Hosea 10

5. It's not enough to do duties, and to lay up fruits, unless they be laid up for Christ; and this is no less a duty than the former. 6. It's no small attainment in a believer, and a strong motive for attaining of Christ's company (without which all will be nothing) when not onl…

The fruits you are to bring forth are those fruits of the Spirit, mentioned in Galatians 5:22. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, these fruits are our proficiency, as Bernard speaks, and God accounts our proficiency to be as his…

Deluded soul, your seed is no better than what the moral Heathens sowed; and do I expect better fruit than what they reaped? Civility without Christ, is but a freer slavery; and Satan holds me as fast in captivity by this, as he does the prophane by the pleasure of their lusts;…

That the work of the Spirit in convincing and humbling the heart of a sinner, is a work wherein much of the wisdom, as well as power of God is discovered. The work of repentance and saving contrition, is set forth in Scripture by this metaphor of plowing (Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:…

Oh that the breathings and workings of the Spirit of all grace, might stir up all his gifts and graces in me, that the Lord Jesus the beloved of my soul may have meet and acceptable entertainment from me. God complains of want of fruit in his vineyard (Isaiah 5:3; Hosea 10:1). W…

What is the issue of it? His own counsel shall cast him down (Job 18:7) — first he shall be entangled, then cast down, and all by his own counsel, until he comes to be ashamed of it as Ephraim was (Hosea 10:6). Whenever in trials we consult our own understandings, hearken to sel…

It is not our duty only to glorify God in Heaven, to join in concert with the angels in their Hallelujahs above, where we may glorify him without distraction, weariness, and weakness; but here on earth, in the midst of difficulties and temptations. There are none sent into the w…

Nature sticks at this: a proud heart is loath to come under the yoke. We would taste of the sweetness of mercy, but cannot endure the bonds and restraints of duty; as Ephraim would tread out the corn, but was loath to break the clods (Hosea 10:11). The prophet alludes to the man…

Though we do not feel the love of God, nor have the comfort of a pardon, have no sensible communion with him, yet the choice and bent of the heart is towards him, and you have the character of God's people upon you. 5. You have misspent a great deal of time already, and long neg…

He knew this was the way to bring them back again. So Satan has a pawn, and knows that all will fall to him at last (Hosea 10:2). Their heart is divided, now shall they be found faulty; halting between God and idols.

David says, (Behold I have longed after your precepts) not merely after the comfort of the promises, without regard to duty. The prophet tells us (Hosea 10:11), that Ephraim was like a heifer that was taught, that would tread out the corn, but would not endure the yoke, and brea…

God will use medicinal discipline, though not satisfy his justice upon them. 2. The qualification of the promise must be regarded by those that would have benefit by it: God's covenant is made with his people, 'tis a mutual stipulation, many would have comfort, we plead promises…

That which God has joined together, no man must put asunder. The prophet says, (Hosea 10:11) Ephraim is a heifer that is taught, and loves to tread out the corn; compared with (Deuteronomy 25:4) You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the corn. We are addicted to our own…

4. I might add, that a man may be much in obedience from sinister and base selfish ends, as the Pharisees, prayed much, gave much alms, fasted much, but our Lord Christ tells us that it was that they might be seen of men, and have glory of men (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). Most of the h…

Second characteristic: the sincere Christian serves God with the whole heart (Psalm 119:2). Hypocrites have a double heart (Psalm 12:2) — a heart for God and a heart for sin (Hosea 10:2). Their heart is divided.

Let Christ be the center to which all the lines of your actions are drawn. The hypocrite pretends Christ but drives on some self-interest (Hosea 10:1) — like one who pretends to court for his friend but is a suitor for himself. How many make the name of Christ a stepping stone t…

Use 2. Here is an indictment against three sorts. Such as bring forth no fruit (Hosea 10:1): Israel is an empty vine. O how many unfruitful hearers are there — who evaporate into nothing but froth and fume, being like those ears which run out all into straw!

As (Proverbs 3:29): Plow not evil against your neighbor. (Hosea 10:13) You have plowed iniquity, such plots are forged against the people of God (Matthew 27:1; Nahum 1:11). 9. A proud heart (1.) resisted of God.

(6.) It is a word of near adherence [⟨ in non-Latin alphabet ⟩] to lean firmly upon any with hope of security (2 Kings 18:5): have you leaned upon this reed? (Hosea 10:13; Psalm 13:6; Psalm 31:7; Deuteronomy 12:10): you shall dwell safely, confidently; it places the soul under t…

And he would have the godly dead to king and priest and law (2 Chronicles 15:3): Now for a long season Israel had been without the true GOD, and without a teaching priest, and without law. Hosea 3:4; Hosea 10:3: And now shall they say, We have no king, because we feared not the…

To be intire for God, to follow him wholly, to cleave to him with purpose of Heart, to have the Heart circumcis'd to love him, is to have all our Affections renewed and sanctifyed, without which we can do none of them. When it is otherwise, there is a double Heart, an Heart and…

For this sin God has brought us low, he has made our Fig-tree to wither, and suffered the Palmer-worm to eat our Vine. 7. Another sin which has brought us low, is Barrenness under the Means of Grace, Hosea 10:1. Israel is an empty Vine; his juice runs out only into leaves.

When Christ runs away with your will; as Christ was like a man that had not a man's will; so Saul (Acts 9:6), trembling and astonished, said, Lord what will you have me to do? It's good when the Lord tramples upon Ephraim's fair neck (Hosea 10:11). There is no goodness in our wi…

1. That which they do bring forth is not true fruit, the Holy Ghost does not vouchsafe it that name; they are said here, not to bring forth fruit. That speech in Hosea 10:1 will give clear light to understand this; with the ground of it also: Israel is, there called, an empty vi…

The days of man shall be a hundred and twenty years, to the old world (Genesis 6:3): nor are years only, but even months determined with him, Now shall a month devour them with their portions, to idolatrous Israel (Hosea 5:7). Nor months only, but days and parts of days; In a mo…