A77979:1042
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of the prophesy of Hosea· Being first delivered in several lectures at Michaels Cornhill London. By Jeremiah Burroughs. Being the fifth book, published by Thomas Goodwin, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simson William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of the prophesy of Hosea· Being first delivered in several lectures at Michaels Cornhil London. By Jeremiah Burroughs. Being the fifth book, published by Thomas Goodwyn, William Greenhil, Sydrach Simson William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.
London: printed for Peter Cole, 1650
Title page typeset from the transcription.
AN EXPOSITION Of the PROPHESY of HOSEA. › Chapter 5 › Verse 10
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.
2. They break all bounds: That is, They break all Laws and Liberties; they will not be bound by Laws, saying thus, Laws were made for subjects, and not for Princes. And thus these Princes broke the bounds. Hence we may see what corruption there is in the hearts of men naturally, and this is furthered by evil Counsellors. I have read of Cambyses who had a desire to marry his Sister, but questioning whether he might do it or no, he calls his judges together to give him their advice, they told him, there was a Law against it; but say they, Ye Princes of Persia may do what you will: They were so far from dissuading him from that wicked act, that they gave him encouragement to it. And hath not our time afforded such Counsellors to our Princes?
2. They break all bounds: That is, They break all Laws and Liberties; they wil not be bound by Laws, saying thus, Laws were made for subjects, and not for Princes. And thus these Princes broke the bounds. Hence we may see what corruption there is in the hearts of men naturally, and this is furthered by evil Counsellors. I have read of Cambyses who had a desire to marry his Sister, but questioning whether he might do it or no, he cals his judges together to give him their advice, they told him, there was a Law against it; but say they, Ye Princes of Persia may do what you will: They were so far from diswading him from that wicked act, that they gave him incouragement to it. And hath not our time afforded such Counsellors to our Princes?
2. They break the bonds of Religion. Therefore Interpreters conceive that our Prophet Hosea prophesied in Ahaz his time, when he provoked God so by Idolatry, setting up the abomination of desolation. And this is the great breach of bonds, when people must provoke God. God hath set bounds to His Word, for His Worship and Service: Now take heed that you go not beyond those bounds for any pretence of decency or comeliness, suitable to the state in which we live, and such like. God hath given great liberty in Civil things for men to use, but none in hi• Worship and ways. Oh what evil have Popish Princes done in this thing, in removing these bounds! and this is the main reason which makes Papists so to labour for the upholding and setting up an arbitrary government, having thereby ull liberty to break all bounds in Religion.