A77979:1439
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 4
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.
We should not think much to lose our pains in the use of means to others. Obs. 2 God he hath taken pains and been at cost with this people, and he hath lost all, God seems to mourn for the loss of his charges, I have used this admonition, the other counsel, yet still hypocritical, Oh what shall I do unto thee? but yet Gods does not leave them or grow weary of his pains, he persists still in the means to do them good. In this should the Saints imitate God! if this course will not prevail, use a second; if not this use a third, perhaps that may, and if it does do good it will pay for all the pains. And thus much of the words by way of compassion.
Expos. 2 Now by way of expostulation and so they are to be taken, to humble them, or to convince them of their sin. Hence observe;
Obs. 3 That it's a special means to humble men for sin, to put them to it, to consider what means they have had used to do them good. Would we be seriously affected with sin, and humbled for sin? then go alone and call our souls into examination, whether means have not been used sufficient to do us good? consider what means they have been, judgments, national, domestic, and personal: Mercies, reproofs out of the word, admonitions from friends, terror• and checks of conscience &c. when you have done thus, charge conscience to speak and tell thee the truth,1 and when it doth tell truth, give it leave to upbraid thee thus; what, so unprofitable, so stout, and stubborn, so froward, and impatient, so unthankful, and so unbelieving for all this? This would be a singular means to show the soul a view of sin in its colours. But alas most men put off and shun such a course as this is, and the Devil he knows the prevalency and efficacy of such a way as this, and he strives what he can to put the soul off from such a course, and puts men upon such excuses as these, Had I such and such means as others have, I should be more fruitful, I was reproved, but it was too open,