Hos. 2:1-5 This chapter continues the figurative address to Israel, in reference to Hosea's wife and children. Let us own and love a brethren, all whom the Lord seems to put among his children, an encourage them in that they have received mercy. But every Christian by his example and conduct, must protest against evil and abuses, eve among those to whom he belongs and owes respect. Impenitent sinner will soon be stripped of the advantages they misuse, and which the consume upon their lusts.

Hos. 2:6-13 God threatens what he would do with this treacherous idolatrous people. They did not turn, therefore all this came upo them; and it is written for admonition to us. If lesser difficulties be got over, God will raise greater. The most resolute in sinful pursuits are commonly most crossed in them. The way of God and duty is ofte hedged about with thorns, but we have reason to think it is a sinfu way that is hedged up with thorns. Crosses and obstacles in an evi course are great blessings, and are to be so accounted; they are God' hedges, to keep us from transgressing, to make the way of sin difficult, and to keep us from it. We have reason to bless God for restraining grace, and for restraining providences; and even for sor pain, sickness, or calamity, if it keeps us from sin. The disappointments we meet with in seeking for satisfaction from the creature, should, if nothing else will do it, drive us to the Creator When men forget, or consider not that their comforts come from God, he will often in mercy take them away, to bring them to think upon their folly and danger. Sin and mirth can never hold long together; but in men will not take away sin from their mirth, God will take away mirt from their sin. And if men destroy God's word and ordinances, it is just with him to destroy their vines and fig-trees. This shall be the ruin of their mirth. Taking away the solemn seasons and the sabbath will not do it, they will readily part with them, and think it no loss but He will take away their sensual pleasures. Days of sinful mirt must be visited with days of mourning.

Hos. 2:14-23 After these judgments the Lord would deal with Israel mor gently. By the promise of rest in Christ we are invited to take his yoke upon us; and the work of conversion may be forwarded by comfort as well as by convictions. But usually the Lord drives us to despair of earthly joy, and help from ourselves, that, being shut from every othe door, we may knock at Mercy's gate. From that time Israel would be mor truly attached to the Lord; no longer calling him Baali, or "My lor and master," alluding to authority, rather than love, but Ishi, a address of affection. This may foretell the restoration from the Babylonish captivity; and also be applied to the conversion of the Jew to Christ, in the days of the apostles, and the future genera conversion of that nation; and believers are enabled to expec infinitely more tenderness and kindness from their holy God, than beloved wife can expect from the kindest husband. When the people wer weaned from idols, and loved the Lord, no creature should do them an harm. This may be understood of the blessings and privileges of the spiritual Israel, of every true believer, and their partaking of Christ's righteousness; also, of the conversion of the Jews to Christ Here is an argument for us to walk so that God may not be dishonoure by us: Thou art my people. If a man's family walk disorderly, it is dishonour to the master. If God call us children, we may say, Thou ar our God. Unbelieving soul, lay aside discouraging thoughts; do not thu answer God's loving-kindness. Doth God say, Thou art my people? Say Lord, thou art our God __________________________________________________________________

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