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…

But let us come to the words themselves; wherein we are to consider first the context, and secondly the benefits promised: ⟨p. 243⟩the context in these words, Therefore behold. This may seem a strange kind of consequence; for in the former verse he had set down their obstinacy in their gross idolatry, and that they were so wholly devoted to their Idols, that they had quite forgotten the true God,: and now he presently inferreth hereupon, that therefore he would allure her, and speak comfortably unto her. But howsoever this may seem but a bad inference, if we regard their sins, upon the recital whereof it should rather have followed, that therefore they should have such punishments inflicted upon them as their sins had deserved; yet it hath good dependence, if we respect Gods infinite mercy, and his eternal purpose, whereby he hath of his free grace and undeserved goodness, ordained to call them, who belong to his election, out of their sins, that being converted they may also be saved. As though he should have said, Seeing they follow their idols with delightful obstinacy, and have altogether forgotten me: and seeing their hearts are so blind and obdurate, that all my punishments will not reclaim them: and finally, seeing it is not my purpose to give them over to destruction, and to suffer them to run headlong to condemnation; therefore I will not let them go forward in their own courses, nor be ruled by their own obstinate wills, for then they would never return unto me, but I will work upon their hard harts, by my Word and Spirit, alluring and persuading them to leave their idols and false worship, and to return unto me, that they may worship me according to my revealed will, and submit themselves unto me in all holy obedience.

But let vs come to the words themselues; wherein we are to consider first the context, and secondly the benefits promised: ⟨p. 243⟩the context in these words, Therefore behold. This may seeme a strange kind of consequence; for in the former verse he had set downe their obstinacie in their grosse idolatrie, and that they were so wholly deuoted to their Idols, that they had quite forgotten the true God,: and now hee presently inferreth hereupon, that therefore he would allure her, and speake comfortablie vnto her. But howsoeuer this may seeme but a bad inference, if we regard their sinnes, vpon the recitall whereof it should rather haue followed, that therefore they should haue such punishments inflicted vpon them as their sinnes had deserued; yet it hath good dependance, if we respect Gods infinite mercie, and his eternall purpose, whereby he hath of his free grace and vndeserued goodnes, ordained to call them, who belong to his election, out of their sinnes, that being conuerted they may also bee saued. As though he should haue said, Seeing they follow their idols with delightfull obstinacie, and haue altogether forgotten me: and seeing their hearts are so blind and obdurate, that all my punishments will not reclaime them: and finally, seeing it is not my purpose to giue them ouer to destruction, and to suffer them to run headlong to condemnation; therefore I will not let them go forward in their owne courses, nor be ruled by their owne obstinate wils, for then they would neuer returne vnto me, but I wil work vpon their hard harts, by my Word and Spirit, alluring and perswading them to leaue their idols and false worship, and to returne vnto me, that they may worship me according to my reuealed will, and submit themselues vnto me in all holy obedience.