A69234:693
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.
But first of all, the union beginneth between the Church and Christs humane nature, and then by means hereof, it is united to the divine nature likewise; for seeing there was no proportion between us and God, because he was infinite, and we finite, therefore there could be no union, but by our mediator Jesus Christ God and man; but being united unto the manhood of Christ, we are hereby also united to his Godhead: neither can distance of place hinder this real and substantial union, seeing it is spiritual, the chief bond of this union being the holy Ghost, who filleth all places; and seeing in an earthly marriage, distance of place cannot frustrate or take away the union which is between man and wife, much less can it break off this heavenly and spiritual union between Christ and his Church.
But first of all, the vnion beginneth betweene the Church and Christs humane nature, and then by meanes hereof, it is vnited to the diuine nature likewise; for seeing there was no proportion betweene vs and God, because he was infinite, and we finite, therefore there could be no vnion, but by our mediator Iesus Christ God and man; but being vnited vnto the manhood of Christ, wee are hereby also vnited to his Godhead: neither can distance of place hinder this reall and substantiall vnion, seeing it is spirituall, the chiefe bond of this vnion being the holy Ghost, who filleth all places; and seeing in an earthly mariage, distance of place cannot frustrate or take away the vnion which is betweene man and wife, much lesse can it breake off this heauenly and spirituall vnion betweene Christ and his Church.
Fifthly, as there are divers special ends of the marriage between 1man and wife: as 1. For their mutual good and comfort, man being the head and guide of his wife, and the wife being a helper to her husband: 2. For the avoiding of fornication: 3. For generation of children: So likewise our spiritual marriage with Christ hath the same ends. For it is instituted by God: first, for their mutual good, namely, for the good of Christ, because it is good for the husband to be with his spouse, it is profitable for the head to be joined with the members, it is for the glory of a King to be near his subjects, it tendeth to the perfection of the foundation, to be joined with the rest of the building: it is good also for the Church to be joined in marriage with Christ, because in him she hath all her good, the pardon of her sins, reconciliation