A77979:1079
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 11
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.
Obser. 8 That mens authority commanding us to do duty in a wrong manner is not sufficient for our warrant: No evil may be committed upon pretence of the commands of authority. Therefore the Papists blind obedience is too great a burden and bondage for man, Use as man to bear; then much more as Christians: 'tis not enough for children or servants to obey their parents or masters in things which are evil, because they command it; the wrath of God may break out upon us for obeying Princes and Governors in things which are evil. If God command any thing we must look more at the quis, 1than at the quid, 2but in the commands of men we must look at the quid, what 'tis that is commanded, more than the quis, who commands: the commands of men may be such that the best obedience is to disobey: the Pope writing to Bernard requiring a thing of him which was unlawful,3 Bernard writes back again this answer, I as a child do not obey, and I obey in disobeying. Gods authority is that which we must look at in all our actions. Authority at the first was set up for the good of Common-wealths, and not for their hurt, therefore it was no wonder that so many in former times did deny obedience to the unlawful commands of Magistrates when the edge of justice was turned against them; but now since authority is good, joining for God, punishing sin and wickedness, who obeys more than those who formerly were accounted disobedient to authority:4 therefore 'tis a false reproach which is cast upon the professors of the Gospel, that they are disobedient to Governors and contemn authority: who are they which venture most in this cause, in their estates, liberties, and lives? is it not the people of God? nay is not this used as an argument ⟨p. 471⟩to godly Soldiers to be content in the want of their pay, because they are the owners of this war? 'tis for Religion and liberty they stand for, 'tis conscience puts them on to show themselves active for God and venture largely for his sake, though they verily believe they shall never see a return of their cost: let but Law and authority go on Gods side, and then they will obey willingly.