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.]

VERS. 1.

Set the Trumpet to thy mouth: he shall come as an Eagle against the House of the LORD: because they have transgressed my Covenant, and trespassed against my Law.

THE Prophet still continues the Denuncia∣tion of Judgment against Israel, with the Declaration and Aggravation of their sins.

Set the Trumpet to thy mouth.* 1.1

Let there be a full,* 1.2 and free, and open ma∣nifestation of the sin and the danger of Israel: The same com∣mandement that we have here to the Prophet, we have in

the 58 of Isa. at the beginning to the Prophet there, Cry a∣loud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a Trumpet, shew my people their transgression, and the House of Jacob their sin.

Ministers must not only be Trumpeters of the Gospel, Trumpeters of Mercy and Peace,* 1.3 but Trumpeters of Judgment and of War; they are set to give warning to people of danger, and wo to them if they do not, God will require the blood of people at their hands. How ever peoples spirits may be against it, against the free and bold work of the Ministry in denouncing Judgments, yet the spirits of Gods Ministers must go on in their way:* 1.4 Luther in his time for the freedom and boldness of his spirit inveighing against the sins of the times, he was called the very Trumpet of Rebellion, he en∣veighs against their sins and threatens Judgments, and they exclaim against him, they are as loud against him, and trum∣pet out their exclamations against him, calling of him the Trumpet of Rebellion and sedition. If a Town be besieged by the enemy, it is not the crying of children or women that must hinder the beating up of the Drums,* 1.5 nor the roa∣ring of the Canon. God takes it exceeding ill at his Mini∣sters hands to be mealy mouthed, when his wrath is incensed; and therefore he calls the Watchmen that did not give war∣ning by an ignominious name, DƲMB DOGS, that cannot bark,* 1.6 in Isa. 56. 10. I remember Pliny in his 29. Book, 4. Chapter, tells of the Dogs in Rome, that were set to keep the Capitol, because when the Gauls did scall the Capitol, the Dogs being fed too full, lay sleeping and did not give war∣ning; they therefore not only hanged them up, but every yeer the Romans observed that time of the yeer, and on that day, hanged up certain Dogs in the City for exemplary Ju∣stice, by way of crucifying of them alive upon an Elder tree,* 1.7 and upon this ground it is thought that the Romans did so hate that kind of death, of hanging upon a tree. And there∣fore it was the more cursed death that Christ died to hang up∣on a tree. It is that that God is exceedingly provoked against his Watchmen for, if they give not warning.

Hosea had proclaimed war before this in the name of the Lord,* 1.8 but he must do it again; from whence the Note is further.

That Gods Ministers must not be weary of their work though they see little good come of it;* 1.9 yea so far from being weary or discouraged as their spirits must rise up in their intentions strength and fervency of it.

Before Hosea's voice was the voice of a man;* 1.10 but now it is the sound of a Trumpet: Let wickedness stop her mouth, but let the mouths of Gods Servants be opened, yea let a Trumpet be set against their mouths in disclai∣ming against the wickedness of the times wherein they live.

Thirdly,* 1.11 The denunciation of threatning in the Name of God, it is a terrible sound, if men be not afraid of this Trumpet, and awakened by it, there is a time that shall a∣waken them, when a Trumpet (I say) shall awaken them and make them afraid, when the Arch Angel shall blow his Trumpet, those that are most awakned and fears the sound of this Trumpet shall have the most comfort when the Trumpet of the Arch Angel shall blow.

He shall come as an Eagle.

Luther upon the place thinks this Prophesie meant against Judah,* 1.12 because of the naming of the House of the Lord, as follows after. And then this Eagle must be understood of Nebuchadnezzer, who is called an Eagle in Ezek. 17. 3. and Jer. 48. 40.* 1.13 But rather I think it to be meant of the Assyri∣an, for the Prophet here is prophesying against the ten Tribes, and he seems to take away the two great confiden∣ces that they had whereby they hoped that they were not in so great danger.

The first was, that they had made a league with Egypt which [ 1] was nigh hand, as for the Assyrian he was a great way off, and there was not so much danger to be thought of the Assyrians.

[ 2] Secondly: As they imagined they had the house of the Lord with them, and did worship the true God. Now the Prophet takes away these two, He shall come as an Eagle, a∣gainst the House of the Lord:* 1.14 that is, the Assyrian, Salmanes∣ser he is called an Eagle, and because he was to come with an Army, therefore an Eagle; (and it may be his [ 1] Ensign might be an Eagle) you know the parts of Ar∣mies are called Wings, and so is compared to an Eagle, to shew to them that their danger is not so far off as they ima∣gin. [ 2] He shall come as an Eagle, that is swiftly, with a migh∣ty [ 3] force and vehemency; and he shall have an Eagles spi∣rit, [ 4] an Eagles eye: the Eagle is quick sighted, and the spi∣rit [ 5] of an Eagle is not easily daunted: and yet it is observa∣ble that in the Law the Eagle was an unclean bird,* 1.15 though the Eagle the King of Fowls, and of a brave spirit, yet he was unclean, God would not have the Eagle offered in sa∣crifice, but rather the Dove, God many times doth not re∣gard Eagles spirits,* 1.16 those that sore aloft and fly on high, but he doth receive Dove-like spirits, such as are of meek and quiet spirits.

But he shall come as an Eagle swiftly, that is upon the prey before it is aware.

Men flatter themselves when danger is at any distance from them,* 1.17 if it be not just upon them, then think them∣selves safe, but God can bring evil suddenly and iresista∣bly upon them. In Isa. 5. 26. He will lift up an Ensign to the Nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth:* 1.18 and behold, they shall come with speed swiftly. Gual∣ter upon this place applies it to the Turks coming into some part of Germany, they were come on a sudden from the uttermost part of Europe, yea from Asia, and so Spain and Secily, and Italy; God, to punish the contempt of the Gospel,* 1.19 brought them suddenly upon them. Howsoever the Lord hath delivered us hitherto from forreign Nations, we think our selves secure because God hath put work enough into their hands for the present, the Danes, French, Spa∣niards,

but how easily is it for the Lord in an instant when there is no fear of them at all, to bring them swiftly.

Secondly,* 1.20 All the swiftness, and fierceness and quick-sighted∣ness, and spirit of an enemy is from the Lord: If an enemy be swift in his course, and quick-sighted and fierce, and hath a strong spirit we are to attribute this from the Lord.

Thirdly,* 1.21 Wicked men in satisfying their rage and malice, they are as Eagles; much more should we be in our service, we should not be slow: if they be to sati••fie their rage as Ea∣gles, we should imitate them in this to be much more so in the service of God. But it follows,

He shall come as an Eagle against the House of the Lord.

Interpreters differ much about this, Against the House of the Lord:* 1.22 because Hosea prophesied against the ten Tribes, therefore Luther and divers others think that this clause must be meant against Judah, as if God threatning Israel should say, do not you think to escape, for the enemy shall come as an Eagle even against the house of the Lord.* 1.23 But we need not strain it so, for it may be meant against the ten Tribes notwithstanding this expression, upon this ground: because they called that place, the Eminent place, [ 1] where one of their Calves were set up, they call'd it Bethel, the House of God: and so ironically here the houses of their Idols may be called the House of the Lord, because they chose those Houses and Places instead of the House of the Lord. He will come against the House of the Lord; that is, against that which you account so. But I think that is not [ 2] satisfactory, but rather this: the Church of Israel though very corrupt, yet before their actual devorce, is call'd the House of the Lord, so that from thence then the note is:

That God doth not presently cast away a Church so as to un∣church it though they may be guilty of many hainous sins.* 1.24 Great sins do not ipso facto, do not un-church a Church therefore there should be much patience before any do decline from a

Church by way of renouncing it.

It is a high expression of the priviledg of a Church,* 1.25 that it is the House of the Lord, wheresoever there is any true Church, yea though it be very corrupt. But you will say, What do you mean by a true Church? I take it for the present nothing but this: Any company of Saints in body to set up what Ordinance of God they know,* 1.26 that's a Church wheresoever it is, and here God dwels, here God keeps house;* 1.27 and it is good keeping house with God; He is worse than an Infidel that provides not for his own house: cer∣tainly God will provide for his own House: Moses was faithful in al the House of God; that is, in all the Church of God: What then though thou dwellest in a poor Cottage, so be it thou beest a Member of the Church of God? if God give thee this blessing to dwell in his own House, you are well enough. In Psal. 26. 8. Lord I have loved the habitation of thy House, and the place where thine Honor dwelleth. The Church is not only Gods House,* 1.28 but the House wherein the Honor of God dwelleth. Princes may have some houses where they may retire to for a time, but they have some principal Houses to shew their magnificence and glo∣ry; and such a house is the Church of God unto the Lord; all then that are in the Church, especially Officers, must behave themselves and be faithful in the Church as in the House of God,* 1.29 He will come against the House of the Lord.

Though we be Gods House,* 1.30 yet the enemies may be suf∣fered to come upon us, it will not serve us if we transgress the Covenant: Joab was pluck'd from the horns of the Altar; and so may we be pluck'd even out of the House of God; Gods own House is no security to sin and wicked∣ness. It follows.

Because they have transgressed my Covenant.

God loves to cleer his Justice, and to shew what the cause of the evil is that comes upon us, he would have it cleerly

charged upon our selves, that we may not put it off to Gods Decree, that we are predestinated to such and such evils, but the Lord hath his time to charge all the evils that comes upon sinners, upon themselves; Thy destruction is of thy self; the bond that is between God and his Church, it is his Covenant, and all the good or evil of a Church depends upon the Covenant; and therefore it was the way alwaies of the people of God when they were far de∣clined from God, to return unto him by way of renew∣ing Covenant;* 1.31 in Psal. 25. 10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to them that keep his Covenant; and especially all our good now depends upon the Covenant more than formerly the good of the people of the Jews did, because the Lord hath sealed the Covenant now with the blood of Jesus Christ actually, which was not so then. But for this expression we had it formerly, and somewhat was spoken about the opening of the Covenant of the Jews and what kind of Covenant it was, but yet not then fully o∣pened, and as then I said, so still I look at it as a Point that will require a particular Exercise of its self.

And trespassed against my Law.

Saith Calvin upon the place,* 1.32 further to covince them, to shew that it was not through ignorance that they did transgress, they could not say, Lord, what is thy Cove∣nant? for saith God, I did make it known cleerly in my Law, they had it plainly set out in my Law: The Hea∣then can know the mind of God no otherwise but only by looking into the book of the Creature, and there the mind of God is written but very darkly, & they can see but little of it there: I but saith God, my people have my Law where my mind is written plainly, and they may see it there and know what my Covenant is with them, and therefore their sin is so much the greater, they have transgressed against my Law. The Seventy translate these words, They have

dealt ungodlily against my Law:* 1.33 and the word especially hath reference to the worship of God that is commanded in the Law, they have not worshiped me according to my Law; for though God looks at every part of his Law, yet more especially at that that requires his more immediate worship. And in the Hebrew it is, they have prevaricated a∣gainst my Law,* 1.34 they have made a shew that they would do what my Law requires but they do quite contrary, that's the propriety of the word in the Hebrew. What people is there in the world but will make some shew, that they would obey Gods Law? no people but say it is fit that they should be obedient to Gods Law, what variety of opinions and practices are there among men, and yet all will father their opinions and practices upon Gods Law? and mark, but they do prevaricate in this; they pretend one thing but they go quite the contrary way, and this is that which God charges his people withal, upon which he would send his enemies, even an Eagle upon them. It follows.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Text.
• * 1.2

  2. Apptic. by para∣phrase.
• * 1.3

  Obs. 1
• * 1.4

  Luther called the trumpet of rebellion
• * 1.5

  simile
• * 1.6

  Pliny
• * 1.7

  Why cru∣cifying on a tree was so hateful to the Ro∣mans.
• * 1.8

  Expos. 3.
• * 1.9

  Obser. 2.
• * 1.10

  The para∣phrase.
• * 1.11

  Obs. 3.
• * 1.12

  Luther
• * 1.13

  Author.
• * 1.14

  The Assy∣rians Ar∣my, why an Eagle.
• * 1.15

  Why the Eagle was unclean under the Law.
• * 1.16

  Obs. Go•• accepts not Eagles, but Doves.
• * 1.17

  Obs. 1.
• * 1.18

  Gualt.
• * 1.19

  Applied to England.
• * 1.20

  Obs. 2
• * 1.21

  Obs. 3.
• * 1.22

  Luther.
• * 1.23

  Author.
• * 1.24

  Obs. 1.
• * 1.25

  Obs. 2.
• * 1.26

  A true Church.
• * 1.27

  Use. 'Tis good dwel∣ling in Gods house
• * 1.28

  Ps. 26. 8. explained.
• * 1.29

  Officers of the Church
• * 1.30

  Obs. 3.
• * 1.31

  The good of Christi∣ans de∣pends upon the Cove∣nant more than for∣merly.
• * 1.32

  Calvin
• * 1.33

  The 70. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.34

  Praevari∣cati. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉