected with one kind of punishment, another with such an one as is of a divers quality; some with poverty, some with shame, some with spiritual, some with corporal afflictions: and some are not moved at all unless they hear of utter desolation and destruction; and therefore according to the variety of mens minds the Lord varieth his threatenings, as appeareth in this place. Whereby we may learn, how impenitent and hard hearted we are, seeing the Lord is fain to use so many means, and to try (as it were) so many conclusions for our conversion: and also we may here observe Gods infinite goodness and mercy, which he showeth not only in his promises, but also in his threatenings. For whereas he might justly when we sin utterly destroy us, he giveth us warning by his threatenings, that being moved thereby to repent, we may escape his punishments; yea and that not some few times, for he threateneth often, but seldom punisheth, he denounceth many kinds of judgements before he inflicteth any one of them: whereby it manifestly appeareth, that in his threatenings he aimeth at our conversion, and not at our subversion and destruction; and that he is not willing to punish in his own nature, unless we force him thereunto by our stubborn impenitency.

And this is the meaning of those words. Out of which we ⟨p. 232⟩may obserue how the Lord threatneth one punishment after The Do∣ctrines. another, and causeth his Prophet to denounce great varietie of iudgements, that so hee might fit himselfe to euery ones ¹disposition, and draw all vnto God by true repentance. One is touched with the lighter chastisements, others not moued vnlesse they heare of more heauie iudgements; one is affected with one kind of punishment, another with such an one as is of a diuers qualitie; some with pouertie, some with shame, some with spirituall, some with corporall afflictions: and some are not moued at all vnlesse they heare of vtter desolation and destruction; and therefore according to the varietie of mens mindes the Lord varieth his threatnings, as appeareth in this place. Whereby we may learne, how impenitent and hard hearted wee are, seeing the Lord is faine to vse so many meanes, and to trie (as it were) so many conclusions for our conuersion: and also wee may heere obserue Gods infinite goodnesse and mercie, which hee sheweth not only in his promises, but also in his threatnings. For whereas he might iustly when we sinne vtterly destroy vs, he giueth vs warning by his threatnings, that being moued thereby to repent, wee may escape his punishments; yea and that not some few times, for he threatneth often, but seldome punisheth, he denounceth many kindes of iudgements before he inflicteth any one of them: whereby it manifestly appeareth, that in his threatnings he aimeth at our conuersion, and not at our subuersion and destruction; and that he is not willing to punish in his owne nature, vnlesse we force him thereunto by our stubborne impenitencie.