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.]

VER. 6.

It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a Present to King Jareb.

WHAT King Jareb was you heard in the fifth Chapter:* 1.1 and his name signifies an Helper, as a Trophe. As now the King of France, The most Christian King. And so our King, The Defender of the Faith. And so King Jareb, the Helper. Now the Calves are to be sent to King Jareb, that was their help. Some think that they sent it for a Present; but the text will not bear that, but his Sol∣diers taking Dan and Bethel they rejoyced in getting the Calves, and sends them to King Jareb as a Trophe unto him, as that which they knew he would much rejoyce in, They rested much upon King Jareb as a help unto them, and now their kind of Religion, their very Religion is at Ja∣rebs dispose, for he hath now the Calves in his hand to do with them what he will.

From thence briefly our Note is this:* 1.2 Our depending upon men for help, is deerly bought, if it comes to that, that they shall have the dispose of our Religion. Jareb was their Helper, and they would have him to help them; but now their Calves are sent to him for a Present, and Jareb hath the dispose of them for their Religion that they had.

And then the second Note is this. In that they were sent to the King as a Present that he would rejoyce in.

That it is the way of Idolaters,* 1.3 to rejoyce much when they get one anothers gods. As when the Philistims got the Ark, they rejoyced much,* 1.4 they carried it to Dagons Temple. Also the enemies of the Church will rejoyce much if they can get the power to trample upon our Religion; they will rejoyce much if they can get your estates, but they wil rejoyce more if they can do what they will with you in the point of your Religion, Oh! this would be that which would

make them glad at the very heart that they could dispose of us for our Religion, Oh! let us know this beforehand that may make us cry to God the more earnestly, that the Lord what ever he gives them power over, that he would not give them power over our Religion; for that's the thing that they most aim at.

Ephraim shall receive shame.

Hierom upon the place hath this tradition of the Jews.* 1.5 (I'le but name it to you) he saith, (that it was received a∣mong them) That the Priests of the Calves had taken a∣way the golden Calves and put up Calves of brass instead of them and only gilt them over with Gold,* 1.6 and now the King of Israel when he was in straights sent these Calves to King Jareb for a Present to pacifie his anger, now when he had sent these Calves the King of Assyria made account that they were Calves of Gold, but afterwards when he found that they were of brass, he sent messengers to the King of Israel to tell him how he had but cozened him, and upon that, Oh the King and all the People were asha∣med. But this is but a tradition of theirs, and not very probable. But this I rather take to be the truth of it.

They were ashamed because of their own Counsels.

That is,* 1.7 their hopes first shall fail them, and they shall see their counsels that they took shall come to nothing, and this shal cause shame and confusion of face upon them. The ten Tribes shall receive shame. Failing in our hopes that make us to be ashamed. They had good hopes they should prevail because of their Calves,* 1.8 but now their Calves are taken from them, and now they are ashamed, In Job. 6. 20. They were confounded, because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed: they hoped to have relief, but had not, and therefore they were ashamed; the disap∣pointment

of hopes causes great shame. Oh then! what shame and confusion will there be at the great day when we shall be disappointed of our last hopes? If we had been disappointed of our hopes now in respect of our Adversa∣ries, Oh! what shame would have been upon the People of God, our Adversaries they would have cast shame upon us, and said, What's become of your fastings and prayers? As it's like the Assyrians did when they took the Calves, Oh! now we have got your Gods (say they) and upon this the people were ashamed: and so if our Adversaries had prevailed they would have scorn'd in the like manner. My Brethren, we have cause to bless the Lord from our souls that he hath delivered us from such a temptation, from such a temptation lest we should be ashamed of our hopes, though the truth is, If we had right we should not have been ashamed, for our hopes was not so much in the saving of our estates as this, That God would own his Cause in the conclusion, and so our hopes would not have fail'd; I but if our hopes had but seemed to have failed in outward appearance, that the Enemy should have prevai∣led, I say, it would have been a mighty temptation for us to have been ashamed of our hopes, Oh! blessed be God for preventing this, that the Lord hath not made his Peo∣ple to be ashamed of their hopes,* 1.9 and prayers. The Mini∣sters of God can stand up and look comfortably in the Con∣gregations, because they put on people, and encouraged the hearts of people in this Cause;* 1.10 and they have comfort to their souls in this, That when things were at the lowest yet still they could have their hopes in God, and beleeve yet in God that he would go on in such a Cause as this is, and the Lord hath not caused the expectation of his poor people to fail. But if it be shame (I say) now for the pre∣sent to be disappointed of some hopes, Oh! remember up∣on all your disappointment of hopes, Oh! what shame would it be before men and Angels if it should prove that a∣ny soul in this place should be so disappointed of their last

hopes? Thou hast hope of salvation, and of eternal life, and if it should prove when all secrets are to be made pub∣lick before the Lord Jesus and his Angels, if then it should prove that all thy hopes were dash'd, what would become of thee? It is the prayer of David, O Lord, let me not be dis∣appointed of my hope. Let that be thy prayer, especially in regard of thy last hopes.* 1.11 In 1 Joh. 2. 28. Abide in him, that when he shall appear we may have confidence, and not be a∣shamed before him at his coming. Oh! that's the comfort of the Saints, that they shall not be ashamed at the coming of Jesus Christ: and many that are not ashamed now yet at the coming of Jesus Christ, Oh! the shame that shall be cast upon them? But the main emphasis lies in the words that follow.

Israel shall be ashamed of his own Counsels.

Now what was that Counsel?* 1.12 What? why it was this counsel: 1. The Counsel that was between Jeroboam & his [ 1] Princes and the Priests, together with some eminent of the people, for the setting up of the way of false worship.

And secondly, For the forcing of al men that belonged [ 2] to the ten Tribes to forbear going to Jerusalem. This was thought a notable Plot, a notable Counsel, they thought this was the only Counsel to keep things in peace among them. Why (say they) if we shall suffer men, that every one that hath a fancy in his head, that they shall go to Je∣rusalem to worship, we shall have nothing but confusion, and therefore let us take such a course that people shall have a place to worship in, that they worship thus; it is but only some people that are so strict that they must needs worship in Jerusalem,* 1.13 and therefore let us determine this, That we will have a constant way that every one shall be bound unto, and we will have no more going to this Jeru∣salem to worship, but they shall be content to worship at Dan and Bethel, and this will keep things in peace. Now

this counsel seem'd to be a fine plot to keep things in order. But saith the Lord, They shall be ashamed of it; though they think they have wise men, that do thus advise, sage men, and some men it may be that seem to have some good in them too, and stand for peace: thus it was a Counsel cried up mightily, yet the Lord he sits in Heaven and laughs at this Counsel, and saith he, They shall be ashamed of their Counsels; perhaps now whilst they are let go on and carry all before them, they bless themselves in their Coun∣sel, and think it is a very excellent plot, and God favors it; but when my time shall come, when they shall see what e∣vil it brings upon them, then they shall be ashamed of their Counsels. From thence there's these two Notes;

First,* 1.14 That mens own Counsels bring them to shame, especially in matters of Religion.

Secondly,* 1.15 That men are strong in their own Counsels, till they see some eminent evil to come of them, and then they will be convin∣ced and ashamed, but not before.

To speak a little of each of these.

Mens own Counsels bring shame to them,* 1.16 especially in Religion. For men naturally are very blind in the things of God, they do not see far in them; mens hearts are ful of corrup∣tion, they are byassed by their corruptions; seeing there's much self-love in men.

If there be any appearance that is mens own,* 1.17 that's much regarded, a great deal more than truth that is another mans; if it be their own they mind that, but let another man speak that which hath truth, that's little regarded. There is in mens hearts much violence to maintain their own Counsels, and therefore very like that their Counsels will bring them to shame. There's nothing that men can bear to be contradicted in, less than in their Coun∣sels. And the more men are set upon their own Counsels the more it is like to bring shame in the conclusi∣on.

And besides,* 1.18 There's a Judgment of God upon mens

spirits, that if they will set upon their own Counsels, I say, there's ordinarily a Judgment of God upon men to leave them to folly when they rest upon their own Counsels: and it's threatned in Psal. 81. 12. as a great Jugment of God upon men,* 1.19 to give them up to their Counsels. Saith God, They would not hearken to my Counsel, therefore did I give them up to their own Counsel: Oh! it's a terrible place: I beseech you consider of it; These are times wherein every one is plotting, Oh! tremble at that text; I gave them up unto their OWN COƲNSELS: Mens own Counsels bring them to shame, often times they come to nothing; after they have made a great deal of do, and they will do this, and they will go on; at length it comes to nothing, so that they are fain to sit down and there's an end of all their la∣bor and stir, perhaps they have labored to put on their Counsels by much evil, much sin, much heart burning, and when it comes to all, there it lies, there's an end of it; thus they are ashamed of their counsels.* 1.20 Yea, many times the Counsels of men work quite contrary; God doth much glory in this, in making use of mens own Counsels to bring them into snares. What hath brought our Adversaries into snares but their own Counsels? What brought the Prelates down but their own Counsels? So that they would bite their very fingers for what they did in their Protestation. God hath been pleased to deal thus graci∣ously for us, to bring our enemies into snares by their own Counsels:* 1.21 In Job, 18. 7. 'tis verified of many that their own Counsels have cast them down.* 1.22 And Psal. 9. toward the latter end, The wicked is snared in the work of his OWN HANDS: Higgajon Selah. You have not those two words put together in all the Book of God besides. That is, Oh! 'tis a thing to be meditated on very much, the wicked is snar'd in the work of his own hands. Oh! think of this, consider of this, Oh! the work of God in brin∣ging men down by their own Counsells (saith the text.)

And just it may be so;* 1.23 for men provoke God by their Counsels,* 1.24 in Psalm. 106. 43. Oh! the Lord looks upon the Counsels of men, and is much provoked by them, and therefore just it is with him to make their Counsels to be a snare so to them, as that they should be ashamed of them at the last. It concerns us therefore (my Brethren) to look to our Counsels what they are. I'le give you a few Rules a∣bout your Counsels that you may not be ashamed of them.* 1.25

First, Keep out from your Counsels those things that would hinder you.* 1.26

1. Be sure to keep out of your Counsels your false Prin∣ciples, be not acted in your Counsels by false Principles.

2. Keep out of your Counsels wicked men,* 1.27 take heed that they do not joyn with you in your Counsels,* 1.28 in Job. 21. 16. Their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.* 1.29 and so in Job, 22. 18. Oh! keep out wicked men from your Counsels.

3. Keep out your Own Ends,* 1.30 take heed how they come in: If any of a mans Ends come into his Counsels, they wil warp then.

4. Keep out of your Counsels Conceiptedness,* 1.31 and Pride; when you come to Counsel, Oh take heed of a conceited spirit, in leaning to your own understanding; God doth use to blast such.

5. Keep out of your Counsels flesh and blood.* 1.32 I consul∣ted not with flesh and blood, saith Paul in the first Chap. to the Galatians: I did not look unto carnal excellency, but laid aside all carnal kind of excellency; they would have advised me to this and this, and I should never have done as I did if I had consulted with flesh and blood.

6. Yea,* 1.33 keep out of your Counsels Passion and frowardness. In Job, 5. 13. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.* 1.34 If once you find in your Counsels your hearts begin to be hot,* 1.35 rather break off; take heed of such resolutions in your Counsels as are in a heat: It's a safe way for you if you would consult about

business of Moment, assoon as there begins to be a heat, ra∣ther fall to prayer; we had need of cool and quiet spirits when we are consulting: As if you would weigh a thing exactly with Gold Scals (as in Councels we should weigh things very exactly) you would not weigh in the midst of a wind:* 1.36 when mens passions begin to be up they weigh things as a man should weigh Gold abroad in the wind: but you cannot weigh exactly. Oh! take heed of passion in your Councels.

Divers other things there are that spoyl our Councels that we should be aware of.* 1.37 And if we would have our Councels right, then observe these further Rules in your Councels:

1. Be sure to look up first to Jesus Christ that great Coun∣sellor.* 1.38 He is called in Isa. 9. THE COƲNSELLOR: it's he that is wonderful in Counsel:* 1.39 God hath given a stile to his Son to be The Counsellor, he is to be the Counsellor of thy Soul for thy Eternal Estate, yea, and to be thy Coun∣sellor for all matters of Religion, and the Worship of God, look up to him.

And pray much.* 1.40 If you would not have your Counsels miscarry, pray much. In Prov. 8. 14. Counsel is mine (saith Wisdom.)* 1.41 It's spoken of Christ. It's very observable that some note of the Counsel of Achitophel, and the Counsel of Hushai: The Counsel of Achitophel, the truth is, if we exa∣mine it, it was the wiser Counsel of both, and Absalom lo∣ved Achitophel exceedingly, and his Counsel was ordinarily accounted as the Oracle of God, yet at such a time (because God had an intent to bring down his Counsel) that was rejected, and the Counsel of Hushai was imbrac'd, and he did hear the prayer of David when he prayed▪ Lord turn the Counsel of Achitophel into folly. And let us pray much that God would be with our COUNSELLORS, that there may be none there that may be like those that are spoken of in Ezek. 11. 2.* 1.42 These are they that give evil Counsel in the City, and that likewise the Lord would sway Counsels, and that

men may yeeld to that that is the safest and the best Coun∣sel, to that that is best in the eyes of God. Many times when a Company meet together, there are som things that are darted in that are neglected by the Company, whereas if God were with them, to guide them, that thing (it may be) would sway all their Counsels: and pray much, Guide me with thy Counsel,* 1.43 and so bring me to glory, Psalm. 73. 24. Oh! especially in matters that concern our Souls and Re∣ligion, we should pray much that God would guide us by his Counsel, and so bring us to Glory.

3. If you would have your Counsels right,* 1.44 Let the fear of God be strong in your hearts when you come to counsel. Oh! it's a good thing when any are going to Counsel about matters of consequence, that they would prepare their hearts before they go with the possession of the fear of the great God up∣on their hearts, and then they will counsel well: you have a notable Scripture for this in Ezra, 10. 3. Come, let us go to do according to the Counsel of my Lord,* 1.45 and of those that tremble at the Commandement of our God. It may be there are some that have deeper reaches than they have; I, but have they the fear of God in them? there is hope that they are gui∣ded by the Lord, and therefore let us do according to the Counsel of those that tremble at Gods Word; Do you see a man whose heart is possess'd with the fear of God and his Word? if his parts be but ordinary you may expect that God will be with him rather than with those that are bold and presumptuous, and slight the Word of God.

4. In your Counsels (especially in matters of Religion) be sure to look at the Word;* 1.46 and think not thus, In way of reason and prudence such a way were better, and would conduce for peace: As I remember Luther hath such an ex∣pression, Reason is a most deadly enemy even to Faith, it is dangerous to reason matter of Faith. And so in the mat∣ters of the Worship of God, there's a great deal of danger. Keep to the Word therefore in all your Counsels, and la∣bor for sincerity of heart in all your Counsels: this is that

that makes men miscarry in their Counsels, their hearts are byassed with some lust or other, and therefore when any thing is spoken to them that is sutable to what they have a mind to, that they imbrace; and if any thing be spoken to them that is otherwise, that they reject: Oh! it's just with God to answer thee according to the Idol that is set up in thy own heart.

5. In all thy Counsels,* 1.47 Take heed of being put off with some fair shews. When the Lord is leaving any, yet he will suf∣fer those that give evil Counsel to mix a great many good things with that which is evil: As some that will put a few brass shillings into a great bag of money, the o∣ther is all good currant money, yea but here's some brass shillings put amongst it. So sometimes in the midst of a great deal of good Counsel, there is a little mixture that may turn all: therefore those that would counsel, especial∣ly the publick affairs, they had need have their eyes about them, and poise every word and line, and examine every particular, or otherwise they may quickly come to be a∣sham'd of their own Counsel.

There are many Rules might further be given.

6. God hath promised to direct the humble,* 1.48 there∣fore come with humility in your counsels, and be sure in what is right to follow: and then you may with the more confidence expect God should help you in other things.

7. Consult with indifferent judgment. [ 7]

8. If the thing touch others, think what we would [ 8] have if we were in their case.

9. Whether it may not cost too dear, though good. [ 9] Consider whether the attaining of it, though good, may not occasion so much evil, as it is not worth it: if it be not of present necessity (non deliberand. de necessariis) the rubs atten∣ding it may shew it is not good at this time, or not thus, or not for me.

They shall be ashamed of their own Counsels.

When they are come to times of affliction they shall be a∣shamed of their own Counsels.* 1.49 Times of affliction makes men asham'd of what they would not be asham'd of before, Jer. 2. 26. Zeph. 3. 11. I remember a notable expression that Sr. Walter Rawleigh hath in his Story;* 1.50 When death comes (saith he) which hates men and destroies men, when that comes, that's beleeved; But God that loves men, and makes men, he is not regarded. Oh Eloquent! Oh! Mighty Death! whom none could advise, thou art able to perswade. That's thus, men that would never be perswaded by any thing else to beleeve that they were not right, yet when death appears that can perswade them: now afflictions are an evil, but how elo∣quent are afflictions? what power have afflictions to per∣swade men that they were wrong, that would not be per∣swaded by all the arguments in the world before? Then they shall be ashamed of their own Counsels. Oh! I beseech you let us take heed of this, let not us go on headily in our own Counsels till God bring us into misery, and then we should be forced to cry out of our own Counsels and be a∣shamed of them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Jareb.
• * 1.2

  Obs.
• * 1.3

  Obs.
• * 1.4

  Applied to England.
• * 1.5

  Hierom.
• * 1.6

  See Schic∣kards Pro∣dromus, or his Bechi∣nath Ha∣peruchim.
• * 1.7

  Expos.
• * 1.8

  Iob. 6. 20.
• * 1.9

  Ministers may be glad▪
• * 1.10

  And (if al∣waies faith¦ful to the Publick Cause) they may take com∣fort.
• * 1.11

  1 Ioh. 2. 28.
• * 1.12

  Expos.
• * 1.13

  A Geogra∣phical de∣scription of Politick Councels in Religion
• * 1.14

  Obs. 1.
• * 1.15

  Obs. 2.
• * 1.16

  1 Doct.
• * 1.17

  Reas. 1.
• * 1.18

  Reas. 2.
• * 1.19

  Ps. 81. 12
• * 1.20

  Mens own Counsels ensnare thē Instanced in the late Enemy, And the Prelats.
• * 1.21

  Iob, 18. 7.
• * 1.22

  Psa. 9. 16.
• * 1.23

  Reas. 3
• * 1.24

  Psal. 106. 43.
• * 1.25

  1, What to avoid.
• * 1.26

  1. False principles.
• * 1.27

  2. Wicked men.
• * 1.28

  Iob, 21. 16.
• * 1.29

  Cap. 22. 18
• * 1.30

  3. Selfends
• * 1.31

  4. Con∣ceiptedness
• * 1.32

  5. Flesh & blood.
• * 1.33

  6. Passion and Fro∣wardness.
• * 1.34

  Iob, 5. 13.
• * 1.35

  Resolve on nothing in heat.
• * 1.36

  simile.
• * 1.37

  2, What we should attend in our Coun∣sels.
• * 1.38

  1. Look to Christ.
• * 1.39

  Isa 9. 6.
• * 1.40

  2. Pray much.
• * 1.41

  Prov. 8. 14
• * 1.42

  Ezek. 11. 2▪
• * 1.43

  Ps. 73. 24
• * 1.44

  3. Let the fear of God be strong.
• * 1.45

  Ezr. 10. 3.
• * 1.46

  4. Look at the Word, especially in matters of Religion.
• * 1.47

  5. Be not put off with shews of Reason.
• * 1.48

  6. Be humble.
• * 1.49

  2. Doct.
• * 1.50

  Sr Walter Rawlegh