A77979:1422
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 6 › Verse 3
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.
Is God so seasonable in his mercies for us? Let us be seasonable and suitable in our duty, Use let us bring forth fruit unto God in season;1 as the godly man in the first Psalm is said to do: herein consists the excellency of service, when it is in its place: Therefore it is no other but a temptation of Satan that when men are called to exercise in their callings, they are then stirred up to prayer, or hearing; but these are not the motions of the Spirit, for they are seasonable; for God never puts the soul upon extremes, the performing of two contrary duties at one and the same time.2 It is an excellent sign of a gracious heart, to account a season for service, a mercy; and a misery to want an opportunity. Certainly it is a great judgment of God upon a man, to be unserviceable in a season of service. Jude, 12.3 Jude describing those corruptions of the Gospel by life and doctrine, in his time, says, they were trees withered, twice dead, plucked up by the roots: trees corrupt in the time of autumn, then when their fruit should come in. Even thus it is with many men, at that time when God expects the most fruit from them, show themselves most corrupt and vile. These are such as mightily provoke God:4 and how many such have we among us at this day, who when God calls them to service, manifest the rottenness which is in their spirits. Many when they are in a poor condition think, Oh had I such a mans estate, what a deal of good would I do with it? had I such parts and abilities as some have, and so much time, and many opportunities given as they have, how would I lay them out for God? Many that are now servants have many good resolutions, Oh what will they do for God, when God calls them to it? O foolish hearts, who when they can do nothing ⟨p. 566⟩would do most, and when they may do most, do nothing at all.
Is God so seasonable in his mercies for us? Let us be seasonable and sutable in our duty, Use let us bring forth fruit unto God in season;