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VER. 12, 13.
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou Seer, goe flee thee away into the Land of Judah, and there eate bread, and Prophecy there;
But Prophesie not againe at Bethel, for it is the Kings Chappel, and it is the Kings Court.
THis false Prophet seeing he could not remove Amos by force, sets upon him now by fraud; the King not being moved with his Message, and refusing to meddle with Amos, either for fear of the people, who knew Amos to be an holy and eminent Prophet, and so must needs have great influence upon them, or else for some other politick respects, the King spared him.
But since the Lions skin will not doe, this Promotor will try what the Fox can doe; to this end he gives Amos, 1. An honourable title. 2. Friendly counsel, one would think, per∣swading him by any means to leave Israel, and goe to Iudah, where he might be safe and free.
q. d. I am the High Priest of Bethel, and have my prefer∣ment and profits in Israel; but thou art of Judah, and camest from Tekoa; prethee goe to thy Tekoits again, and trouble not my Bethelians; come not in my Diocess, I promise thee, I will not come in thine; hinder not my gaine, and take thine and spare not.
In this Verse this subtile Sophister packs up much in a little room, and useth almost as many Arguments as words.
1 He gives him an honourable Compellation, O Seer, it is not, O unlearned Herdsman, or, O seditious Seeds-man, as before; but he gives him a title of honour, the better to hide his malicious designes, and to insinuate himself into Amos. See how quickly wicked men can change their Language, and blesse those whom but lately they cursed; before it was Amos the Conspirator, but now it is Amos the Servant of God, and the Seer. The Prophets of old were called Seers, 1 Sam. 9.9. Isa. 30.10. God inlightned them by his Spirit, and made known to them his secrets by Visions, hence they were called