A69234:915
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, out of the order which the Prophet useth in 1reprehending the peoples sins, we may observe that he first convinceth them of their sins against their neighbours, and then of their sins committed against God: and this method is usual in the Scriptures, which the holy Ghost observeth: first, that he may beat down the pride and vain boasting of hypocrites, who are ready to brag of their knowledge, faith, love of God, and other hidden graces, though they be destitute of the love of their brethren, and barren of good works. And therefore he bringeth such as these, who make a golden show of spiritual and inward graces, in respect of God, to the true touchstone of outward obedience, and the external works of charity and mercy towards their brethren; to the end that if they will not abide this trial, it may appear, that though they make never so glittering a show of spiritual and hidden graces yet they are nothing but ⟨p. 64⟩dross and Copper guilt. And this is the Touchstone which Christ giveth us, to discern a Hypocrite from a sound professor, namely, by their fruits, Mat. 7. 16. By their fruits ye shall know them. And the Apostle James. Chap. 2. 18. Show me thy faith, by thy works. The Apostle John likewise. 1. Joh. 4. 20. If any man say I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar, &c. And Chap. 2. 4. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Verse 9. So our Prophet knowing how ready the hypocrites of his time, were to brag of their Religion towards God, doth convince them of the want hereof, by laying open their injuries and cruelties towards their neighbours. Secondly, this is done for the behoof and benefit of Gods children, who by reason of their natural blindness, and self love, cannot easily spy out their secret and hidden corruptions, but contrariwise are ready to flatter themselves, with an opinion of a great measure of their spiritual graces: these also are to examine themselves by this touch-stone, for their love of God is not much, if their love of their neighbour be but a little: their faith is not strong, if their obedience be but weak: their knowledge is not great, if their practise be but small, and their Religion is rootless, if it be but fruitless.