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…

Lastly, as hereby we may be put in mind of our honour ¹and dignity: so also of our duty, namely, that being married unto Christ, we labour to perform unto him all duties, required of a good wife, seeing he is wanting in nothing which belongeth unto a most gracious and kind husband; that is, let us love him above all the world, and show our love by our readiness to lay down our lives for his sake, who is our loving husband, seeing he hath laid down his for us, even whilst we were his enemies. Let us yield unto him voluntary and absolute obedience, and submit our selves to be ruled and guided by his word and Spirit. Let us keep our conjugal fidelity, reserving our selves pure and undefiled, as from all other sins, so especially from idolatry and superstition. Let us who have communion both in Christ and all his benefits, not grudge to give our selves and the best things we have unto him for the advancement of his glory, and the furthering of his worship and service; especially let us give unto him our hearts, which he so much desireth. Let us reverence him as our heavenly husband, fearing his displeasure as the greatest evil, and mourning for no loss so much as for the loss of his favour. Let us rest & wholly rely on his providence, for the supply of all our wants, and for protection from all dangers. In a word, let us labour to perform all duties which belong to such a husband, and to deck our selves with all graces, which may make us appear amiable in his ⟨p. 304⟩sight; and so we shall confirm our selves in this assurance, that we are espoused unto Christ, and shall be made partakers not only of himself, but also of all his benefits.

Lastly, as hereby wee may be put in minde of our honour ¹and dignitie: so also of our dutie, namely, that being married vnto Christ, wee labour to performe vnto him all duties, required of a good wife, seeing he is wanting in nothing which belongeth vnto a most gratious and kinde husband; that is, let vs loue him aboue all the world, and shew our loue by our readinesse to lay downe our liues for his sake, who is our louing husband, seeing he hath laid down his for vs, euen whilest wee were his enemies. Let vs yeeld vnto him voluntarie and absolute obedience, and submit our selues to bee ruled and guided by his word and Spirit. Let vs keepe our coniugall fidelitie, reseruing our selues pure and vndefiled, as from all other sinnes, so especially from idolatrie and superstition. Let vs who haue communion both in Christ and all his benefits, not grudge to giue our selues and the best things we haue vnto him for the aduancement of his glorie, and the furthering of his worship and seruice; especially let vs giue vnto him our hearts, which he so much desireth. Let vs reuerence him as our heauenly husband, fearing his displeasure as the greatest euill, and mourning for no losse so much as for the losse of his fauour. Let vs rest & wholly relie on his prouidence, for the supplie of all our wants, and for protection from all dangers. In a word, let vs labour to performe all duties which belong to such a husband, and to deck our selues with all graces, which may make vs appeare amiable in his