Lectures Upon Hosea 1-4, Lectures 4 · Part 5
ANd ſo much concerning the ſecond bill of inditement: the Verſe 5 ſentence of condemnation is affixed Verſe 5. Therefore ſhalt thou fall in the day, and the Prophet ſhall fall with thee in the night, & I will deſtroy thy mother. In which words we are Expoſition.to conſider, firſt the puniſhment denounced; ſecondly the cauſe thereof; thirdly the perſons againſt whom it is threatned; fourthly the time when it is inflicted. The puniſhment is expreſſed in theſe words, thou ſhalt fall: the which is a metaphor borrowed from ſuch, as being eyther blind or walking in the darke, are ready to fall into the ditches and pits. Whereby is ſignified that becauſe they loued darkneſſe better then light, and erring in their owne wicked wayes would not indure to be directed and guided by the light of Gods word, but hated their guides and diſpiſed their admonitions, therefore they ſhould fall into the pit of Gods fearefull iudgements, and periſh therein both people and Prophets.
Now theſe iudgements into which the Prophet ſaith the people ſhall fall, are as I take it properly to bee vnderſtood of thoſe temporary puniſhments, into which ſoone after they did fall; namely, the ſword, captiuitie and deſolation; howſoeuer it may well bee that vnderunder theſe as types may bee vnderſtood their fall into gods ſpirituall judgements, death and eternall condemnation; when as the light of the Goſpell appearing, and the ſunne of righteouſneſſe clearely ſhyning, they would not receiue the promiſed Meſsias; but as though they had beene ſtill in the darke or ſtarke blind, they ſtumbled at him as at a ſtone of offence, and ſo fell into the pit of eternall perdition, according to the Prophecies. Eſay. 8. Eſay 8. 14. Luke 2. 34. Rom. 9. 32. 1 Cor. 1. 23.14. Luk. 2. 34. Which wee ſee accompliſhed. Rom. 9. 32. 1. Cor. 1. 23.
Secondly, the cauſe why they fell into the pit of Gods judgements is implyed in this word Therefore, as it is fitly here tranſlated: whereby is ſignified, that becauſe they refuſed the light of Gods word and would not harken to his faithfull Prophets, nor ſuffer themſelues to bee guided by them, but contemned their admonitions, yea and inſolently rebuked their reprouers, chuſing rather to harken vntounto falſe Prophets who ſeduced them and flattered them in their ſins; therefore running on in the wayes of darkneſſe like blinde people after blinde guided, they ſhould both fall into the pit of Gods judgements, the deepe pit of temporary puniſhments, and the bottomleſſe pit of eternall deſtruction.
Thirdly, the perſons againſt whom theſe puniſhments are threatned, are firſt more diſtinctly ſpecified, and after compriſed in one generall ſumme. They are ſpecified whereas he ſaith that both people and Prophets ſhould thus fall. The people are expreſſed in this word Thou: where he maketh an Apoſtrophe and conuerſion of his ſpeach to the people, and hauing ſpoken of them in the former Verſe, in the third perſon, hee now vſeth the ſecond for the greater emphaſis, that hee might point them out who were marked by God vntounto puniſhment, and the ſingular number as though hee would cull them out man by man. And this was juſt with God that this people who wilfully ſhut their eyes againſt the light of Gods truth, and deſpiſed his faithfull ſeruants admoniſhing them, ſhould be giuen vp of God to a reprobate ſenſe, to follow the deluſions of falſe Prophets, and to walke in their owne wicked wayes, vntill they fell into the pit of deſtruction.
It is further ſaid, that their Prophets ſhould fall with them; by which wee are not to vnderſtand their true Prophets, who admoniſhed them of their ſinnes and ſo becomming guiltleſſe of their tranſgreſsions ſaued their owne ſoules, and were not pertakers with them in their puniſhments; but their falſe and flattering Prophets, who ſoothed them in their ſins, and ſowed cuſhions vnderunder their elbowes that they might more ſecurely goe on in their wickedneſſe. And here alſo he vſeth the ſingular number indefinitely, for the greater emphaſis, as though hee ſhould ſay howſoeuer diuers may thinke that they ſhalbe exempted in the common puniſhment by their wit, learning, pollicie, authoritie, or fauour with the people, yet not one of them ſhall eſcape. And this was juſt with God that the falſe Prophets who had ſeduced the people ſhould being acceſſarie to their ſins bee pertakers in their puniſhments.
Secondly hee ſaith, that hee will deſtroy their mother, whereby we are to vnderſtand the whole Common-wealth Sinagogue, and Church of the Iewes; which the Lord threatneth ſo to ouer-turne and ruinate, that there ſhould not remaine ſo much as an outward face of a kingdome, nor the glorious title of the Church, wherein they ſo much boaſted: as though hee ſhould ſay, my purpoſe is to deſtroy all and ſome; particular perſons, and the whole ſtate both of church and common-wealth, ſo as I will not leaue ſo much as your goodly ſhewes, and glorious titles, vnderunder which you ſhelter your ſelues from the ſtorme of Gods judgements, and ſo ſecurely liue in your ſinnes without repentance. Where the Lord vſeth the name of Mother, to comprehend the whole Synagogue of the Iſraelites, both to ſhew the grieuouſneſſe of the judgement, in that the Lord killed the damme together with her young, and alſo that hee might more ſenſibly affect their ſtonie and ſecure hearts with compaſsionate griefe; ſeeing by their ſinnes they had not onelyonly deſtroyed themſelues, but alſo their mother, who in reſpect of this neere alliance ought aboue all things in the world to be moſt deere vntounto them.
Now this fearefull judgement the Lord accordingly inflicted vponupon them, when as firſt he deſtroyed innumerable numbers of the Iſraelits, both by their ciuill diſſentions, and forraine invaſions; and afterwards when as the remnant which remained were carryed Captiue into Aſsiria, and the Aſsirians planted their Colonies in the Land of Iſraell, whereby all hope of reſtitution was vtterly cut off.
The laſt thing expreſſed is, the time of theſe calamities, in theſe words, in the day, and in the night. The words are originally, to day and to night, whereby he ſignifieth firſt, that their puniſhments ſhould be very ſodaine and ſpeedy: and ſecondly, that they ſhould be continuall, one following in the neck of another, as the day doth immediately follow the night. As though he ſhould ſay, I will ſpeedely deſtroy the people in their ſinnes, and although I do not preſently attach with my judgements the falſe Prophets, becauſe the people muſt beare the firſt brunt of the war; yet hauing done with the one, I will immediately begin with the other, vntill I hauehave made an end of all, becauſe all hauehave joyned together in this rebellion.
And this is the meaning of the words. The Doctrines The doctrines. which ariſe out of them are theſe: Firſt, we may obſerue that They who wil not be admoniſhed ſhall be deſtroyed.thoſe who cannot indure to be admoniſhed of their faults, nor reproued for their ſinnes by Gods true Prophets: but rather deſire to bee ſoothed and flattered in their wicked wayes, by falſe and lying ſeducers, ſhall fall into the pit of Gods fearefull judgements. So it is ſaid. Prou. 29. 1. A man Prou. 29. 1.that hardeneth his necke when he is rebuked, ſhall ſodainely bee deſtroyed, and cannot be cured. Examples hereof we hauehave in 1 King. 22. 26. 2 Chron. 25. 15. 16. 23. 27. Eſay. 30. 10. 13 2 Theſ. 2. 11.Ahab. 1 King. 22. 26. 27. 34. In Amaziah. 2 Chron. 25. 15. 16. 23. 27. In the people of Iſraell. Eſay. 30. 10. 13. And in the limmes of Antichriſt. 2 Theſ. 2. 11. The reaſon hereof is manifeſt, for admonition and reprehenſion are the meanes to bring the ſinner to repentance, & repentance is the principall meanes to preuent Gods judgements: thoſe therefore who refuſe the meanes of amendement, continue obſtinately in their ſinnes, and ſo remaine continually liable to deſerued puniſhments. Gods Miniſters are the ſpirituall Phyſitions, who cure thoſe who are diſeaſed with ſinne, by miniſtring vntounto them the wholeſome preſeruatiues of admonition, and the bitter potions of reprehenſion & rebuke: If therefore theſe medicines be applyed, there is hope of recouerie; but if the patient contemne the Phyſitions counſell, and refuſeth to take theſe wholeſome medicines, but rather hearkeneth to ſome vnskilfull Empericke, who promiſeth cure without any trouble to the patient; ſuch a one is neere death and deſtruction, becauſe he cannot be cured, as the wiſe man ſheweth. Prou. 29. 1.Prou. 29. 1.
The vſe hereof ſerueth, firſt, to moue all men willingly to hearken vntounto admonitions, and patiently to beare reproofes, ſeeing it is a notable meanes ſanctified by God for our amendement, that ſo we may eſcape Gods heauy judgements. An example hereof wee hauehave in Dauid. Pſal. 141. 4. 5. Who would not eate the delicates of the wicked but deſireth Pſal. 141. 4. 5.that the righteous ſhould ſmite and reproue him, becauſe their rebukes were as a precious Balſamum, to cure his ſpirituall wounds of ſinne.
Secondly, it ſerueth to perſwade all Chriſtians with chearfulneſſe to performe this duetie of admonition and reprehenſion, ſeeing it preſerueth their brother from death and deſtruction; for if we are bound when we ſee the beaſt of our enimie endaungered to relieue him, by keeping him from running into the ditch, or by helping him out being fallen; how much more are we bound in conſcience to helpe the perſon not of our enimie, but of our neighbour, yea of our brother, and to preſerue him by our Godly admonition from falling in the pit of vtter deſtruction? This duety God requireth. Leu. 19. 17. Thou ſhalt not hate thy brother in thine Leu. 19. 17.heart, but thou ſhalt plainely rebuke thy neighbour and not ſuffer him to ſinne. And is commended as a ſingular work of charitie. Iam. 5. 19. 20. Which who ſo performeth, howſoeuer Iam. 5. 19. 20.for a time he may be ſuſpected as an enimie, or taken for a rigorous & troubleſome friend, yet in the end he ſhall bee preferred before the moſt pleaſing flatterers, as appeareth. Prou. 28. 23. Hee that rebuketh a man ſhall finde more Pro. 28. 23.fauour at the length then he that flattereth with his Tongue.
Laſtly, it ſerueth to ſhew the miſerable condition of this The impatiencie of men in theſe daies to heare reproofe.land and ſtate, which abounding in ſinne, is notwithſtanding impatient of reproofe, and is ſo deſperately ſetled in wickedneſſe, that it is now more daunger for a godly man to reproue ſinne, then for offenders to commit it. Neyther are priuate men alone diſcouraged from performing of this dutie, with the taunts and violence of the wicked ones, but euen Gods faithfull Miniſters are ſo hampred if they freely and plainely reprehend the iniquities of the times, that except the word of God be as fire in their bowels which cannot be ſmothered, they take little pleaſure in cenſuring ſinne, or in being the Lords heraulds to denounce his heauy judgements. Yea, ſo vnmeaſurably are Gods ambaſſadours reſtrayned from deliuering the word of reproofe, that euen Stageplayers may more freely and ſafely ſcoffe at the vices of great offenders, then Gods Miniſters may ſincerely reprehend them out of Gods word. Seeing therefore wee are growne deſperate in ſinne, and impatient of reproofe, what remaineth but that with the Iſraelites we fall into the pit of Gods fearefull judgements?
The ſecond thing to be obſerued is, that not onelyonly the The Prophets who ſeduce the people ſhall periſh with them.people who liue in wickedneſſe, but alſo the Prophets who ſeduce them, or boulſter them vp in their ſinnes, ſhall fall into the pit of Gods judgements in the day of his viſitation. So the Prophet Ieremie threatneth Paſhur the ſonne of Imner the Prieſt, that becauſe hee had preached lies, he and Ier. 20. 6. and 23. 31.all that belonged to him ſhould dye in captiuitie. Ier. 20. 6. So the Lord threatneth, that in his wrath hee will come againſt the Prophets, which hauehave ſweete tongues ſeducing the people with pleaſing Lyes. Chap. 23. 31. So when the falſe Prophets bore the people in hand that they ſhould not ſerue the king of Babell▪ for this their ſinne in ſeducing the people, and the ſinne of the people in giuing credit rather to them then to the true Prophets, the Lord denounceth deſtruction both againſt the Prophets and people, Chap. 27. Ier. 27. 15. and 14. 14. 15. 16.15. See Chap. 14. 14. 15. 16. The Prophet Ezechiell likewiſe threatneth the falſe Prophets, that becauſe they proclaymed peace, where the Lord denounced warre, & played the dawbers, in couering the faults and ſinnes of the people with vntempered morter, that they and their worke ſhould both periſh. Ezech. 10. 14. And in generall the Lord deliuered Ezech. 13. 10. 14.this denunciation by the ſame Prophet, that if the watchman ſeeing the ſword comming, did not giuegive the people warning, nor admoniſh them of their wicked wayes, the wicked ſhould dye in their ſinnes, but their bloud ſhould be required of the watchmans hands. The reaſon hereof is manifeſt, Ezech. 33. 8.for if thoſe whom he hath appointed to be his ambaſſadors vntounto the people liuing in their rebellion, that they may tell them of their ſinnes, and denounce his judgements, doe conſpire with the people againſt God, ſooth them in their ſinnes, and become the heraulds to proclaime Gods mercies, not caring to diſpleaſe God ſo they may pleaſe the people; the Lord in his juſtice can doe no leſſe but puniſh the rebellions of the people, and the treacherous treaſon of ſuch ambaſſadours.
The vſe of this doctrine ſerueth firſt to ſtirre vp Gods Miniſters Sinceritie required in the Miniſters in Preaching. Col. 1. 10.with all care and conſcience, to deliuer that ambaſſage which they hauehave receiued from God purely and ſincerely; not as men pleaſers but as the ſeruants of Ieſus Chriſt. Leaſt in ſeeking popular applauſe by not reprouing of ſinne, they cauſe both themſelues and the people to fall into the pit of Gods judgements in the day of his viſitation. 1. Kin. 22. 14.1. Kin. 22. 14.
Secondly, it teacheth the people, with all patience and reuerence to receiue the word of admonition and rebuke, as Patience and reuerence required in the people in hearing.being the meanes ſanctifyed by God, to bring them to a ſight of their ſinnes and vnfayned repentance; that ſo both they and their miniſters may eſcape Gods juſtly deſerued wrath and vengeance. If one walking in a pleaſant way ſhould be admoniſhed by a friend, that if hee went forward he were in danger to fall into an hidden pit, or into an ambuſhment of enimies, though his walke were delightfull, who would not turne backe, and ſhew himſelfe thankefull to him from whom he had receiued ſuch a friendly admonition? but this is our caſe, we walke in the pleaſant wayes of ſinne, which lead vsus into the pit of deſtruction? and cauſe vsus to fall if wee goe forward in them, into the ambuſhment of our ſpirituall enimies, ſathan, hell, and condemnation: who therefore being admoniſhed to deſiſt in this daungerous, though pleaſing courſe, would not willingly turne backe, and render thanks vntounto him, by whoſe admonition he was preſerued from ſuch imminent daunger.
Laſtly this ſerueth for the iuſt terrour of all time-ſeruers, Terrour for time-ſeruers who ſooth men in their ſinnes.and men pleaſers, who will not or dare not deliuer Gods ambaſſage, nor admoniſh or reproue great perſonages for their ſinnes, for feare of incurring their diſpleaſure, or looſing thoſe rewards which they hope to receiue by ſoothing them in all their wicked wayes; in this reſpect worſe then Balaam himſelfe, who howſoeuer hee loued the reward of iniquitie, yet proteſted that he would not ſpeake any other thing, then that which God put in his mouth, for to gaine thereby all the wealth of Balaac; whereas they for a farre leſſe matter, ſpeake the cleane contrarie; commending where God condemneth; bleſsing where he curſeth, and curſing where he bleſſeth; proclayming peace, where he denounceth warre; and giuing a Quietus est, and generall acquittance, to thoſe whom the Lord for their great & grieuous debts is ready to arreſt and attach: ſuch although for a time they get the fauour of great perſonages, and flowriſh in the world, yet they are in a moſt miſerable condition, ſeeing the time will come, when as the Lord will cauſe his judgements to apprehend them, as being traitours to his Majeſtie, in deliuering a quite contrary ambaſſage to that which they receyued from him; Traytours vntounto their Prince and Country, in that they hauehave not admoniſhed them of imminent daungers, but ſoothing them in the pleaſing wayes of ſinne, hauehave encouraged them to goe forward in them, till they fall into the pit of puniſhment; and traytours to their owne ſoules, in that as they accompany them in their ſinnes, ſo alſo they ſhall accompany them in their puniſhments.
Thirdly, we are to obſerue, that God will inflict puniſhments God ſeuerely puniſheth thoſe who contemne admonition.ſpeedely, continually, and one in the neck of another, vponupon that people who deſpiſe admonitions, and are impatient to heare rebukes: for when his ſoueraigne ſalues of inſtruction will not heale them, nor his ſharpe coraſiues of rebuke keepe them from putrifaction and rottenneſſe, what remaineth, but that with the ſword of vengeance hee ſhould cut them off? And thus the Lord puniſheth contemners of his word; by ſuffering them to fall into errours and hereſies; and by giuing them vp to ſtrong deluſions, and to beleeue 2. Theſ. 2. 11.lyes; by giuing them ouer to a reprobate ſenſe, to runne on in their wicked wayes, without check or ſtop; and laſtly, by bringing vponupon them calamitie vponupon calamitie, and puniſhment vponupon puniſhment, till they bee vtterly deſtroyed and cut off. An example whereof wee hauehave in the Churches of Iſraell and Iuda, in Ieroboam, in Ahab, and many others.
The vſe is, that if we would eſcape theſe manifold and A perticular Church may ceaſe to be a true Church.continuall calamities, we ſubmit our ſelues to be ruled by the ſcepter of the word, and bee as well contented to heare our ſelues admoniſhed of our faults, and reproued for out ſinnes, as to heare of comfort when we doe well, and of the gracious promiſes of the Goſpll, when we hauehave turned from our ſinnes by vnfayned repentance.
Laſtly, we may obſerue, that howſoeuer the Catholike and inviſible Church of Chriſt, cannot faile and ceaſe to be his Church, yet a particular and viſible Church may; as we ſee in the example of the Church of Iſraell in this place. For when Idolatry, Will-worſhip, and humaine traditions thruſt out Gods pure and ſincere worſhip, when the miniſtery of the word ceaſeth, and in ſtead thereof lyes are publiſhed and imbraced; when the Sacraments are neglected, or wholy corrupted and depraued, ſuch aſſemblies whether particular or nationall, ceaſe to be the Church of Chriſt, and begin to be the Synagogue of Sathan.
This heauy judgement Chriſt alſo threatneth againſt the Church of the Iewes. Mat. 21. 43. The kingdome of God Mat. 21. 43.ſhall be taken from you, &c. And againſt the Church of Epheſus. Apoc. 2. 5. I will come againſt thee ſhortly, and will remoue Apoc. 2. 5.thy Candleſtick out of his place, except thou amend, that is, I will tranſlate my Church from thee to ſome other nation. The fearefull execution of all which threatnings, we ſee at this day, for all thoſe famous Churches mentioned in the Scriptures, are vtterly periſhed, and become both in their ſoules and bodyes the Vaſſals of Gog and Magog, the Turke, Mahomet, and the ſeauen headed beaſt the Antichriſt of Rome.
The vſe which we are to make hereof is, firſt, to admoniſh Wee muſt not reſt in outward priuiledges.vsus that we doe not flatter our ſelues in thoſe glorious titles and goodly priuiledges, which yet through Gods mercy we injoy, in that we are the Church of God, and hauehave his word and Sacraments amongſt vsus. For if we ſecurely reſt in theſe titles and priuiledges, and thinke it ſufficient that we hauehave the kingdome of God amongſt vsus, but bring forth no fruits of it, nor liue like his ſubjects, but the vaſſals of Sathan; this kingdome ſhall likewiſe be taken from vsus, and giuen to a nation which will bring forth the fruits thereof. If we continue in our ſinnes, looſe our firſt louelove, and will not repent and amend, our Candleſtick ſhall be remoued; if wee remaine ſtubbornely rebellious, and will not endure admonition and rebuke, the Lord will deſtroy our mother, as here he threatneth the Iſraelites, and make vsus like the Churches of the Iewes and Aſia.
Secondly it ſerueth for the confutation of the Papiſts, The Church of Rome no true Church of God.who inveſt their mother the Church of Rome in the royall ornaments of her anceſters, grace her with their titles & and priuiledges, and aduance her aboue others in the glorious chaire of antiquitie. But ſeeing ſhe hath fallen from her firſt louelove, and repenteth not, ſeeing ſhe hath voluntarily excluded her ſelfe out of Chriſts kingdome, and will not indure to be gouerned by the ſcepter of his word, but hath ſeruilely ſubmitted her ſelfe to Antichriſt, and is content to take his marke and beare his yoke: ſeeing ſhe hath baniſhed out of her Gods pure worſhip, the miniſterie of his word, and hath wholy corrupted and depraued his Sacraments, and now worſhippeth Idols, Saints, Angels, their breadden God of the Aulter; and if they worſhip the true God at all yet not according to his word, but after their owne wils in humaine inuentions and traditions; and ſeeing they are ſo deſperately reſolued to continue in theſe their ſinnes that they will here of no admonition, but rebuke their reprouers, yea perſecute vntounto the death all that labour to reclaime them, it is hereby manifeſt, that long agoe they are ceaſed to be the ſpouſe of Chriſt, and are now become an infamous harlot, euen the whoore of Babilon, they are no more the Church of God but the Sinagogue of Sathan, and ſlaues of Antichriſt. For if the Church of Iſraell who had Gods law, couenant, promiſes, and all royall prerogatiues, ceaſed to bee the Church, when as they did wholy degenerate, and abandoned Gods pure worſhip, and if thoſe famous Churches, mentioned in the new teſtament, planted by the Apoſtles themſelues, making the like apoſtacy were ſubiect to the ſame puniſhment, then what can priuiledge the apoſtate Church of Rome (which is wholy degenerate from her anceſtours, both in puritie of doctrine and holyneſſe of manners and conuerſation) from the like fearefull judgement; ſeeing ſhe hath matched them, yea and exceeded them all in deſperate and audatious wickedneſſe?