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…

Secondly, he setteth down their progress in the particular kinds of their idolatry: first, that they burnt incense, that is, performed unto them idolatrous service, in offering unto them sacrifices and oblations: secondly, that they were so bewitched with that pleasure and delight, which they took in their idolatry, that they thought no pomp, cost, decking with precious ornaments, sufficient to set forth their idolatry, in these words, And she decked her self with her earrings, and her jewels: where he still alludeth to the manner of harlots; for as they being to come into the company of their lovers, do use all their art and skill in setting themselves forth, by putting on their richest ornaments, that by these baits, they may more forcibly allure them to commit uncleanness with them: so these idolaters, when as they were to celebrate their solemn festivals, in the service of their idols, placed a great part of their superstitious devotion, in decking and adorning both themselves, and their idol gods, that so they might take greater pleasure in their idolatry; and with these pompous shows entice others to join with them, in committing this spiritual whoredom. And here we are further to observe, that he calleth them her jewels, and her earrings, to note unto them, that they had not received this whorish and idolatrous manner of worship from the Lord, but that it was their own, not enjoined by God, but hammered out in the forge of their own inventions, and cast in the mould of their own brain.

Secondly, he setteth downe their progresse in the particular kinds of their idolatrie: first, that they burnt incense, that is, performed vnto them idolatrous seruice, in offering vnto them sacrifices and oblations: secondly, that they were so bewitched with that pleasure and delight, which they tooke in their idolatrie, that they thought no pompe, cost, decking with precious ornaments, sufficient to set forth their idolatrie, in these words, And shee decked her selfe with her earings, and her iewels: where he still alludeth to the manner of harlots; for as they being to come into the companie of their louers, do vse all their art and skill in setting themselues foorth, by putting on their richest ornaments, that by these baits, they may more forciblie allure them to commit vncleannesse with them: so these idolaters, when as they were to celebrate their solemne festiuals, in the seruice of their idols, placed a great part of their superstitious deuotion, in decking and adorning both themselues, and their idol gods, that so they might take greater pleasure in their idolatrie; and with these pompous shewes intice others to ioyne with them, in committing this spirituall whoredome. And here we are further to obserue, that hee calleth them her iewels, and her earings, to note vnto them, that they had not receiued this whorish and idolatrous maner of worship from the Lord, but that it was their owne, not enioyned by God, but hammered out in the forge of their owne inuentions, and cast in the mould of their owne braine.