A69234:903
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, in that this impiety and neglect of Religion, did not only lurk in some few corners, but overspread the whole land: neither were there only some few men tainted ⟨p. 58⟩with these vices and corruptions, but generally the whole body of the people. So that they did not only hide these sins as being ashamed of them, but being come to be as it were a common fashion, they impudently professed and defended them.
Secondly, in that this impietie and neglect of Religion, did not onely lurke in some few corners, but ouerspread the whole land: neyther were there onely some few men tainted ⟨p. 58⟩with these vices and corruptions, but generally the whole body of the people. So that they did not onely hide these sinnes as being ashamed of them, but being come to bee as it were a common fashion, they impudently professed and defended them.
And so much for the meaning of this first Verse: the 1doctrines which are to be observed are these. First, we here learn that if Gods Prophets have long contended with a people in Gods cause, as his advocates, and do not prevail with them, by causing them to humble themselves before him by true repentance, then the Lord will take his cause into his own hands, and ceasing to contend with them any longer by his word and spirit, will prosecute his controversy with them by afflictions and punishments; and if having often sent his Ambassadors with reasonable conditions of peace, men neglect them, and refuse to hearken unto their embassy, then will this powerful king march against them with an army of his judgements, and never cease encountering them with his plagues, till he hath either humbled or destroyed them. And this appeareth in this place, as also Gen. 6. 3. In the example of the Jews, led captive into Babylon,