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.]

They are all wicked, all of them revolters.

Some of them there were that made some kind of shew at their first coming in,* 1.1 when they came first to the Crown they gave great hopes (some of them) that they would have better times than they had before,* 1.2 and that things that were evil in former Princes Reigns would now be re∣formed, but within a while they went all the same way; you know Jehu, and so some others went in a fair way at first, but they all turned to be revolters; from whence our Notes are: First, See what CREATURE ENGAGE∣MENTS are:* 1.3 see what engagements will work in the hearts of men when they are engaged in their honors, and in their prefer∣ments

in their great places of Dignities and Powers, and Profits and Gain▪ see what they will do: evil Princes being enga∣ged and afraid of losing their power; if any should go to Jerusalem to worship, they all went in one stream, not one of them was taken off from their great Engagements; in∣deed many in smaller matters may be taken off to God, but if it come to a great matter, then none; perhaps some poor Ministers that had little livings (you know) heretofore, they would be taken off, and see the Truths of God, and the sinfulness of Ceremonies; but where did your Deans, and Bishops? where did any of the Prelates that had great Engagements? they would never see the Truth that now almost every body sees, their great Engagements hindered them. And so the great Engagements of Princes hindered them though the Truth was cleer enough.

Secondly; This is brought as the cause of the evil of the People, they were all wicked, no mervail though the people were so,* 1.4 According to peoples interests so they are, as they see those above them go that have power over them, that way people will go. Ephraim was wicked, because all their Princes were revolters. Those that are in places of power they drive the people along before them, for (I say) God hath little honor in the world but as it sutes in mens Interests,* 1.5 according as they have Interest this way or that way.* 1.6

Thirdly, They are all Revolters.

From this the Note is this,* 1.7 That Princes though they should be used with reverence, yet must not be flattered, but their sins must he shewed plainly unto them,* 1.8 [They are all Revolters,] though they can hardly bear it. Touch the Mountains and they will smoke, touch the great men, reprove but them, and presently the heat of their wrath rises and they smoke even w^th indignation. But yet those that are faithful about them they should trust God with their places,* 1.9 and estates, and with their lives; Oh had we but those about Princes that would deal faithfully and shew to them how far the

guilt of blood may be upon them, and the evil of it might be upon them, Certainly it would be otherwise with us than it is at this day: had we but Latimers and Deerings (that worthy Preacher in Queen Elizabeths time) It's said of Latimer,* 1.10 that sending a Book to King Henry the Eigth, he writes in the first Page of it, Whoremongers and A∣dulterers God will Judg: and Deering in his Sermons even be∣fore the Queen speaking of disorders of the times, and these and these things are thus and thus, and you sit still and do nothing: and again, even before her face, prea∣ching to her, (saith he) may we not well say with the Pro∣phet, It's the mercy of the Lord that we are not consumed, seeing there is so much disobedience both in Subjects, and in Prince: Certainly much good might come had we men of such Spirits as heretofore have been.* 1.11 All their Princes are Re∣volters.

Fourthly,* 1.12 When Princes one after another are wicked, there's little hope of good then to a people. The Saints under the perse∣cution of one they groan and cry to God, but another comes and oppresses them more. We had need therefore pray for those in high places, for Princes, for it concerns much the people, as we shall see more after. It follows.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Expos.
• * 1.2

  Princes when they come first to the crown pro∣mise fair.
• * 1.3

  Obs. 1.
• * 1.4

  Obs. 2.
• * 1.5

  Use.
• * 1.6

  Let Ma∣gistrates consider.
• * 1.7

  Obs. 3.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 104. 32. refle∣cted on.
• * 1.9

  Servants to great men exhorted.
• * 1.10

  Latimers and Deer∣lings spi∣rit.
• * 1.11

  Note.
• * 1.12

  Obs. 4.