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…

The meaning therefore is, that as when he had brought his people into the wilderness, he spake unto them, delivering his law, unto which were annexed manifold promises of his great benefits, by which the people for the present were somewhat comforted in the middest of the afflictions which they suffered in the wilderness; so he would in the time of the Gospel, after he had delivered his people out of the thraldom of sin and Satan, speak comfortably unto them whilst they were vexed and molested with manifold afflictions in the wilderness of the world, that so being filled with consolation, they might patiently and cheerfully through the middest of these miseries march towards their heavenly country. Now this speech of comfort of which he here speaketh, is nothing else but the glad tidings of the Gospel, wherein we are assured of our deliverance out of our spiritual thraldom unto sin and Satan, of the free pardon and remission of all our sins, of our peace and reconciliation with God, and of everlasting happiness which Christ by his death and merits hath purchased for us. The which speech of the Gospel is much more effectual for our comfort and consolation, then the speech of the Law. For then the Lord spake to the ear, but now he speaketh to the heart; that comfort was but for the present, because being grounded ⟨p. 247⟩upon the condition of their obedience to the law, that proving impossible their comfort was changed into horror and despair; but this is eternal, having his foundation not in our own works and worthiness, but upon the free mercy of God, and merits of Christ, apprehended by a lively faith. And lastly, because the Gospel offereth unto us far greater benefits, then we are promised in the Law, and therefore filleth our hearts with greater comfort. And of this consolation the Apostle speaketh, 2. Cor. 1. 3. 4. 5. 7. 6. Act. 9. 31. ¹Of which our Saviour Christ is the principal cause, and therefore he is called the consolation of Israel: Luk. 2. 25.

The meaning therefore is, that as when hee had brought his people into the wildernesse, he spake vnto them, deliuering his law, vnto which were annexed manifold promises of his great benefits, by which the people for the present were somewhat comforted in the middest of the afflictions which they suffered in the wildernesse; so hee would in the time of the Gospell, after hee had deliuered his people out of the thraldome of sin and Satan, speake comfortably vnto them whilest they were vexed and molested with manifold afflictions in the wildernesse of the world, that so being filled with consolation, they might patiently and cheerefully through the middest of these miseries march towards their heauenly countrie. Now this speech of comfort of which he here speaketh, is nothing else but the glad tidings of the Gospell, wherein we are assured of our deliuerance out of our spirituall thraldome vnto sinne and Satan, of the free pardon and remission of all our sinnes, of our peace and reconciliation with God, and of euerlasting happinesse which Christ by his death and merits hath purchased for vs. The which speech of the Gospell is much more effectuall for our comfort and consolation, then the speech of the Law. For then the Lord spake to the eare, but now hee speaketh to the heart; that comfort was but for the present, because being grounded