A69234:927
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.
Lastly, as there is no place left for truth in mens hearts 1and tongues, so neither can it easily be found in their actions and behaviour, for as this age is double hearted and double tongued, so also it is full of double dealing; and as the Prophet speaketh, Justice standeth a far off. Isaiah. 59. 14. For in this faithless age, there is no respect of keeping promise, 2though it hath been backed with many protestations, when as it may be broken with some small advantage; neither is there any cable so strong which can bind men to observe covenants concluded, when their fidelity is attended with the least loss or inconvenience. In ancient times when men esteemed their credit more then wealth, their word was sufficient in any contract; but when truth began to fail the law provided for better security, that covenants should be expressed and recorded in writing, and injustice yet prevailing, seals unto these writings were annexed: But in this truthless age all this is little worth unless men be bound in a double forfeiture of wealth, from forfeiting of their honesty and credit, yea so boundless is mens falsehood in these times, that bonds are not sufficient to bind men to just and honest dealing, unless they be also chained in statutes and recognisances.
Lastly, as there is no place left for truth in mens hearts 1and tongues, so neither can it easily bee found in their actions and behauiour, for as this age is double hearted and double tongued, so also it is full of double dealing; and as the Prophet speaketh, Iustice standeth a farre off. Esay. 59. 14. For in this faithlesse age, there is no respect of keeping promise, 2though it hath beene backed with many protestations, when as it may bee broken with some small aduantage; neither is there any cable so strong which can bind men to obserue couenants concluded, when their fidelitie is attended with the least losse or inconuenience. In ancient times when men esteemed their credit more then wealth, their word was sufficient in any contract; but when truth beganne to faile the law prouided for better securitie, that couenants should bee expressed and recorded in writing, and iniustice yet preuailing, seales vnto these writings were annexed: But in this truthles age all this is little worth vnlesse men be bound in a double forfeyture of wealth, from forfeyting of their honesty and credit, yea so boundlesse is mens falshood in these times, that bonds are not sufficient to bind men to iust and honest dealing, vnlesse they be also chained in statutes and recognisances.