Hosea 11

Hosea 11:1

WHen Israel] In its first beginnings, namely; When it first began to be a Nation in Egypt: Jerem. 2. 2. Ezekiel 16:22.

Hosea 11:2

Called them] namely, My Prophets exhorted them to repentance; and to my true service, which was the chiefe end, for which they were called out of Egypt, Exodus 4:23.

Hosea 11:3

I taught] I have been as a nurse to him: Deuteronomy 32:10-11 Healed them] that is to say; Delivered them from all evill: Exod. 15. 26. and 23. 25.

Hosea 11:4

I drew them] A phrase taken from cattell bred up to carry or draw; which by a good Master, are used gently, and brought to their labour without any violence The yoake] By which must be understood, the musroll; for otherwise a yoake doth not use to be laid upon the jawes.

Hosea 11:5

Returne] The body of this nation shall not goe for fafety into Egypt, which a friends conntrey; but they shall goe into captivity to Assyria, an enemies countrey; and herein will I enforce them to obey my command: Deuteronomy 17:16.

Hosea 11:6

His branches] All his forces and defences; as wel those which consist in strong towns, as those which consist in the valor of men Counsels] Their actions and enterprizes which they have undertaken by their own advice: Psal. 106. 43. Hosea 10:6.

Hosea 11:7

Are bent] They desire and expect that I should turne in favour to them, and relieve them: whereas they should turne to me by repentance; which they will not doe.

Hosea 11:8

Give thee up] Though thou deservest to be irrevocably destroyed; as those wicked cities were: Genesis 19:24. Deuteronomy 29:23. yet my mercy will not suffer it; and therefore I promise thee re-establishment, by meanes of the Messias Are kindled together] the Italian, Are moved] or, Are heated: see Genesis 43:30. Lamentations 1:20.

Hosea 11:9

I will not] With extremity of rigor, and without remission I will not returne] to save the remnant of mine elect amongst the people; I will not consume them wholly by a redoubling of evils, I am God] And therefore most true, and invariable in all my promises: Numb. 23. 19 The holy one] I will be in the midst of thee, in grace and spirit; as thy true God-head, object of all thy Devotion, Religion and worship; and the wel-spring and author of all thy holinesse; and I will not be there any more as thine enemy.

Hosea 11:10

After the Lord] Who shall manifest himselfe to them in grace and salvation in Christ Roare] He shall cause the powerfull voyce of his Gospel to sound all the world over; by which the consciences being moved, shall come to him: Haggai 2:6-7. Hebrews 12:26 The children.] The true elect; children of grace shall joyne themselves in spirit to the communion of the Church, from all the ends of the world, where they have beene scattered.

Hosea 11:12

Compasseth me] In all their actions they are disloyall unto me Judah] In the tribe of Judah, which hath not forsaken Gods pure service; there doth yet remaine the lawfull government of Davids posterity: Is faithfull] He persevereth in my covenant, holding himselfe to the faith and Religion of his holy ancient forefathers: or, to that which is taught them; by Gods holy servants, the Prophets and Priests.