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 these words. The instructions The Do∣ctrines. which arise out of them for our own use, are these. First, we may observe, what is the cause which hath deprived us of the ¹dominion, use and benefit, which we had by creation, over and by all the creatures; namely our sins; for this privilege was granted unto man, upon the condition of his obedience unto God, which because he observed not, therefore he lost his rule and dominion, right and interest he had unto them; so that what rule he hath over them, and use of them, whilst he continueth in the state of disobedience, he enjoyeth it not by any lawful right, but by tyrannical usurpation, under which thraldom the creatures groan, earnestly desiring to be delivered from it, Rom. 8. 22. So that howsoever in the ²creation, all the creatures were made for man, subjected unto his government, and appointed for his use, and man only was made for God and his service; yet after man by his fall had disabled himself, so as he neither could nor would serve his Creator, the creatures were freed from the subjection and slavish use of man; and in stead of serving and obeying him, they are ready every one in their place, to be the executioners of Gods just judgements, inflicted for his sin and rebellion: like servants who set themselves against their master, when he traitorously setteth himself against his Prince, who is the chief Lord and Sovereign over them all. When as therefore we hear of losses and spoils by fire or water, of the hurt or death of men by the brute beasts, and serpents, of dearth and scarcity caused by too much rain or drought, cankers, caterpillars and such like, all and every of these are so many remembrancers to put us in mind of our sins and rebellion against God, and so many monitors to warn us, that we forsake our wicked courses, and turn to the Lord by unfeigned repentance.

And this is the meaning of these words. The instrustions The Do∣ctrines. which arise out of them for our owne vse, are these. First, we may obserue, what is the cause which hath depriued vs of the ¹dominion, vse and benefit, which we had by creation, ouer and by all the creatures; namely our sins; for this priuiledge was granted vnto man, vpon the condition of his obedience vnto God, which because he obserued not, therefore he lost his rule and dominion, right and interest he had vnto them; so that what rule he hath ouer them, and vse of them, whilest he continueth in the state of disobedience, he enioyeth it not by any lawfull right, but by tyrannicall vsurpation, vnder which thraldome the creatures grone, earnestly desiring to be deliuered from it,