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…

And this is the meaning of the words: the doctrines which out of them may be gathered are divers. First whereas Doctrine. the Israelites who were gods people, and professed his religion, did not only fall into these sins, but were grown into a habit of committing them; hence we learn what is the nature of sin; if we yield never so little unto it, it will gain upon us; if we entertain it but once it will come again without bidding, and if we bid it well-come the second time, it will grow so strong and impudent that it will not away but become a daily guest, yea and it will not come alone, but bring with it his companions also. The best way therefore to be rid of it, is when it first offereth ¹to enter to shut the doors of our harts against it, and to turn it back with a frowning countenance; for if we do not give it a repulse, it will continually haunt us, till at last with his pleasing allurements it have persuaded us, to keep open house for the free entertainment of all sin and wickedness. But if we have already fallen into any sin, then our best course is quickly to expel it, and to take heed that it do not take possession of us, and so pleading custom grow to a habit and second nature: For it is our mortal ⟨p. 89⟩enemy, and therefore as it is the best course for our safety, to keep it from entering into our coasts: so it is next the best, to give it a sharp encounter at the first entrance, and to keep it from fortifying and entrenching it self against us. It is a poison, and therefore we hazard the life of our souls, if we drink of it; but if we have already swallowed it down, our best course is presently to cast it up again, before it have dispersed it self into the vital parts, for then our case will be desperate. It is the Ague of the soul, for the curing whereof, the best method in spiritual Physic, is to prevent it before it come, and to take away the causes thereof, or if through our ignorance and unwariness we are fallen into it: we are at the first to apply speedy means for our recovery, for if it once seize upon us we shall not leave sin till sin leave us.

And this is the meaning of the words: the doctrines which out of them may be gathered are diuers. First whereas Doctrine. the Israelits who were gods people, and professed his religion, did not onely fall into these sinnes, but were growne into a habite of committing them; hence wee learne what is the nature of sinne; if wee yeeld neuer so little vnto it, it will gaine vpon vs; if wee entertaine it but once it will come againe without bidding, and if wee bid it wel-come the second time, it will grow so strong and impudent that it will not away but become a dayly guest, yea and it will not come alone, but bring with it his companions also. The best way therefore to bee ridde of it, is when it first offereth