A69234:658
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, we here observe, that the Lord is now no more to ⟨p. 272⟩be esteemed of the Church a severe Lord or fearful Judge, 1but as a gracious and loving husband. The consideration whereof serveth, first to replenish our hearts with all joy and comfort, in that we who were enemies and strangers, are admitted into so near league of friendship, and into so inviolable a bond of love and amity with God, as is between a most loving husband, and his beloved spouse. Secondly, it serveth notably for the confirming our saith and affiance in God, in the middest of all wants, dangers and extremities, in that we have a husband who is most able and ready to protect and provide for us. Thirdly, it serveth to confute the doctrine and practise of the Papists, who dare not go directly unto God by prayer, but by the mediation of Saints: for if Christ be espoused unto us, to whom may we prefer our suites with greater boldness and confidence, then unto our gracious husband? or who is more near unto us, then Christ, or more dear unto Christ then we, his beloved spouse, that we should make choice of, to be out Mediator between us and him? And lastly, here we learn how we should perform our obedience unto God, not servilely for fear, as unto a terrible and straight master, but with love and reverence, as unto a gracious husband, whose will we perform, rather to avoid thereby his displeasure, then for any hope of gain, or fear of punishment.
Lastly, wee here obserue, that the Lord is now no more to ⟨p. 272⟩be esteemed of the Church a seuere Lord or fearefull Iudge, 1but as a gratious and louing husband. The consideration whereof serueth, first to replenish our hearts with all ioy and comfort, in that we who were enemies and strangers, are admitted into so neere league of friendship, and into so inuiolable a bond of loue and amitie with God, as is betweene a most louing husband, and his beloued spouse. Secondly, it serueth notably for the confirming our saith and affiance in God, in the middest of all wants, dangers and extremities, in that we haue a husband who is most able and readie to protect and prouide for vs. Thirdly, it serueth to confute the doctrine and practise of the Papists, who dare not goe directly vnto God by prayer, but by the mediation of Saints: for if Christ be espoused vnto vs, to whom may wee preferre our suites with greater boldnesse and confidence, then vnto our gratious husband? or who is more neere vnto vs, then Christ, or more deare vnto Christ then we, his beloued spouse, that we should make choice of, to be out Mediatour betweene vs and him? And lastly, here we learne how we should performe our obedience vnto God, not seruilely for feare, as vnto a terrible and straight master, but with loue and reuerence, as vnto a gratious husband, whose will wee performe, rather to auoid thereby his displeasure, then for any hope of gaine, or feare of punishment.