An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth, & tenth chapters of the prophesy of Hosea being first delivered in several lectures at Michaels Cornhil, London / by Jeremiah Burroughs ; being the seventh book published by Thomas Goodwin ... [et al.]

And then, Ephraim hath made many Altars to sin.

God still remembers the first and the chief Actors in sin

[Ephraim] he speaks to the ten Tribes, and yet only names Ephraim,* 1.1 because the Governors were of that Tribe. The chief in a family, by whom the whol family is corrupted, and the chief in a Town or Country, God hath an eye upon them, and though others escape they shall not, E∣phraim hath multiplied Altars to sin; they intended not to sin, it was not their intention when they made Altars that they might sin, they thought they pleased God, but God accounts it ••n, and a provocation to him:

And from thence the Note is only this;* 1.2 That whatsoever names we may give to things, yet (it may be) God will give other names and titles to them; we may say, that it is devotion, God will say, it is superstition; we may say, it's good in∣tention, but God may say, it is presumption; we may say, it is prudence, and wisdom, but God may give it ano∣ther name, and say it is temporising, 'tis time-serving, God doth use to give other names to things than we do;* 1.3 in the Scripture they call their Images their,* 1.4 delectable things: God calls them detestable things. No question if you would ask them why they built Altars they would say, to the ho∣nor of God; but saith God, You built Altars to sin.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Obs. 1.
• * 1.2

  Obs. 2.
• * 1.3

  Isa. 44. 9.
• * 1.4

  Ezek. 37. 23.