An exposition by way of supplement, on the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth chapters of the prophecy of Amos where you have the text fully explained ... : together with a confutation of Dr. Holmes, and Sir Henry Vane, in the end of the commentary / by Tho. Hall ...

OBSERVATIONS.

1 The Creatures excellency is all but vanity.

Take the Quintessence of all the Riches, Power, Pomp, Beauty, Morality, and delights of the World, and put them in one scale, and put Vanity in the other, and they will prove lighter than vanity;* 1.1 and therefore they may well be called, things of nought. But of this at large elsewhere.

2 Obs. Such is mans corruption and madness, that he rejoy∣ceth in things of nought.

He dislikes what is truly good, and delights in vanity, Psal. 4.6, 7. Hence Solomon spends the whole Book of Ecclesiastes in disswading men from this folly and madness. St. Chrysostom tells us, that if he had a voyce like Thunder, and a mighty Mountain for his Pulpit, and all the Men and Women in the World for his Auditory, he would chuse that Text to preach on, Psal. 4.2. O yee sons of men, how long will yee love vanity?

3 Gods Word is a critical word.

* 1.2It discovers the thoughts and intents of mens hearts, and layes their inside open, so great is its power and efficacy. Gods Word resembles God, as he is the only Heart-searching God, so his Word is the only Heart-searching Word. It pierceth to the very Marrow, and discovers to us our most secret thoughts and affections, Heb. 4.12. and can tell us, whether we delight in things of nought.

4. Wicked men ascribe that to their owne power and policy, which is due to Gods Power, and Grace.

If they have success and victory, they presently lift up their Horns and push at God, that they may the better Sacrifice to their own Net, and burn incense to their drag. Hab. 1.15, 16.

Thus Senacherib King of Assyria boasted of his power and success, as if he could conquer not only Ierusalem, but its God also, Isa. 36. Thus that Heathen that went forth to Battle, being admonish∣ed to call upon the Gods, answered, that it was for cowards to pray, as for himself, he was resolved to try his own strength in Battle, he did so, and was slaine. Let others kiss their own hands, Iob 31.27. and ascribe all to Idols and themselves; but let us, with all the Servants of God, ascribe the glory of all we are, or have, to God alone,* 1.3 for what have we that we have not received from him? 1 King. 8.24. Psal. 20.7. & 44.5, 6, 7, 8. & 89.9, 10.17, 18. it is by the grace of God that we are what we are, 1 Cor. 15.10.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In my Com. on Psal. 73.20. à Lapide in Amos 6.13. & Men∣doza, in 1 Reg. 2. Numb. 36. Annot. 25. p. 555.
• * 1.2

  V. Traps True Treasure, ch. 3. Sect. 3. p. 86. & Glassii Philo∣log. lib. 1. Tr. 3. S. 3. mihi. p. 201.
• * 1.3

  See my Com. on 2 Tim. 4.8. p. 410.