A69234:9
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.
The book of holy Scriptures (Right reverend father in God) is as the princely Prophet David calleth it, A lantern to our 1feet, and a light unto our paths; and as the Apostle Peter termeth it, it is As a candle shining 2in an obscure place, which so illuminateth the eyes of our minds, through the inward operation of Gods Spirit, that we are thereby enabled in this vale of darkness to make choice of the narrow path of righteousness, which conducteth us to Gods kingdom, and to decline from the byways of sin and error, which lead to destruction: yea it is a glorious and bright shining sun, which (as it is said of Christ the author of this word) doth give light unto them that sit in darkness and in the shadow 3of death, guiding their feet into the way of peace. But ⟨image 3⟩withal it is a certain truth, that this heavenly light is in some places more resplendent, in others more obscure; this candle sometimes shineth so clearly, that it giveth light to the whole household, and sometimes it burneth so dimly, that those only discern it, who have better insight, & approach nearer unto it by diligent study and meditation. This glorious sun in some places shineth clearly, and evidently showeth it self by his own light; but otherwhiles it is shadowed with the clouds of obscurity, and the foggy 4mists of our ignorance, interposing between it and us, do hide it from our sight. The which (no doubt) the holy Ghost hath purposely affected, that neither the great easiness of holy writ might cause in any idle neglect, nor yet the inextricable difficulty might discourage any from reading of it; that neither the simple plainness thereof might work in the wise and learned cause of contempt, seeing in many places they might have a fit subject, whereupon they might exercise their greatest learning and deepest judgement; nor the obscure profoundness of it might make the simple despair of receiving any fruit by their studies and labours, seeing a great part thereof is so plain and easy, that it is within the compass of a child's capacity. And finally, as he hath provided milk for babes, so also stronger meat for those who are of riper age, that none who are invited to this heavenly banquet might go away with empty stomachs for want of convenient food, whereby they should be nourished.