Hosea 7

Hosea 7:1

WHen I] when I have sought to correct the sinnes of my people by my word: their secret wickednesse, and inward hardnesse hath manifested it selfe; as it often happeneth in bodily infirmities Commeth in] into the houses to steale.

Hosea 7:2

Have beset them] like unto ropes and snares; that they may no longer escape my judgements, Proverbs 5:22. or the punishments of their misdeeds have bound them They are] they commit their misdeeds boldly and openly. Or, I keep them in minde, and they are alwayes before me.

Hosea 7:3

They make] all their wickednesses are made occasions of mirth and pastime; even by the Judges and Magistrates themselves, A signe of an extreame corruption.

Hosea 7:4

As an Oven] A similitude taken from common Ovens; to represent unto us an unbridled kind of concupiscence: to fulfill the Which, all meanes are used.

Hosea 7:5

In the day] namely, the day of his Birth, or of his Coronation; his Courtiers have perswaded him to drunkennesse: Whereupon, having laid aside all manner of Majesty; he hath done acts, besitting a jester, or jugler.

Hosea 7:6

For they have] the Italian, when they have] when they have plotted some treachery; they hatch it within themselves secretly, untill such time as the passion of desire, or of revenge, being come to the height, breaks out in effects. See Micah 2:1.

Hosea 7:7

They are all] this Rage, discovers it selfe chiefly in their seditions, frequent conspiracies, and murthers of their Kings, 1 King. 15. 27. and 16. 9, 10, 21. and 2 King. 9. 14. and 15. 10, 14, 25, 30 There is none] they are so possessed with an affection to evill; that they cannot thinke upon me, to call upon me in these publicke disorders: nor to be rightly converted to me.

Hosea 7:8

Hath mixed himselfe] by treaties, leagues, and commerces; which have brought them into the participation of idolatry and vices As a cake] as who should say; he is neither raw, nor baked: which may be referred, either to the mixture and indifferency of Religions: or to that; being as it were, all fired by Gods judgements; he was not one whit humbled or amended by it: but was still raw in impenitency and obstinacy.

Hosea 7:9

Gray haires] he is decayed, by meanes of old age.

Hosea 7:10

For all this] for all these foresaid punishments.

Hosea 7:11

They call to] to ayde, and releeve them; and would not come to me. See 2 King. 15. 19. and 17. 4. Hosea 5:13.

Hosea 7:12

I will spread] I will curse their endeavours, and make the issue thereof be to their ruine and confusion As their] as it hath been fore-told and declared by my Prophets, 2 King. 17. 13.

Hosea 7:13

They have spoken] when I have delivered them, they have made false protestations to me of future faithfulnesse and service. Or they have spoken lies against me; attributing their deliverance to men, or to idols; and all their afflictions to me.

Hosea 7:14

They have not cryed] by true and sincere prayers of faith; but have only howled when they have felt their evils. Or through grumbling and impatience. See Job 35:9 They assemble]to make publicke supplications.

Hosea 7:15

Strengthened] I have compared my punishments; and have given them strength to beare them, and not to be overthrowne by them. Or after I have scourged them; I have re-established them Mischiefe] by their rebellion and Apostasie.

Hosea 7:16

Tey returne] they have no stedfastnesse nor uprightnesse towards Me; but are like an ill stringed or ill fashioned bow: or a bow which turneth in the Archers hand, Psal 78. 57 For the rage] through their blasphemies against me; and their proud boasts and insolencie: which were hatefull, even to the Egyptians, who were their friends.