A69234:719
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.
Secondly, we may observe that the Lord alone is the author of this spiritual marriage: for when we neither seek nor desire it, he woos us, and also inclines us to grant his suite. And therefore let the Lord have the whole glory of his own work, and let not us rob him of any part thereof by ascribing it to our own free will, merits, or worthiness.
Secondly, wee may obserue that the Lord alone is the author of this spirituall mariage: for when wee neither seeke nor desire it, hee wooes vs, and also inclines vs to grant his suite. And therefore let the Lord haue the whole glorie of his owne worke, and let not vs rob him of any part thereof by ascribing it to our owne free will, merits, or worthinesse.
Thirdly, we here leanre what is the great dignity and excellency 1of the Church, and of every faithful man: for howsoever they are basely esteemed of in the world, and accounted ⟨p. 032⟩the very offscouring of all things, yet in truth there is none equal with them in honour and worthiness, seeing it hath pleased the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings to espouse them unto himself. When Saul offered David his daughter in marriage, he thought it such an high degree of honour, as he was altogether unworthy of; so that in sight of his own meanness he crieth out, What am I, and what is my life, or the 2family of my father in Israel, that I should be son in law to the King? how much more then may we filled with ravishing, wonder, exclaim, what are we dust and ashes, miserable and wretched men, that we should be advanced to this royal dignity, as to be the spouse of the glorious King of heaven and earth.
Thirdly, we here leanre what is the great dignitie and excellencie 1