THe Inscription of the Prophecy holds forth , 1. The Pen-man of this Doctrine , described from his own and his Fathers Name , concerning whom , since we read no more , it were needlesse curiosity to dip further in it , seeing that is not the great businesse to be here looked to . 2. The Divine authority of this Doctrine , and his calling to publish it . 3. The time of his Ministery , which is reckoned by the reignes of the Kings of Judah in that time , though he preached unto Israel ; because ( as would appear , ) the fearful miscarriages of most of these Kings , and the confusions occasioned thereby , rendered them unworthy of being taken notice of by God . Only Jeroboam the second , one of Jehu's race , is mentioned , partly to shew that he did not begin to Prophesy toward the end of Uzziah's reigne , but even in Jeroboams time , who began his reigne before Uzziah , ( or Azariah , ) 2 Kings 14.23 . and 15.1 . and ended it a good while before him , 2 Kings 15.8 . and so it intimates that he Prophesied long , and continuing in the dayes of Hezekiah , it is likely that he saw the captivity of Israel , which was in the sixth year of Hezekiah , 2 Kings . 18.10 . partly , this is marked , to shew that Hosea began thus to Prophesy , not when the declining condition of affaires under the succeeding Kings , might represent to any these sad things which he foretold , but when Israel was in a most flourishing condition , as it was under this King , 2 Kings 14.23 , 25. From this Inscription , Learn , 1. Whoever be the instrument that carrieth the Lords message , it is still our duty to study the Divine Authority of his Word and Messages sent by them , that so we may know whereon to lane ; that we may be attentive , considering we have to do with God , and not with men and vain terrours from them ; and that it may take the envy of any hard Message from off instruments , as flowing no way from their humors , or desire to disturbe the common tranquillity : For these causes is the Divine Authority of this Prophecy in particular asserted it is , The word of the Lord to Hosea , the son of Beeri . See 2 Pet. 1.20 , 21. 2. As it is the duty of the Lords faithful servants , to preach only Gods Word to his people ; so for performing of this , it is required , not only that they have abilities and endowments , but authority and a calling also , which may assure them of assistance and successe in some measure , and of support under any difficulties they meet with ; Therefore it is called , The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea ; The Lords Word came unto him to call him to the Office , and being called , he received the ensuing Messages by Inspiration , and extraordinary Revelation , and these only be recordeth and publisheth . 3. Such is the goodnesse and long-suffering of God , as not to give up with his sinful people at first , but he will pursue them with messages from himself , even for a long time , and till their case prove irrecoverable ; For , so much doth he manifest by continuing Hosea in his Ministery for so long a time , notwithstanding their Apostasy , The word of the Lord came unto Hosea , in the dayes of Uzziah , Jotham , Ahaz , and Hozekiah , &c. See 2 Chron. 36.14 , 15 , 16. 4. It may be the lot of the Lords faithful servants , that when they have spent their time and strength , for a long time among a people , yet they become worse , and go to ruine ; For , notwithstanding Hoseas paines for so long a time , yet Israel was not converted , but sent into captivity , as his own Doctrine , and the History of these times bear witnesse . See Isa. 49.4 . 5. It is the commendation of th● Lords faithful servants , that as length of time doth not make them weary of their hard toile , and apparently fruitlesse labours ; so in varierie of times and changes , they remaine the same : For , notwithstanding the many revolutions in the time of Hoseas Ministery , yet he bears out in his calling , and is uniforme in his Doctrine . 6. As the Lord may have sad strokes coming on a people , when they are in the height of prosperity , and have overcome all their outward enemies ; So , however wicked people do abuse their prosperity , and turne it into a snare for themselves , yet spiritual observers will not be blinded therewith , but will see sad wrath under all of it , ready to break forth : For , this message containing sad threatenings , came in the dayes of Jeroboam , the son of Joash , King of Israel ; when Israel was flourishing , and then the Prophet saw it . 7. It is in special commendation of faithfull Ministers , when the prosperity of an impenitent people doth not tempt them to Prophesy smooth things , but they denounce wrath most stoutly against a people liable to it , when the Lords dispensations seem to promise the contrary : Therefore in the dayes of Jeroboam , when all seemed to go well , and when therefore faithful Prophets could hardly be suffered , Amos 7.10 , 12. even then doth he so freely plead the Lords controversie ▪

The first Message wherewith Hosea is intrusted , ( and the divine authority of which is in particular asserted , ) is an accusation of Israel for their spiritual whoredome , or idolatry , and violation of the Marriage-Covenant betwixt God and them , represented by the Prophets taking a wife of whoredomes ; which however some understand literally , and that Hosea did this , pretending to justifie it by Gods extraordinary command , who might warrant Israel to spoile the Egyptians , and Abraham to offer up his own Son ; yet ( beside what difference may be conceived in the actions themselves , between mens taking of reward and wages for their long and hard service , and offering up to God what was his own , and this fact of a Prophet making himself the member of an harlot , ) this would seem probable . 1. That the Prophet took not so long a time in preaching this one Sermon , as was requisite for marrying a woman , and having three children by her , she her self giving them suck and weaning them , far lesse that he should take yet another , ( as he is commanded Chap. 3.1 . ) either with her , or after her in so short time , and should multiplie such strange facts . 2. That in a time wherein the Prophets person and calling was already much in contempt , the Lord would not enjoyne him that as a duty , which might justly adde to it , as being not only specially prohibited unto the Ministers of holy things , Lev. 21.1 , 7. but at the same time wherein Hosea lived , was threatened as a curse upon a false Priest , Amos 7.17 . Therefore I rather understand it typically , that the Prophet is commanded under this type , to point out the great Idolatry of the land , and their defection thereby from God ; and to declare that the Nation was such to God , as if after he had taken a wife ; she had plaid the harlot ; and particular persons were such , as if his wives children were children of whoredomes , that is , suspected to be Bastards , being borne of such a mother , though going under his name ; or given to whoredome in imitation of their mother . And accordingly the Prophets taking Gomer the daughter of Diblaim , is his preaching their case under such a type , and the names here used , may either be taken properly for the name of a famous strumpet in that time , daughter to such a one , who might fitly resemble Israels filthinesse ; or , they may be taken appellatively , the first word Gomer , signifying either perfection , or consumption , and the second Diblaim , being either the name of a great wildernesse , called Diblath , Ezek. 6.14 . or signifying a cluster , or cakes of figs , ( as a word like this is translated , 1 Chron. 12.40 . 1 Sam 30.12 . ) which were used in Feasts : Both these may very fitly point out the condition of Israel , whom God is now challenging , as being brought from an howling wildernesse and desolate condition , and made perfect through his comliness , Ezek. 16.3 , — 14. but now because of her sensuality , drawing her unto , and attending her Idolatry , was to be consumed . Doctrine , 1. Such as would profit by the Word , will finde it not enough to acknowledge in general the authority thereof , unlesse they have serious thoughts of it in receiving every particular message , and particularly hard tydings ; Therefore beside the general inscription , v. 1. we have the divine authority of this particular message twice asserted , it is . The word of the Lord by Hosea , or , in Hosea , to wit , by divine inspiration ; And , The Lord said it to Hosea . 2. Whatever be the Lords tendernesse and meeknesse , and his allowance that his servants deal so with such as sin through ignorance and infirmity , and are not hardened in their sin ; yet when a people are obstinate and desperate in sinning , it is the Lords will they be handled sharply , and peremptorily dealt with ; For , this sad challenge , is the first Message put in Hoseas mouth to this people ; It is the beginning of the word of the Lord , or the first message he got in commission . 3. Albeit it should be the care of Ministers to gain the affections of people , that way may be made for their message ; yet they would guard , lest in so doing , they blunt the edge of zeal , and quit their fai●hfulness and a good conscience ; but they would first and last declare their opposition to sin : Therefore also is Hosea commanded to begin thus , without any previous insinuation to the prejudice of this duty . 4. Whatever grosse iniquities may be in the visible Church , and whatever Gods controversie may be because of them ; yet the great sin and cause of Gods controversie is , when she corrupts Religion , and especially when she makes Apostasy unto Idolatry : Therefore doth the Lord begin with this , as the great challenge against Israel . 5. Idolatry , especially in the Church , is spiritual whoredome , because it strikes at the marriage-tie and relation betwixt God and his people , and takes in another lover ; and therefore is more hainous in the Church , then among Pagans ; and because it is an irreconcileable fault , as awaking jealousie , which the Scripture calleth the rage of a man : Therefore is it called whoredome , and their sinfulness is represented by a wife of whoredomes ; See Exod. 20.4 , 5. 6 As Idolatry is exceedingly aggreaged , by the consideration of the partie whom Idolaters do desert , who is the Lord Jehovah ; and by their obligations unto him , by reason of many favours , being the land or the people , who were setled in that promised land by his especial hand , and who enjoyed special dignities and priviledges in it , and by the gene above : flowing of this sin , when it is not some few only , but the land , all of them , and the body of the Nation who fall in it : So whatever Idolaters may pretend of cleaving to God , together with their Idols , ( as Jeroboam did , 1 Kings 12.28 . ) yet the Lord will look upon them as rejecters of him and his yoke , and such as he wil have no communion with ; Therefore , saith he , The land hath committed whoredome , departing from the Lord , or , whoredome from after the Lord , as in effect renouncing all subjection to him , and casting him off , whatever they pretend ; See 2 Cor. 6.15 , 16. 7. It is the plague of God on a visible Church , that when she renounceth God and his Worship , she is given up to be exceedingly grosse in Idolatry , and corrupting the Worship of God , as not only the fruit of her inclination , but that Gods judicial upgiving of her may also be seen in it ; Therefore is Israel resembled to a wife of whoredomes , or a wife eminently and superlatively whorish , as the Original forme of speech imports ; See 2 Chron. 33.9 . Ezek. 16.46 , 47 , 48 , 51 , 52. 2 Thess. 2.10 , 11. 8. Idolatry is also an intangling sin , which when the Church once falleth into , she is still the more enamoured and taken with it , and goeth the more incessantly on , adding one degree of defection to another ; to which she is given up of God , as a punishment for her presuming to debord in the least ; so much also are we taught in the challenge , The land hath committed great whoredome , or , in whoring hath gone a whoring , one step hath drawn on another , as the Original imports . 9. A Church making defection from God unto Idolatry , doth bring great prejudice upon her children or particular members , either by drawing them into defection with her , or by making them share in the sad effects thereof : Therefore albeit an Idolatrous Church may bring forth children unto God , so long as he hath not given her a bill of divorce , Ezek. 16.20 , 21. yet the state of the particular members of the Church of Israel , is here represented under the type of children of whoredomes ; partly , because Idolatry was not only authorized and enjoyned by the representatives of Church and State , but generally embraced by the people ; and partly , because when such an iniquity overfloweth , it fareth the worse with particular members for their sake , and they do share in the common plagues as children of whoredomes : Idolatry is a speciall sin , the sad effects whereof may follow posterity long , Exod. 20.5 . 10. As a people do grow in sin , or draw neerer judgement , they become the more stupid , and insensible of their sin and danger ; for this cause it is that Israel needs these types to inculcate this Doctrine . 11. Such as God employeth in carrying his minde to the Church , must deny themselves and their interests , and be content to be exercised and disposed of , as the Lord seeth may most contribute to make their Doctrine useful and effectual ; Therefore must Hosea apply unto himself this ignominious type , of taking a wife of whoredomes , even Gomer the daughter of Diblaim , if so be it might convince them . So Ezekiel must be content to lose his beloved wife by a sudden stroak , and to forbear mourning under it , if so be it might move the people to hear one Sermon , Ezek. 24.16 , 17 , &c.

Followeth from the end of ver. 3. to v. 10. a prediction of the calamities that were to come upon them by degrees , till they should cease to be a Kingdome , a Nation , or a Church . This is typically held forth under the representation of three children , brought forth to the Prophet by this wife of whoredomes ; whereby is signified a threefold period of the ripening of their sin , and a threefold degree of their ruine and destruction : And in this the type doth suite well , for as children are the fruit of Marriage , or of unlawful conjunction under cloak of an Husband , so their Idolatry and other sins being ripe , did at last bring forth that sad fruit .

The first son called Jezreel , did intimate sins coming to an height under Jehu's posterity ; for which the Lord threatens shortly to call them to an accompt , and to take vengeance on Jehu's race for his bloodshed committed on the house of Abab , 2 Kings 9 , and 10th . Chap. as accordingly was accomplished on Zechariah , the son of this Jeroboam , who reigned but six moneths before he was slain by a conspiracy , 2 Kings 15.8 , 9 , 10 , 12. This stroak is amplified from some effects thereof , that by it not only Jehu's race should be cut off , but the Kingdome should cease , or get such a blow in their fall , and after it , as it should never recover its former vigour till it were destroyed : And that their warlike power should be broken , even in the very heart of their Countrey , and in the valley lying before Jezreel , which was one of the habitations of Ahab , 1 Kings 21.1 . of which see Josh. 17.16 . Judg. 6.33 . To all this prediction doth the childes name , Jezreel agree , as being to be punished for the blood which was shed in Jezreel , as being a den of bloody robbers , as Ahab made Jezreel by killing Naboth ; and being in stead of Israel , to become Jezreel , or scattered of the Lord , and broken by divisions , as they were after that time till they were utterly scattered . Doct. 1. Whatever present fruits men may seem to reap by sin , yet at last , being continued in , it will ripen to an height , and fit for stroakes ; for this wife of whoredomes doth conceive and bea● a son , her whoredomes come to an height , and did draw down the sad fruits thereof . 2. Notwithstanding that sinners in the Church do conceit of their priviledges ; yet God will not only plague them , but make their sin and judgement as conspicuous , as if it were their very name ; For , The Lord said unto him , Call his name Jezreel , whereby is signified , that however they gloried in the name of Israel , yet the Lord should make them become a Jezreel by manifesting of their sin , and by plagues for it . 3. Albeit Idolatry be the great sin of the Church , and doth deserve saddest judgements ; yet the Lord useth to give up such Apostates unto other grosse wickednesses , to let them and the world see the fruit of their departing from God , and by all these sinnes together to hasten the judgement : For , albeit the chief sin and cause of Gods controversie , be Idolatry , v. 2. yet for these causes , are they given up to murther and bloodshed with it . 4. The Lord is so respective of man made after his Image , and of justice and equity among men , as the blood , even of these who are wicked , and deserve destruction at Gods hand , will not be unrevenged on these who shed it unwarrantably , either for their way , or end in it ; I will , saith he , avenge the blood , ( or , bloods ) of Jezreel , or the blood of Ahabs house , the Lords requiring whereof , gives ample ground of hope to expect the like of others , who suffer more innocently ; See Gen. 9.6 . Ps. 9.12 . He nameth it bloods , because there were many slaughters , even of all Ahabs family , 2 King . 10.11 . together with Ahaziah , 2 King . 9.27 . and his brethren , 2 Kings 10.13 , 14. And , the bloods of Jezreel , because however some of these were slain in Samaria , and elsewhere , yet not only did the execution begin , or was most there , and was done elsewhere by Jehu's authority in Jezreel , but because what was done there on Jehoram , and Jezebel , seemed to be most justifiable , because of foregoing Prophecies , 2 Kings 9.25 , 26 , 36 , 37. and yet the Lord will avenge it . 5. Men may not only be doing that which God in his Holy Providence will permit to succeed , but even that which is in it self just , and materially Gods command , and yet be guilty before God , and justly punished for it , when either they do not the Lords work sincerely , but for their own base ends and interest , or when they do it not throughly , but only in so farre as may serve their own turne : For , albeit Jehu was anointed at Gods command , to execute his judgement on Ahabs house , 2 Kings 9.6 , 7. yea , and temporally rewarded for it , 2 Kings 10.30 . yet it is here accounted murther , to be avenged on his house , because he did it not out of zeal for God , but to get a Kingdome to himself , and because ( which is an evidence of the former ) he did only so much as might serve his ends , and establish him in the Kingdome : For , though he executed Gods quarrel on Ahab and his house , and on Baals Priests and followers , yet he clave to the Idolatry of the calves for securing his own interest , 2 Kings 10.31 . and so proved himself more careful of his own affaires and setling , then of Religion . 6. Men may prosper a while in a course , against which the Lord hath a standing quarrel , and will avenge it on their posterity : For , saith the Lord , I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu , though himself and his next successours were exempted for a time , which as it may be dreadful to men who prosper in an ill way , who may be made to rot above ground in plagues on their posterity ; So it may warne men not to follow the sins of their predecessors , meerely because they prospered in their hand . 7. However sinners may blesse themselves ; when judgements seem to be afar off ; yet they will at last draw near , and any thing that is measured by time , will soon come about ; For , notwithstanding the promise given to Jehu and his posterity for some generations , yet now it is , Yet a little while , and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel , &c. 8. As Kingdomes have their periods prefixed by God ; so there may be so much anger against a Nation evidenced in the smiting even of their wicked Magistrates , and so great commotions in overturning of them , and confusions following thereupon , as may not only be a presage of the overthrow of a Kingdome , but will give it such an irreparable stroak , and so break the power thereof , as it shall never recover , especially continuing in the same sins : Therefore is it subjoyned to this stroak on Jehu's house , And I will cause to cease the Kingdome of the house of Israel , for though it endured a while after , yet this was a presage of it , and they never recovered of that stroake , but were broken by confusions and distractions , till the forreigne enemie came upon them , as is hinted at in the next verse , and expressed more at length in their miserable condition , 2 Kings 15. 9 As there is no power nor strength of a Kingdom able to resist God coming in anger : So the Lords breaking of a Kingdomes power , and exhausting it totally , is a sad evidence of his displeasure , and presage of further ruine ; Therefore is it added as a part of the stroak , and the way how the Kingdome came to cease , At that day I will break the bowe of Israel , under the bowe ( much used among them , and whereof Jehu made special use , 2 Kings 9.24 . ) comprehending all warlike power : And that he will do this in the valley of Jezreel , that is , not so much by any battel there , ( of which we read not elsewhere ) as that they should not be broken by any discomfiture on their borders , which the Kingdome might repaire again ; but this decay should reach the very heart of their Countrey , where their strength and royall Cities were , and where they thought themselves secure , and therefore were insolent in oppression and bloodshed , and this exposed them to the calamities which followed .