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.]

But the Lord accepteth them not.

As if he said: I would not have them, I was not plea∣sed with them:* 1.1 Whatsoever our services be, If self be re∣garded, all is rejected, not only if sin be regarded, If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear my prayer, but if self be regarded, our services may please our selves but not please God; and for this you have a famous Scrip∣ture in Amos, 5. 22.* 1.2 I will not regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts; and this text in Amos hath a special reference to this very thing, and Amos was contemporary with Ho∣sea,* 1.3 and so met with the very same thing that here Hosea did, this text in Amos may help us to understand this in Hosea, I will not accept the offering of your fat beasts; but ob∣serve it, they are their peace offerings; he doth not say, I will not accept the burnt offerings of your fat beasts: but of your peace offerings, because in their peace offerings they eat part of it themselves, and saith God, let your offerings be never such fa•• beasts, yet I will not accept of them: so let your duties be never so zealous and abundant, yet if they be only in respect of your selves, God accepts them not. It follows.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Obs. 4.
• * 1.2

  Amos. 5. 22.
• * 1.3

  Amos & Hosea contempo∣raries, con∣sent in Do∣ctrine.