Thine in the best bonds,
J. H.
* Isa. Ixi. 1. t Isa. xxx. 33. f Amos ix. 5, 13. § 2 Peter iii. 12.
II Heb. xii. 18. ^ Judges v. 25.
** This J. H. was probably the John Hill who writes an 'Epistle Dedicatory' to Elton's work on the 'Ten Commandments,' entitled, 'God's Holy Mind Tovching Matters Morall,' &c. (4to, 1625). He therein addresses the parishioners of ' St Marie Magdalen's in Barmondsey,' {i.e., Bermondsey), who were formerly under the charge of Elton, as his ; but there appears to be little known of him beyond this. He is not the ' John Hill' noticed in the Nonconformist's Memorial, ii. 64. — G.
THE RETUENING BACKSLIDEE.
SERMON I.
0 Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with yoicicords, and turn to the Lord; say unto him, Take auay all ini- quity, dc. —Ros. XIV. 1, 2.
The whole frame of godliness is a mystery, Col. i. 26. The apostle called it ' a great mystery,' comprehending all under these particulars : ' God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glor}%' 1 Tim. iii. 16. Amongst which mysteries, this may well be the ' mystery of mysteries.' * God was manifest in the flesh,' which includeth also another mystery, the graciousness and abundant tender mercy of God towards miserable, wretched, and sinful creatures ; even in the height of their rebeUion, appointing such a remedy to heal them. Which is the subject of this chapter, and last part of this prophecy : which, as it thunders out terrible judgments against hard-hearted impenitent sinners (such as were the most part of Israel), so is it mingled full of many and sweet consolations to thg faithful, in those times, scattered amongst the wicked troop of idolaters then living.
The time when Hosea prophesied was under the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah ; and in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash, king of Israel, in whose days idolatry was first universally set up, and countenanced by regal power. This Jeroboam, ' who caused Israel to sin,'
1 Kings XV. 34, that he might strengthen himself, made use of religion, and profanely mixed it with his civil afiairs in carnal policy, and so leavened the whole lump of Israel with idolatry, that shortly after, the whole ten tribes, for their sin, and their injustice, cruelty, lust, security, and such other sins as accompanied and sprang from this brutish idolatry, were led away captive by the king of Assyria, and the Lord's righteous judgment made manifest upon them.
There being, not\tithstanding, amongst these some faithful ones, though thinly scattered, who mourned for, and by their good examples, reproved these abominable courses : there being also a seed of the elect unconverted ; and of the converted, some that were carried down too far in the strength of this stream of wickedness : in this chapter, therefore, being the con-
HOSEA XIV. 1, 2.] THE RETURNING BACKSLIDER, 253
elusion of this prophecy, there are many excellent and heavenly encourage- ments ; also many earnest incitements to repentance and returning to the Lord, with free and gracious promises, not only of pardon and acceptance, but of great rewards in things spiritual and temporal to such as should thus return.
' 0 Israel, return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.'
' Take with you words, and turn to the Lord ; say unto him. Take away all iniquity,' &c.
In this chapter we have,
1. An exhortation to repentance, with the motives enforcing the same: * 0 Israel, retui-n unto the Lord thy God,' ver. 1.
2. The form : ' Take with you words, and say unto the Lord,' &c., ver. 2.
3. A restipulation, what they should do : and return back again, having their prayers granted. 1. Thanksgiving : ' So will we render the calves of our hps.' 2. Sound reformation of their beloved sin : * Ashur shall not save us,' &c. ; with the reason thereof: ' For in thee the fatherless findeth mercy,' ver. 3.
4. God's ansiver to their petitions. 1. In what he ivill do for them : ' Heal their backsliding, love them freely, and be as the dew unto Israel ; ' xvith the reason thereof : ' For mine anger is turned away from him,' ver. 4. 2. What he will work in them, a propoiiionable speedy growth in height, breadth, and depth : ' He shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon,' &c. ; which mercy is further amplified by a blessing poured out also ttpon their families : ' They that dwell under his shadow shall return,' ver. 5-7.
5. There is set down a further effect of this repentance and gracious work in them, a sound and strong ivell-rooted indignation against their foi-mer darling sins ; ' Ephraim shall say, What have I any more to do with idols ? ' backed with a strong consolation : ' I have heard him and observed him,' &c., ver. 8.
6. The diverse event and issue of this God's so gracious dealing, is shewed both in the godly and wicked. 1. The wise and prudent understand and know that the ways of the Lord are right, and shall walk in them; but, 2. ' The transgi-essors shall fall therein,' ver. 9.