A69234:709
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.
And so much for the perpetuity of this spiritual marriage. 1In the next place he setteth down the manner how, and the means whereby he would make his covenant perpetual and everlasting; namely, by removing all causes and means whereby it might be violated; and by tying the faithful unto himself by such inviolable bands, as it should not be possible for any thing whatsoever to cause a divorce and separation. All which is signified in these words; I will marry 2thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgement, &c. Where the Lord showeth first, that whereas sin and unrighteousness might be a sufficient cause to make a divorce, and break off the perpetuity of the Churches marriage with him; for what communion hath light with darkness, righteousness with 3unrighteousness? he would therefore marry the Church unto him in righteousness, that is, he would make her righteous, first by washing away her sins with his own most precious blood, and imputing unto her his righteousness, full satisfaction, and perfect obedience. Of which the Apostle speaketh, 4Rom. 5. 17. 19. And secondly, by working in her inherent righteousness, that is sanctification, integrity, sincerity, and ⟨p. 297⟩5uprightness of heart, whereby it should come to pass, that howsoever she might fall through infirmity, yet she should never fall away; though she may offend her husband, by her corruptions and imperfections, yet she should never forsake him, nor desist in her faith and holy obedience. So that neither her sins past, nor her sins to come, should be able to separate her from the Lord her husband: not her sins past, because they should be blotted out of remembrance, and washed away by Christs blood, nor her sins to come, for as much as she should be endued with such sincerity and indignity of heart, that she should never sin with full consent of will, nor ever leave the Lord to commit spiritual adultery with sin and Satan. Neither should want of righteousness cause her to be rejected, seeing she should be adorned with the glorious robe of Christs righteousness imputed unto her; and also by virtue of Gods Spirit dwelling in her, she should be enabled to walk before the Lord in the integrity and uprightness of her heart, endeavouring to perform all duties of holiness and righteousness unto him.