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…

Thirdly, whereas the Lord saith, that she shall stay for ¹him in her afflicted estate, and shall not play the harlot, &c. hence we learn, that the reason why the Lord continueth to restrain his favour, and to afflict his people, is not because he hateth them, but that hereby they may be moved more seriously to repent, and to fly from their sins with greater detestation, when they see these miserable effects that follow them. If our heavenly father, when we grievously offend, should cocker us, and show no sign of his displeasure, or being somewhat offended, should presently be reconciled us; we finding no bitterness neither of Gods anger, nor of affliction, which might cause us to distaste the sweet pleasures of sin, would never soundly and seriously repent of them: but when we apprehend his heavy displeasure, and cannot with much entreaty be assured of reconciliation; when we feel the smart of sharp afflictions, and can by no means find ease, then we call our sins to remembrance, and are grieved at the heart that we have committed them; then we hate and detest them, as being the fountain from which do flow these waters of bitterness; and then we resolve with our selves, that if our heavenly father will but this once forgive, and be reconciled unto us: if he will but cause the wonted beams of his favour to shine upon us, and ease us of the heavy burden of our afflictions, we will never again be persuaded so by our sins to provoke his displeasure, though all the profit, pleasures, and preferment of the world were offered unto us.

Thirdly, whereas the Lord saith, that shee shall stay for ¹him in her afflicted estate, and shall not play the harlot, &c. hence we learne, that the reason why the Lord continueth to restraine his fauour, and to afflict his people, is not because he hateth them, but that hereby they may bee moued more seriously to repent, and to flye from their sinnes with greater detestation, when they see these miserable effects that follow them. If our heauenly father, when wee grieuously offend, should cocker vs, and shew no signe of his displeasure, or being somewhat offended, should presently be reconciled vs; we finding no bitternesse neyther of Gods anger, nor of affliction, which might cause vs to distast the sweet pleasures of sin, would neuer soundly and seriously repent of them: but when we apprehend his heauie displeasure, and cannot with much entreaty be assured of reconciliation; when wee feele the smart of sharp afflictions, and can by no meanes find ease, then we call our sinnes to remembrance, and are grieued at the heart that we haue committed them; then we hate and detest them, as being the fountaine from which doe flow these waters of bitternes; and then we resolue with our selues, that if our heauenly father will but this once forgiue, and be reconciled vnto vs: if he will but cause the wonted beames of his fauour to shine vpon vs, and ease vs of the heauie burthen of our afflictions, we will neuer againe be perswaded so by our sins to prouoke his displeasure, though all the profit, pleasures, and preferment of the world were offred vnto vs.