Lectures Upon Hosea 1-4, Lectures 2 · Part 6
ANd ſo much concerning the puniſhment denounced. The effect of this puniſhment in the people is twofold. The firſt is expreſſed in theſe words: And ſhe ſhall follow her Verſ. 7 louers, and ſhall not come at them; and ſhe ſhall ſeeke them, and ſhall not finde them, &c. In which words are contained two things: firſt, the behauiour of theſe idolaters, when as God The expoſition.had hedged them in with the hedge of afflictions, namely, they follow and ſeeke after their louers, and that with great anxietie of mind, care and earneſt endeuour; for ſo the word here vſed ſignifieth. The ſecond is, that God maketh fruſtrate all their labour, ſo as they follow and ſeeke after them in vaine.
Concerning the firſt▪ after theſe idolaters were afflicted for their ſinnes, and ſo hedged in with troubles and inextricable miſeries, that they could not tell what courſe to take, nor which way to turne themſelues; yet they doe not preſently turne vntounto the Lord and repent of their ſinnes, nay rather they endeuour to flee from him, and to ſeeke helpe of their Idols; and as though all theſe afflictions had betided them, becauſe they had been no more zealous and deuout in their ſuperſtition and idolatrie, therefore they double their diligence, and with greater care and endeuour they worſhip and ſerue their Idols, hoping and expecting deliuerance from them▪ as a reward of all their paines.
Wherein the Prophet alludeth to the practiſe of adulterous wiues, who when they are reſtrained in their wicked courſes by their husbands iealous and watchfull eye, or by ſome rougher and ſtricter courſe, doe not preſently forſake their louers and amend, but rather ſtudie and inuent out meanes how they may eſcape out of their husbands cuſtodie and againe come into their louers companie: or elſe to the manner of beaſts and cattell, who being reſtrained with a new fence from their old haunt, do not preſently feed quietly in their owne paſture, but range along by the hedge ſide to finde a gap, or ſome eaſie place where they may leap ouer or burſt thorow into thoſe fields into which they hauehave ranged in former times: ſo this idolatrous ſpouſe being reſtrained with the chaſtiſements of her husband from following Idols, doth not at firſt forſake her ſinne, and turne vntounto the Lord by true repentance, but with greater madneſſe ſhe endeuoureth to proceede in her adulteries, ſuperſtitions and idolatrie, and ſeeketh help of her louers and Idols, that therby ſhe may be freed from thoſe afflictions which God hath laid vponupon her.
So that here the ſinne of theſe idolaters is further aggrauated, in that they made no vſe of Gods afflictions, but rather behaued themſelues more impudently then in former times: for whereas this adulterous ſpouſe though ſhe were reſolued to liue in vncleanneſſe, yet rather ſhould hauehave been ſought vntounto by her louers, then to ſeeke after them, ſhe contrarie to all womanhood ſo farre exceeded the bounds of modeſtie, being tranſported with the blind furie of her luſt, followeth after them when ſhee is neglected, and ſeeketh them when ſhe is not ſought.
But here it may be demanded, how ſhe can be ſaid to follow and ſeeke after her louers, when as hee ſaith in the former verſe that ſhe was ſo hedged and walled in that ſhe could not finde her paths? I anſwere, that he here deſcribeth, potiùs adulterae affectum quàm profectum, rather the affection then the action of this harlot; it is true that ſhe could not attaine vntounto her deſire, but ſtill notwithſtanding ſhe deſireth; ſhe was hedged in, but neuertheleſſe ſhe wandreth about to finde a gap; ſhe could not indeed finde or come at her louers, but yet ſhe rangeth in the purſuite, and ſeeketh to come into their companie.
And this appeareth by the ſecond point which I propounded, namely, the fruſtrating of her labour: for it is ſaid, that though ſhee followed her louers, yet ſhee ſhould not come at them; though ſhe ſought them with all care and diligence, yet ſhe ſhould not find them. In which words, the Lord ſheweth, that though this adulterous ſpouſe, and vntamed heifer, would endeuour to break thorow the hedge of afflictions, which he had ſet about her, to the end that ſhee might againe with like proſperitie, as in former times, follow her louers, and liue in her whoredomes; yet ſhe ſhould not be able to accompliſh her deſire; though ſhe ſhould ſeek her Idols, with more then ordinarie deuotion, praying, profering vntounto them ſacrifices and oblations, to the end, that by their helpe ſhe might be freed out of her afflictions, and attaine vntounto her former proſperitie, which in her blind ignorance and ſuperſtition ſhe aſcribed vntounto them, yet ſhe ſhould ſpend all her labour in vaine, ſeeing her Idols ſought ſhould not be found, that is, ſhe ſhould not find them any waies able to remoue her afflictions, or to helpe her out of her miſerie and diſtreſſe.
Wherby he aggrauateth the wretchednes of her eſtate, and in a moſt liuely maner ſetteth forth the deſperatenes of her miſerie. For though one be in miſerie and diſtreſſe, yet if they hauehave hope that they may hauehave acceſſe to ſuch friends, vntounto whom when they hauehave made knowne their caſe, they ſhall finde them both able and willing to releeue them; this is a ſtrong argument to worke in them patience: but if either they cannot come at them, whom they moſt truſt and relie vponupon, or elſe find them altogether vnable to do them any good, then the fruſtrating of their hope being added to the waight of their miſerie and afflictions, ouerwhelmeth and preſſeth them downe, and maketh their burthen vnſupportable.
And this is the firſt effect of the Churches afflictions. The ſecond is expreſſed in theſe words, Then ſhall ſhe ſay, I will go and returne to my first huſband, for at that time was I better then now. In which words is contained the Churches repentance, and the reaſon mouing her hereunto. The firſt is expreſſed in theſe words, Then ſhall ſhe ſay, I will go and returne vntounto my first huſband: that is, after ſhe ſeeth her ſelfe croſſed in her wicked courſes, and ſo hedged in with afflictions, that ſhe cannot follow her Idols, and enioy her former proſperitie, after ſhe hath long in vaine ſought for helpe and deliuerance at the hands of her Idols, and hath now no hope by their meanes, either to come out of her preſent miſerie, or to enioy her former proſperitie, being deſtitute of all other helpe; then ſhe ſhall ſay, that is, ſhe ſhall reſolue and determine, yea and alſo profeſſe this her purpoſe and reſolution, that ſhe would no longer ſit ſtill in this miſerie, and ſuffer her ſelfe to be ſwallowed vp of griefe, and deſperation; but ſhee would go, and forſaking her louers, and adulterous Idols, returne vntounto her firſt husband, who indeed alone deſerued the name of a husband, ſeeing the other were but louers, ſeducers, and adulterers.
The reaſon mouing her to make this returne vntounto her husband, is expreſſed in theſe words: For at that time was I better then now: that is, I will now at length forſake theſe Idols, and returne vntounto the Lord, becauſe I plainly ſee, and ſenſiblie diſcerne, that my ſtate and condition was farre better, and more happie, when I cleaued vntounto the Lord, my only true husband, with all my heart, louing, ſeruing, and obeying him alone, and performing vntounto him that pure and ſincere worſhip, which is deſcribed in his word, then it hath bin ſince I forſook him, and proſtituted my ſelf, to commit ſpirituall vncleanneſſe with Idols: for by this my apoſtaſie I hauehave moued my louing husband, in his iuſt diſpleaſure to reiect me, & to ſtrip me of al thoſe benefits which he had beſtowed on me: I hauehave depriued my ſelf of al true comfort, ioy and peace of conſcience, and am now filled with horror, feare, and anguiſh of mind; and I hauehave plunged my ſelfe into a ſea of miſerie, and innumerable afflictions, out of which my louers, in whom I truſted, and whoſe helpe I hauehave implored, cannot deliuer me. And therefore what remaineth, but that I forſake my louers, and my ſinnes with them committed, ſeeing they are miſerable comforters in my greateſt need, and diſtreſſe, and returne and reconcile my ſelfe vntounto my huſband, who is infinite in merciemercy and compaſſion?
And ſo much for the meaning of this verſe. The doctrines The Do∣ctrines. which ariſe out of them are theſe. Firſt, we may obſerue the ſuperſtitious blindnes of idolaters, who, when the Lord puniſheth Idolaters in their afflictions, flie vntounto their Idols, and not vntounto God.them for their idolatries, do not repent of their ſins, and returne vntounto the Lord, crauing merciemercy, forgiuenes, & releaſe of their puniſhmēts: but rather, hauehave their recourſe vntounto their Idols, with more then ordinarie deuotion: ſeruing them with their Pilgrimages, Vowes, Inuocations, Oblations, and other rites and ceremonies, wherewith they imagine they may be beſt pleaſed; ſuppoſing that their ſlacknes and remiſſenes in theſe ſuperſtitious deuotions, hath bin the cauſe of all their afflictions: whereas in truth their ſuperſtitions and idolatrie, is the chiefe cauſe of all their miſeries, and therefore the multiplying of them doth not releaſe them of their puniſhment, but rather redoubleth it. An example whereof we hauehave in this place, in Micha, Iudg. 17. 13. Ahaziah, 2. King. 1. 2. and in the Papiſts, who when the Lord Judg. 17. 13. 2. King. 1. 2.puniſheth them for their idolatries, ſeeke freedome and deliuerance from the euils they ſuffer, by their vowes, pilgrimages, prayers, and oblations to their Idols and Images; as though they could drie themſelues being wet, by leaping into a riuer, or eaſe themſelues being burnt, by leaping into the fire, Eſay 1. 28. 29.Eſay 1. 28. 29. Our naturall pronenes to Idolatrie.
Secondly, we may obſerue our naturall proneneſſe vntounto idolatrie, for not only we eaſilie fall into it, but being fallen, we are hardly recouered and recalled from this ſinne: no, though the Lord to his word ſhewing his truth, and the falſhood and abominablenes of idolatrie, do alſo adde his rods of afflictions, that at leaſt ſenſe of paine may make vsus wearie of our ſinnes. And therefore it is not to be wondered at, that the moſt part of the world do forſake Gods pure worſhip, and liue in idolatrie, ſeeing mans nature is ſo inclined thereunto, that though he ſmart for it, he will not leaue it: and how much more then will he embrace it, when he is allured and drawne vntounto that, which of his owne nature he is prone vntounto, by pleaſures, profit, and preferments? for the Lord doth not hedge in all with afflictions, which reſolue to follow their louers, but onelyonly thoſe, whom it is his purpoſe to conuert, as belonging to his eternall election.
Thirdly, we may obſerue that affliction in it ſelfe, is not ſufficient to make vsus forſake our ſins, and to turne vntounto the Affliction, if it be not ſanctified, doth not turne vsus vntounto God.Lord by true repentance, vnleſſe it bee ſanctified and made effectuall for this purpoſe, by the inward working of Gods Spirit. For though the Lord had hedged his people in with afflictions, that they might not goe forward in their idolatries: yet it is ſaid heere, that notwithſtanding all this, they the more followed and ſought after their louers. So Pharaoh the more hee was puniſhed the more hee was hardened, the more the children of Iſrael were afflicted in the wilderneſſe, the more they murmured; the more they were ſmitten, the more they fell away, Eſai. 1. 5. But I ſhall not need to go far Eſai. 1. 5.for examples, ſeeing wee hauehave a preſent example amongſt our ſelues, who hauehave made no vſe of Gods late viſitation, &c. And therefore when we are afflicted, let vsus earneſtly deſire the Lord to ſanctifie our afflictions vntounto vsus, and to ioyne with his outward corrections, the inward working of his Spirit, whereby we may be moued to lay them to heart, and to humble our ſelues vnderunder the hand of God.
Fourthly, wee may obſerue the corrupt nature of ſinfull Corrupt man ſeeketh all other meanes, before he flieth vntounto God.man, who when he is in trouble and affliction, aſſayeth all other meanes for his deliuerance, before he flieth vntounto God for helpe: ſo here the Iſraelites being hedged in with afflictions, flee vntounto their Idols. So Saul went to the witch, Aſa to the Phyſitions, the Papiſts to their Saints and Images. And thus many make gods vntounto themſelues, for their deliuerance, of their friends, riches, or of their owne power and policie: when as being in trouble and affliction they do not in the firſt place flee vntounto the Lord for helpe, but reſt vponupon theſe meanes, vntill they be altogether depriued of them, or hauehave experience of their inſufficiency in yeelding vntounto them any helpe.
Laſtly, we may obſerue, that the Lord taketh from thoſe, God fruſtrateth other meanes, that we may reſt vponupon him.which he purpoſeth to conuert and ſaue, all theſe Idols in whom they truſt, and theſe outward meanes wherupon they reſt, or at leaſt, teacheth them by lamentable experience, that they are altogether inſufficient to deliuer them out of their afflictiōs. So he threatneth here, that his elect people following after their louers, ſhould not come at them, and ſeeking them (to the end they might be by their helpe deliuered out of their afflictions) they ſhould not find them, that ſo being made fruſtrate of their wicked hopes, and abandoned of all outward meanes, wherein they truſted, and deſpairing of all other helpe, might hereby be driuen to flee vntounto the Lord for merciemercy and deliuerance. And therefore, when being in affliction, or any diſtreſſe, we are diſappointed of our hopes, and depriued or forſaken of thoſe meanes, wherein we truſted for deliuerance; let vsus perſwade our ſelues, that the Lord hereby doth chaſtiſe our vaine confidence and carnall affiance, whereby we truſt and reſt vponupon, rather the creature, then vponupon him our Creator; and withall doth beate vsus from thoſe worldly hopes, that we might flee vntounto him for ſuccour, and reſt vponupon his promiſes and prouidence for our deliuerance.
And theſe are the doctrines which ariſe out of the former God doth not ſuffer his to remaine alwaies in their ſinne and idolatrie.part of this verſe, containing the firſt effect of the peoples afflictions. Now out of the latter part, wherein is ſhewed the ſecond effect, namely, their forſaking their Idols, and turning vntounto the Lord, theſe inſtructiōs are further to be obſerued.
Firſt, we learne, that howſoeuer thoſe that belong to Gods election, may for a time leaue Gods pure worſhip, and follow Idols, yea and be ſo blinded in their ſuperſtitions, that when they are afflicted for their ſinne, they doe with more earneſtnes embrace idolatrie; yet the Lord will not ſo leaue them, but at length he will open their eyes, that they ſhal ſee their ſinnes, and ſenſiblie diſcerne that they are the cauſes of their puniſhments; though for a time in their ignorance and ſuperſtition they preferre idolatrie before his true worſhip, yet at laſt he illuminateth their iudgemēts, ſo as they may ſee how much better it is to follow him, then to follow idols, to embrace his true religion reuealed in his word, then to follow their owne inuention. Examples hereof we hauehave in Abraham, in the Iſraelites comming out of Egypt, and in the time of the Iudges, and in many at this day, who hauehave forſaken the idolatries of the whore of Babylon, and hauehave embraced Gods true religion.
Secondly, we may obſerue, that as ſoone as they ſpie their As ſoone as the faithfull ſee their errors and ſins, they reforme and forſake them.errors, they do not go on further in them, but they returne into the way of truth; as ſoone as they ſee their ſins they forſake them, as being the cauſes of their miſerie; when they ſee the vainenes of their idols, then they returne vntounto the Lord their true husband, neitheir is it enough to ſee our ſins, if wee continue in them, nay rather this will redouble our puniſhment; it is not ſufficient to know truth and error, vnleſſe we Luk. 12. 47.embrace the one, and forſake the other: it will not profit vsus to ſee our former groſſeneſſe in following idols, vnleſſe Matth. 11. 21.hereby we be moued, not only to forſake them, but alſo to returne vntounto our husband, the Lord our God, worſhipping him according to his will. So that here we learne what is the practiſe of true repentance, it conſiſteth not in the knowledge only, or acknowledgment of our ſins, for thus far did Pharaoh and Saul proceed, thus did Iudas, and thus do many worldlings repent: but we muſt ſo ſee our ſinnes, as that with the ſight of them, wee bee exceedingly diſpleaſed with our ſelues; we muſt ſo acknowledge them, as that withall we vnfainedly bewaile them; we muſt when we behold them, alſo hate and deteſt them, and not only forſake our ſins, but alſo returne vntounto the Lord, with full purpoſe of heart, reſoluing and endeuouring to ſerue and pleaſe him, in holineſſe and newnes of life.
Thirdly, we may obſerue the profit of afflictions, when as The profit of afflictions.they are ſanctified vntounto vsus by Gods Spirit; for whereas proſperitie maketh vsus blind through pride, ſelfe-louelove, and ſecuritie, ſo as we can neither ſee our ſinnes, nor Gods approaching iudgements; aduerſitie openeth our eyes, and rectifieth the iudgement, ſo as then we not only ſee our ſins, but are readie alſo to condemne our ſelues, iuſtly to hauehave deſerued thoſe euils, which we ſuffer, yea and far greater, if the Lord ſhould enter into iudgement with vsus: for when as the light of nature, our owne conſcience, and the written Word of God teach and conuict vsus of this, that God is the chiefe goodnes, moſt gratious, moſt mercifull, and in his owne nature not apt and readie, to hurt and puniſh any of his creatures, but rather to extend his bountie, & multiply his benefits vpō all, when we fall into miſeries and calamities, we muſt needs iuſtifie God in his iudgements, and condemne our ſelues, whō Lam. 3. 22.we know to be full of all corruption, and wickednes. An example whereof we hauehave in Ioſephes brethren, Gen. 42. 21. in Gen. 42. 21.the Iſraelites vnderunder the Iudges; in Dauid, Pſal. 51. 4. yea in Pſal. 51. 4. Exod. 10. 16. 17Pharaoh himſelfe, Exod. 10. 16. 17. Where as proſperitie maketh vsus diſſolute and licentious in our waies, affliction ſerueth in ſtead of a thornie hedge to ſtay vsus from running on in the courſe of ſinne to our perdition. Whereas proſperitie maketh vsus negligent in performing the duties of Gods worſhip and ſeruice, miſerie and affliction maketh men zealous, forward and deuout; according to that, Eſa. 26. 16. O Lord in Eſa. 26. 16.trouble they hauehave viſited thee, they powred out a prayer when thy chastening was vponupon them. And becauſe men at ſuch times are moſt fit and readie to performe ſuch duties, therefore then the Lord eſpecially requires them, Pſal. 50. 15. Laſtly, whereas Pſal. 50. 15.proſperitie makes vsus to forget God and to flee away from him, affliction maketh vsus to remember him, and by true repentance to turne vntounto him. An example wee hauehave in this 2. Chron▪ 33. 12. 13.place, in the Iſraelites in the time of the Iudges, in Manaſſes, and the prodigall ſonne.Luke 15.
Laſtly, wee may obſerue the motiues, perſwading the The motiues which perſwade the Church to turne vntounto God.Church to returne vntounto God: the firſt whereof is contained in the word husband, for therein ſhe gathereth vntounto her ſelfe ſome aſſurance of his louelove: for although for her ſinnes ſhe was diuorced, yet vponupon her true repentance, ſhe might gather certaine hope, that ſhe ſhould be pardoned and receiued into former grace, ſeeing ſhe had not to deale with an enemie or ſtranger, and an ordinarie friend, but with a moſt louing and gratious husband, who was as readie to forgiue as ſhe to aske forgiuenes, Ierem. 3. 1. 12. 22. The ſecond motiue Iere. 3 1. 12. 22is the aſſurance of the bettering of her eſtate; for ſhe could ſpeake by experience that her eſtate whileſt ſhe ſerued the Lord, was much better then when ſhe followed Idols, and by the aſſurance of faith and hope ſhe was aſſertained, that repenting ſhe ſhould be receiued to grace, and reſtored to her former ſtate & condition. The like example we hauehave in the prodigall ſonne, who returned vntounto God becauſe hee knew him to be his gratious father, and was aſſured that being reconciled vntounto him, hee ſhould be deliuered out of his preſent miſerie into a ſtate of happineſſe.
Where we may learne, that true faith is the cauſe of vnfained repentance: for vntill we hauehave ſome aſſurance of Gods louelove and merciemercy in Chriſt, wee flee from him as from a ſeuere Iudge: but when wee know that Chriſt our Mediatour hath ſatisfied for our ſins, and reconciled vsus vntounto his Father, then doe we bewaile our ſinnes, becauſe we hauehave by them diſhonoured and diſpleaſed our gratious Father; and hauing repented of them, wee goe boldly vntounto the throne of grace, crauing merciemercy and forgiueneſſe: Heb. 4. 16. 10. 22.Heb. 4. 16. 10. 22.