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And at that time will I search Ierusalem with lights, and visit the men that are frosen in their dregs, and saye in their hearts, the Lord will neither doe good, nor euill.
THis is the figure Hypophora, or answering of an obiection,* 1.1 least GOD might seem too seuere or sharpe vnto his people, who will chastize them so hardlie. For vnder an elegant or fine Metaphor is shewed, how obstinatlie and carelesly wicked, and stubborne against God that people was: obstinate or stubborne,
because that they were vtterlie hardned, & as it were frosē in their dregs and those sinnes,* 1.2 without any more feeling now of any conscience at all. Careles also was the same people, because that what soeuer the Prophets threatned, & laid before them the word of God concerning his menaces & promises, al this did the Iewes despise, and scorne, and wickedlie spoyled and robbed God of his prouidence. The which thing albeit that it seemed of them to be done secretlie and verie couertlie, yet shall the Lord vncouer it, and searching most diligentlie shall in the end laye open all their secret sinnes, yea those things which are most hidden. And this doth the Prophet set foorth vnder a familiar example and Metaphor of Searchers, the more to rouze vp and awaken their hypocrisie and drowsines.
What the fi∣gure Hypophora is, see Amos cap. 6. ver. 21.
What the Fi∣gure Metaph∣ora is, see Amos cap. 4. ver. 12.