A77979:1098
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.
2. The will may be said to be in a sin, when a man shall in two difficult things, in which he must either sin or suffer, rather choose to sin than to suffer. This people here were commanded by Jeroboam to worship at Dan and Bethel; but God commanded them to worship at Jerusalem; now for them to disobey Gods command, and rather choose to obey Jeroboam's command than suffer Jeroboam's punishment, was a sin of willingness in them: when a man omits a duty commanded, for some hardships in it, he sins willingly in that omission of his.
2. The will may be said to be in a sin, when a man shall in two difficult things, in which he must either sin or suffer, rather chuse to sin than to suffer. This people here were commanded by Jeroboam to worship at Dan and Bethel; but God commanded them to worship at Jerusalem; now for them to disobey Gods command, and rather chuse to obey Jeroboams command than suffer Jeroboams punishment, was a sin of willingness in them: when a man omits a duty commanded, for some hardships in it, he sins willingly in that omission of his.
The approbation and furthering Governors in that which is evil, Obser. 10 by a willing obedience, doth bring much guilt upon people.1
- 1willing obedience in evil brings guilt upon a people.willing obedience in evil brings guilt upō a people.
This people should not presently have yielded to the Kings command, but petitioned against, yea suffered punishment rather than yielded, then they had done something; but no sooner was the command out but they as willingly yielded. Governors they command that which perhaps is not good, and they do not know it; but if they see their people stand out against it, they then will begin to bethink themselves, there is much evil in this obedience; for by this you mightily enrage them against those that cannot obey them, by reason of the tenderness of their consciences. I have read a story in a French History of Lewis the 11th. who being about to confirm unlawful Edicts, many of the Nobility came to him in their scarlet Gowns to petition him not to do it, and if he would proceed, that he would take their lives away, for they told him they had rather die than live to see the confirmation of such unlawful Commands; whereupon the King seeing their coming in such an unusual manner, holds his hand, and stays the prosecution of them. Oh! how happy are Princes and People in such Nobility! Had Ephraim done thus, they had done well in it, and might have had comfort from it.