Lectures Upon Hosea 1-4, Lectures 4 · Part 7
ANd ſo much concernig the ſecond ſinne, laide to the charge of the Prieſts: the third followeth together with the puniſhment denounced againſt it. Verſe. 7. As they were Verſe. 7 increaſed ſo they ſinned againſt mee; therefore will I change their glorie into ſhame. The which words containe two parts: Expoſition.firſt, the Prieſts ſinne: ſecondly, their puniſhment. Their ſinne was the vngratfull abuſe of Gods abundant bleſsings and rich mercies, multiplyed vponupon them; in theſe wordes: As they were increaſed the more they ſinned againſt me. Where hee expreſſeth both the bleſsings multiplyed vponupon the Prieſts, and their abuſe of them; the bleſsings in theſe words, as they were increaſed. Whereby is ſignified, not onelyonly that the Lord had multiplyed the Prieſts in number, but alſo (and that as I take it more principally) that he had increaſed them in riches, power, and dignitie aboue the reſt of the people; the which extraordinary benefites, ſhould hauehave wrought in them an extraordinary meaſure of thankfulneſſe and care to glorifie God, ſeeing he was the ſole authour of all their preferment; as he alſo implyeth, whereas he ſaith, not that they had thus increaſed themſelues, but that they were increaſed, namely by the Lord their God.
Their ſinne was their vngratefull abuſe of theſe benefits, in theſe words: So they ſinned againſt me, that is, the more I multiplyed my bleſsings vponupon them, the more they multiplyed their ſinnes againſt me: for thus this word (So) is ſomtimes taken: as Exod. 1. 12. But as they vexed them ſo they Exod. 1. 12.multiplyed, that is, the more they vexed them, the more they multiplyed, as our tranſlation alſo hath it. So in this Prophecie. Chap. 11. 2. They called them, ſo they went from them, that Hoſ. 11. 2.is, the more they called them, the more they went from them. This then was their ſinne, that whereas Gods liberall bounty towards them, ſhould hauehave made them thankfull to God, and zealous of his glory: contrariwiſe, his benefites made them wanton proud, and forgetfull of God; and not onelyonly negligent of all good duetyes; but ready to commit any iniquitie and impietie againſt God. The which ſinne▪ as it is odious in all, ſo eſpecially in the Prieſts, as ſome alſo thinke it is implyed in the words, againſt me, which they tranſlate, Sic peccauerunt mihi, they hauehave ſinned to me, wherby is intimated that the Prieſts ſins, who draw neere vntounto God, and not onelyonly profeſſe his law themſelues, but alſo teach others, do more neerely touch the Lord, diſhonor his name, and prouoke his wrath, then the ſins of the ordinarie people; euen as the crimes of a Steward whom his Lord putteth in truſt with the reſt of the familie, doe more diſcredite his maiſter, and incenſe his anger, then the faults of the common ſeruants.
The puniſhment denounced againſt this ſinne is contained in theſe words: therefore I will change their glorie into ſhame; where by glory, we are to vnderſtand al thoſe benefits of riches, power and honour in which the Lord had increaſed them; all which he comprehendeth vnderunder the name glory, becauſe they were their glory, or the things wherein they chiefely gloryed. So, whereas he ſaith, that hee would turne their glory into ſhame, the meaning is, that he would depriue them of all theſe benefits belonging to the Prieſt-hood, and ſo expoſe them to ſhame & reproach. As though he ſhould hauehave ſaid, becauſe you hauehave vngratefully abuſed all thoſe benefits and prerogatiues which I hauehave endowed you with, aboue all the reſt of my people, and in ſtead of the fruits of louelove, thankfulneſſe and obedience, hauehave taken occaſion by my benefits the more to diſhonour me, and to prouoke my diſpleaſure, by multiplying your ſinnes againſt me; therefore I will ſtrip you vtterly of all my bleſsings, in which your chiefe glory conſiſteth, and ſo expoſe you to be ſcorned and deſpiſed of all who hauehave ſeene your paſſed glory, and now behold your preſent miſery.
And this puniſhment was accordingly inflicted. Firſt, when as the Lord expoſed theſe ignorant Prieſts to the contempt of the people; but principally when as they were led into captiuitie, at what time not only the glory of the Prieſt-hood, but the Prieſt-hood it ſelfe ceaſed: and ſo they who were Captaines and leaders, became as common ſouldiers, yea, as miſerable captiues vnderunder their enimies, who had no reſpect of their place and calling.
And ſo much for the meaning of the wordes: the The priuiledges of the Miniſterie.doctrines are theſe. Firſt, wee may obſerue that the Lord aduanceth his Prieſthood & Miniſterie, and endoweth them with many ſingular prerogatiues and priuiledges, aboue the reſt of the people, as he noteth in this place: the which may further appeare if wee conſider their function and calling; for they are choſen of God to ſtand in his ſtead, to repreſent his owne perſon, and to performe his owne worke which himſelf performed vntounto his Church in the dayes of the Patriarks, vntil Moſes time. For then the Lord taught them with his owne mouth, vntill the Iſraelites being terrified with his feareful voyce, earneſtly deſired that they might be informed in Gods will by the Miniſterie of men. Deut. 18. 18. So Deut. 18. 18.our Sauiour performed this office and function, whileſt he remayned on the earth; but when he aſcended into heauen he appointed his Miniſters to ſupply his place, & to inſtruct his Church. Mat. 28. 19. So that now they are in his ſtead, Mat. 28. 19.and as his ambaſſadours doe deliuer the word of reconciliation vntounto the people. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Whoſe voyce if the people 2. Cor. 5. 20.here and obey, the Lord acknowledgeth that obedience as done to himſelfe; whom if they diſpiſe, he accounteth the contempt offered againſt his owne perſon. Luk. 10. 16.Luk. 10. 16.
But their dignitie and the greatneſſe of their priuiledges God Miniſters are his mouth to the people.will better appeare, if wee conſider their office and Miniſterie, and the titles wherewith in the Scriptures the holie ghoſt hath honoured them. For Firſt, in the Miniſterie of the word, they are the mouth of God to the people, and his ambaſſadours; who performe his owne worke; as it is, 1. 1. Cor. 16. 10.Cor. 16. 10. euen the worke of reconciliation, juſtification, ſanctification and ſaluation. And therefore the Lord vouchſafeth them this dignitie to be called foreign, Fellow 1. Cor. 3. 9.labourers with God, vntounto whoſe moſt glorious and infinite Maieſtie, it is an aduancement aboue the worthyneſſe of the moſt excellent creature, to be acknowledged his meaneſt ſeruant.
So in prayer, they are the mouth of the people vntounto God, The mouth of the people to God.and as it were the ambaſſadours generall of the earth, by whom they make their ſuits knowne vntounto God, intreat a ſupply of their wants, and returne thankſgiuing vntounto the Lord for all his benefits.
In like manner the Lord hath committed vntounto them the adminiſtration of the Sacraments, which are the ſeales of his They are the keepers of Gods ſeales the Sacarmentscouenant; whereby all his gracious promiſes, are ratified & confirmed vntounto vsus; ſo that as in reſpect of the rich treaſure of Gods word, committed to their diſpoſing, they are the Lords treaſurers; ſo in reſpect of the Sacraments, they are the keepers of his great ſeales. Now if theſe offices be great vnderunder mortall Princes, in corruptible thinges: how are theſe officers aduanced who are vnderunder in theſe places the King of Kings? who diſpence not tranſitorie trifles, but heauenly treaſures; nor ſeale aſſurances of earthly patrimonies, but of an eternall inheritance and a moſt glorious kingdome.
But come we from their office to their titles, and we ſhall The titles giuen to the Miniſterie.find that they are much aduanced aboue others: For the reſt of Gods people are called his ſeruants, theſe his ſtewards, Luk. 12 42. who hauehave the cuſtodie of his keyes committed Luk. 12. 42.vntounto them, that they may releeue thoſe of the familie who are obedient out of their ſtore, and ſhut the ſtubborne and rebellious out of the doores. Mat. 16. 19. They are called the Mat. 16. 19.Lords ſheepe, theſe the ſhepheards. Ezech. 34. 2. They the Ezech. 34. 2.Lords corne and harueſt, theſe his husbandmen, Mat. 9. 37. Mat. 9. 37.They the Lords Plants in his garden, Cant. 4. 13. theſe his Cant. 4. 13.gardeners who plant & water them, 1 Cor. 3. 6. They liuing ſtones in the temple of God, theſe maiſter builders, 1 Cor. 3. 1. Cor. 3. 6. and 3. 9.9. who finiſh this worke and bring it to perfection, Ephe. 4. 12. 13. They children in Gods familie, theſe ſpirituall fathers, Ephe. 4. 12. 13.who by the ſeede of the word beget them vntounto God▪ 1 Cor. 4. 15.1. Cor. 4. 15.
And theſe were the ſpirituall prerogatiues, with which The temporall priuiledges of the Miniſteriethe Lord hath endowed his Prieſthood and Miniſterie; beſides which hee allotted vntounto them many temporall priuiledges; as for example, the double honour of reuerence and maintenance: for in reſpect of the firſt, none were in greater honour & account among the people, next vnderunder the King, then the Lords Prieſts: and for the other none more plentifully maintayned then they, who had not onelyonly the tithes, but the firſt fruits, oblations, and daily ſacrifices; all which they had not at the peoples deuotions, but chalenged them in Gods right as being his portion, which when he gaue vntounto them the land he reſerued for himſelfe. Neither is the Lords liberalitie ſhortened towards his Miniſters in the time of the Goſpell, for he hath commanded the people to giuegive vntounto them double honour: the honour of reuerence, and the honour of maintenance, as appeareth, 1 Tim. 5. 17. 18. For if 1. Tim. 5. 17. 18.the Lords care were ſuch both for the honour and maintenance of the legall Miniſtrie and Prieſthood, which was the Miniſterie of the letter which killeth, the Miniſtrie of death and condemnation; how much more that the Miinſterie of the new couenant, which is the Miniſterie of the ſpirit that giueth life, and the Miniſterie of righteouſneſſe, (that is, whereby we of ſinners are made righteous) ſhould excell in glorie, as the Apoſtle reaſoneth. 2 Cor. 3. 6. 7. 8. 9.2. Cor. 3. 6 7.
The vſe of this doctrine reſpecteth both Miniſters and people: the Miniſters, firſt, for inſtruction; that ſeeing the Lord hath aduanced them to ſuch Honour and Dignitie, they walke worthy this high calling, thinking no paines too much which they ſhall take for the aduancement of Gods glory, who hath ſo exceedingly honoured them.
Secondly, for their conſolation & encouragement againſt all Conſolation for Gods Miniſters againſt contempt.the miſerie, pouertie, reproch & contempt which they ſuffer in this life. For though outwardly they are poore and deſtitute of all worldly pompe, yet they are like the Kings daughter, all glorious within; though they are deſpiſed of men, yet they are highly eſteemed before God; though the world eſteemeth them as the very ofscouring of all things, yet the Lord hath choſen them to be his chiefe Officers, his Ambaſſadours, his Stewards, his Keepers of the ineſtimable Treaſure of his Word, and of his great ſeales, the Sacraments of Baptiſme and the Lords Supper.
The vſe which concerneth the people is, that they honour The people ought to reuerence Gods Miniſters.them whom God thus honoureth, and that they behaue themſelues towards their Miniſters, as it becommeth the reſt of the familie to behaue themſelues towards the ſteward or Treaſurer; the people towards the Ambaſſadour; yea the children towards their fathers. For looke what honor is done vntounto them, as being Gods Ambaſſadours, that the Lord accounterh as done vntounto himſelfe, whoſe perſon they ſuſtain; looke what diſgrace and reproach is offred againſt them as being his Miniſters, the Lord eſteemeth it as offred againſt himſelfe, and therefore will neuer let it goe vnpuniſhed, eyther in this life or in the life to come: for if Dauid could not endure thoſe inſolent abuſes which were by Hanun offered 2. Sam. 10.againſt his Ambaſſadours, whom in louelove and kindneſſe he ſent vntounto him, but reuenged them with the death and deſtruction of a great part of the people of Ammon: how much leſſe can the Lord endure that reproach, injuries & outrages, ſhould be offred againſt his Ambaſſadors, and not reuenge theſe indignities, which are not ſo much offred againſt men, as in them againſt himſelfe? Fearefull examples hereof wee hauehave in the Scriptures, as in the conſpiracy of Corah and his aſſociates, whom the earth ſwallowed quick. Numb. 16. In Numb. 6. 16.Ieroboam, whoſe hand was withered vp for the contempt and violence which he offred againſt the Lords Prophet. 1 Kin. 1. King. 13.13. In the two Captaines & their fifties, who were deſtroyed with fire from heauen, becauſe they came not to the Lords Prophet, with that ſubmiſsiue reuerence which beſeemed them. 2 King. 1. 9. 10. 11. 12. In the fiftie two children 2. King. 1. 9. 10who were deſtroyed by Bears, for ſcoffing at Eliſha. 2 Kin. 2 2. King. 2.And the in people of Iſraell, who becauſe they mocked the meſſengers of God, and deſpiſed their wordes, and miſvſed the Prophets, therefore they were ſubjected to Gods heauie 2. Chro. 36. 16. 17.wrath, and in the end vtterly deſtroyed. 2 Chro. 36. 16. 17.
The ſecond thing to be obſerued is the gorſe ingratitude Our vngratefull abuſe of Gods benefits.of our corrupt natures: whereby it commeth to paſſe that the more God multiplyeth his mercies, the more ready we are to rebell againſt him, and to prouoke his wrath by our ſinnes; for whereas Gods manifould benefits multiplyed vponupon vsus ſhould make vsus to humble our ſelues before him, in that he hath made vsus ſo deepely indebted to his infinite goodneſſe; we contrariwiſe abuſing them, make them ſerue as ſo many ſteps whereby we may aſcend into the ſeate of pride; whereas they ſhould ſerue as ſo many common places to put vsus in minde of Gods gracious goodnes towards vsus; we abuſing them are made hereby more forgetfull of God, as though now being throughly furniſht, vve had no further neede of his helpe; vvhereas they ſhould ſerue as ſo many motiues to ſtirre vsus vp to holy obedience, that thereby vvee may glorifie God, the author of all our good; vve hereby grow more vndutifull, like cockred children towards their Parents, or pampred horſes towards their maiſters, and are more ready to fall into the ſinnes of pride, voluptuouſneſſe, louelove of the world, profaneneſſe, and vtter neglect of religion and all religious dueties; whereas the abundance of Gods bleſsings vvhichwhich vve injoy, ſhould make vsus to pittie, and take compaſsion on thoſe who want them, they abuſed through our corruption, doe make vsus to diſdaine & contemne them; furious and cruell in reuenge, and inſolent in offring wrongs and injuries. And hence it is that the Lord doth ſo carefully vvarne the Iſraelites, that when they did injoy all the bleſſings of Canaan, they ſhould not forget and rebell againſt him. Deut. 6. 10. 11. 12. Into vvhichwhich ſinne they ſhamefully Deut. 6. 10. 11. Pſal. 62. 10. 1. Tim. 6. 17.fell, notwithſtanding they were thus admoniſhed. So Pſal. 62. 10. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Examples of this vngratefull abuſe of Gods bleſsing, we hauehave in Saul, Ieroboam, Naball, Nebuchadnezzar, Hoſ. 10. 1. and 13. 6.the people of Iſraell: but neuer vvas age more fruitfull of theſe examples, neuer land more plentifull in theſe vngratefull preſidents, then this of ours; wherein the more the bleſsings of God abound, the more pride, forgetfulneſſe of God, contempt of Religion, and the vtter neglect of all holy duties abound likewiſe; ſo that hard it is to finde a man bettered by Gods benefits; or more zealous of Gods glory, the more bleſsings they receiue from him; but contrariwiſe the more they abound in honors, riches, peace, health, and all kind of proſperity, the more they ſhew their profanenes, irreligion, worldlines and vtter neglect of all holy duties.
The vſe of this doctrine is, firſt, that ſeeing through our corruption we are ſo apt to abuſe Gods bleſsings, we be made hereby more watchfull ouer our owne hearts, when wee are in proſperitie, that we be not ouertaken with this vnthankfulneſſe, and that wee bee no more earneſt in begging theſe temporary benefits, then in praying alſo for an holy vſe of them, that they may ſerue as helps and furtherances vntounto vsus in all holy and Chriſtian dueties: for if the more we abound in them, the more we abound in ſinne againſt God, then doe they ceaſe to bee bleſsings and benefits, and become ſnares to intangle vsus, and thornes to choak in vsus all vertue and godlineſſe.
Secondly, that we arme our ſelues with patience, when as wee are not ſo much increaſed in theſe temporall benefits, ſeeing the Lord herein reſpecteth the good of his children, and with-holdeth worldly bleſsings from them, becauſe hee knoweth they would abuſe them vntounto ſinne.
Thirdly, that we be not vexed out of meaſure with impatiencie, when as thoſe of whom we hauehave beſt deſerued, doe ſhew themſelues vngratefull to vsus, conſidering that wee continually ſhew our ſelues much more vnthankfull againſt God, vntounto whom we are infinitely more indebted.
The third thing to be obſerued is, that the Lord condemneth Vngratefulnes condemned as a great ſinne.this vngratefull abuſe of his bleſsings and benefits, as a great ſinne, not onelyonly in this, but alſo in many other places, So Eſay. 1. 2. 3. he condemneth it as a vice worſe then brutiſh, Eſay. 1. 2. 3. & 5. 5.Eſay. 5. 5. he complaineth that when he had done what hee could for his vineyard, yet ſtill it brought forth wilde grapes: ſo Ezech. 16. 16. 17. that the people abuſed his bleſſings Ezech. 16. 16.as meanes to further them in Idolatry. So Hoſ. 10. 1. Hoſ. 10. 1. and 13. 6.and 13. 6. But as this ſinne is in all men grieuous, ſo it is in Gods Miniſters moſt haynous, both becauſe the bleſsings which they injoy being extraordinary, doe require extraordinarie thankfulneſſe, and alſo in that they are daylie informed out of Gods word, both whence they hauehave theſe benefites, and that the Lord for all, onelyonly requireth a thankfull heart, wee hauing nothing elſe to returne vntounto him.
Now this vnthankfull abuſe of Gods benefits vntounto ſinne, Ingratitude diuers wayes committed.is committed diuers wayes. Firſt, when as wee doe not acknowledge God the authour of the benefits which we injoy, but aſcribe them vntounto ſome other things; as vntounto Idols, an example vvhereof vvee hauehave in the Iſraelites, Ierem. 44. 17. Ier. 44. 17. Hoſ. 2. 5. 8.Hoſ. 2. 5. 8. or vntounto a mans owne wit, power, induſtrie, and labour, an example whereof vvee hauehave in the King of Aſhur, Eſay. 10. 13. and in Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 4. 27. Eſay. 10. 13. Dan. 4. 27. Hab. 1. 16.and this is to ſacrifice to our owne nets, as is is. Hab. 1. 16.
Secondly, when as knowing God to be the authour of the bleſsings which we enjoy, we doe not praiſe him with thankfull hearts, nor imploy his gifts to the aduancement of his glory, which are the chiefe ends for which he hath beſtowed them. Pſal. 105. 45.Pſal. 105. 45.
Laſtly, vvhen as vve abuſe Gods bleſsings as meanes and motiues to with-draw vsus from performing the dueties which God requireth of vsus, and to incite vsus to the committing of the contrary vices. As vvhen by Gods bleſsings vvee are made more ſlack and negligent in the dueties of his worſhip and ſeruice, as thoſe are who to maintaine ſtate, come not to the aſſemblies of Gods Saints, to heare the Word, and call vponupon his name, when as injoying proſperitie we be moued thereby to with-draw our hearts from God, and to ſet them vponupon the world; when as honours make vsus neglect him who hath aduanced vsus; when as riches like thorns choak in vsus the ſeede of the word, ſo as Gods ſpirituall graces cannot ſpring in vsus; when as injoying pleaſures, we wallow in theſe worldly delights, and ſpend that precious time wholy in them, which ſhould bee beſtowed in Gods ſeruice; when as by worldly proſperitie we are made more proud, inſolent, diſdainefull, impatient, reuengefull, cruell, vnmercifull, voluptuous, ſpending we care not what vponupon back, belly, and vponupon the filthy luſts of the fleſh. And this is the chiefe and moſt vngratefull abuſe of Gods benefits, when as we doe not onelyonly not glorifie him, but diſhonour and injure him in his owne gifts, as if the poore Subject being inriched by his Prince, ſhould imploy his riches in furniſhing himſelfe for the ſeruice of the Princes enimie: or as if the wife hauing from her husband abundance of all things, ſhould abuſe his gifts for the hiring and rewarding of filthy adulterers, as Ezech. 16. 16 17. 33. The ingratitude of this land.it is. Ezech. 16. 16. 17. 33.
The vſe of this doctrine ſerueth to conuince the greateſt part of our land, of this ſinne of vnthankfulneſſe, ſeeing the more the Lord multiplyeth his benefits of peace, proſperitie, and abundance of all good things, the more we multiply our ſins, abuſing his grace vntounto wantonneſſe, and his manifold bleſsings, as arguments to continue vsus in our impenitencie, ſecuritie and hardneſſe of hart. For are not thoſe moſt colde in all dueties of religion, who moſt abound with theſe benefites? doe they not choake the ſeed of the Word in the moſt, and make it vnfruitfull? and in ſtead of louing and prayſing God the more for his bleſsings, doe not men hereby grovv louers of the world, and forgetfull of God? doe not thoſe vvho abound moſt in wealth, honours, and pleaſures, imploy all to the diſhonour of God and the ſeruice of ſinne and ſathan, ſpending Gods gifts in pride, exceſsiue brauerie, ſurfetting, drunkenneſſe and filthy luſts of the fleſh, ſo that the Lord may in our time juſtly take vp this complaint of England, that the more he hath increaſed it in his benefits the more it hath ſinned againſt him.
The laſt thing to be obſerued is, the puniſhment of this vngratefull abuſe of Gods bleſsings, and that is whereſoeuer The puniſhment of ingratitude.Gods gifts are thus abuſed by any, there he will ſtrip them of them; and not onelyonly ſo, but will alſo bring vponupon them the contrarie euils: as in this place, becauſe they abuſed their honour and aduancement, hee doth not onelyonly threaten to take it from them, but to turne it into ſhame and reproach. So he threatneth his vineyard, that becauſe in ſtead of the ſweete grapes of righteouſneſſe, it brought forth nothing but the ſower grapes of ſinne, after he had beſtowed all his coſt and labour about it, he would not onelyonly abandon and let it alone, but pull downe the hedge, and lay it waſte to be deuoured of the beaſts of the field. So when as the children Eſay. 5.of Iſraell, were not moued by Gods benefits to louelove and obedience, but ſinned and prouoked him with their rebellions; he doth not onelyonly with-draw his bleſsings, but his wrath being inflamed againſt them he bringeth vponupon them his fearefull judgements: Wherevpon one maketh this concluſion, Quantò maiora beneficia ſunt hominibus conſtituta, tantò grauiora peccantibus iudicia: the greater benefits that Chryſo. ſuper Math.wee receiue from God, the greater ſhall bee our puniſhments, if we abuſe them vntounto ſinne. Mat. 11. 21.Mat. 11. 21.
The vſe hereof is, that ſeeing the Lord with a liberall hand That we muſt returne thankfulnes to God for his benefitshath ſowen the ſeed of his benefits amongſt vsus, wee returne vntounto him the harueſt of louelove, obedience, and thankfulneſſe; otherwiſe if wee vnthankfully abuſe Gods bleſsings vntounto ſinne, the Lord will not onelyonly ſtrip vsus of them, but alſo bring vponupon vsus the contrary euils: he vvill turne our peace into war, our libertie into tharldome, our health into ſickneſſe, our plentie into penurie & vvant, our glory into ſhame, and that vvhichwhich vve moſt feare ſhall come vponupon vsus: or elſe vvhichwhich is worſt of all, if he continue theſe his gifts, yet he vvill make them of bleſsings curſes, of benefits puniſhments, by giuing vsus ouer to our owne wayes, and ſuffering vsus to goe on as in all other our ſinnes, ſo namely in this horrible abuſe of his benefits, in the ſecuritie and hardneſſe of our owne harts, vntill he attach vsus by death, and call vsus to a reckoning before his ſeate of judgement, hovv vve hauehave ſpent, and vvhat vſe vve hauehave made of his talents, vvhen as not being able to anſwere one vvord, vve ſhall be bound hand and foote, and caſt into vtter darkneſſe, where ſhall be vveeping and gnaſhing Mat. 25. 30.of teeth.