Hosea 6

Hosea 6:1-3

Come let us by faith and repentance, return to the Lord, who hath afflicted us, in the firm assurance of his graciously, seasonably 3 and speedily, delivering us, and restoring us to happiness and comfort through the resurrection of Christ. And in the persevering exercise of these graces we shall experience his instruction, the clear and gradual manifestation of his favour, and his refreshing and fructifying comforts

Hosea 6:4-6

But, ye hypocritical Israelites and Jews, what favour can be granted you? for those pretences of reformation under Hoshea, Jehu, and Hezekiah, were but hypocritical; all is quickly blown over: therefore have I sharply rebuked them by the prophets, and by my threatenings devoted them to ruin: and in a little time my judgments, manifestly just, shall unavoidably overtake them. For it is inward and practical holiness and virtue, not ceremonial forms of service, that I chiefly regard

Hosea 6:7-11

But they, notwithstanding favours unnumbered, have, like Adam, broken my covenant, and lived as corruptly as the very Heathens; even in the land which I gave them, to encourage them to obedience; yea in their very acts of devotion they have treacherously played the hypocrite. Ramoth-gilead, though inhabited by Levites, is notorious for idolatry, murder, and every other crime. The Israelitish priests, who dwell there, support one another in robbery, murder, and other enormities. Nay, idolatry, whoredom, and other heaven daring wickedness, so fearfully prevail among the ten tribes of Israel, as cannot be thought of or mentioned without horror.—And even the Jews have, by their impiety, ripened themselves for destruction.—But their harrassment by the Assyrians, and captivity by the Chaldeans, shall nevertheless quickly issue in joyful deliverances

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VI.—All troubles ought to be viewed as coming from God, and should awaken us to faith and repentance. There is no plague in this world which the infinite mercy of God in Christ cannot cure. His providence, which distresses, can relieve; and his spirit, who convinces, can comfort us. Let us therefore always maintain faith in a risen Redeemer, and in the infinite power and kindness of God. Our deliverance and comforts are most likely to surprise us when our case is at the darkest. But God little regards that religion which comes by fits and starts. And often much hardened are the hearts of gospel hearers when almost ripened for immediate destruction. God indeed repeatedly warns before he destroys: But his words will certainly issue either in the death of men’s sins, or in their own. Went of true morality can never be balanced by forms of religion; it but provokes JEROVAN to attempt it. To what treachery, perjury, idolatry, murder, and every thing horrid, professors, and especially careless clergymen, will abandon themselves! And how unanimous are mankind in their rebellion against God! No wonder then that he makes their plagues dreadful! and sovereign is the mercy when he connects deserved judgments with gracious deliverances