A69234:933
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.
Neither are we wanting to our neighbours alone, in the 1duties of Justice and Charity; but also unto God, in the duties of piety, and of his worship and service: for if we make a general search through our whole people, we shall find that there is little knowledge of God in the land, in respect of the plentiful means hereof, which the Lord hath granted unto us, above all the nations which are round about us. For how many are there amongst us, who despise and contemn knowledge, and the means of coming by it, continuing in the blindness of ignorance, because they wilfully shut their eyes in the clear light of the Gospel? how many securely neglect it, being wholly taken up with the world, so as they have not any leisure to seek after this precious pearl throughout the whole week? how many are there, who in their outward behaviour make show, that they respect knowledge, and seek after it, that labour in this pursuit so coldly and remissly, that they make it manifest they seek for that which they do not care to find? for how many of those who make some profession of Religion, who come to the Church, and hear the word of God both read and preached, who nevertheless remain children in knowledge, ignorant of the History of the Scriptures, and of the principles of Christian Religion, of our state by nature, of the work of our Redemption wrought by Christ, of the manner and means of our Justification and salvation? how many are there who are not able to give any account of their faith and hope, in any reasonable sort after so many years of instruction? yea, how many are there, who (if we ⟨p. 75⟩set aside the outward Ceremonies, which are subject to the senses) can put no difference between the religion of Christ and Antichrist? and howsoever in words they profess themselves such forward Protestants, that they could be content to burn for their Religion, yet in truth are not able to put a difference between the doctrine of our Church, and refined Popery? and as many amongst us spit at the Devils name, and defy him in word, and yet in their lives and conversation remain his vassals, being at his beck to do him service; so many show an outward detestation of the Pope and popery, but yet their hatred extendeth no further, then the name;
Neither are we wanting to our neighbours alone, in the 1