A brief exposition on the XII. smal prophets: the first volume containing an exposition on the prophecies of Hosea, Joel, & Amos. By George Hutcheson, minister at Edenburgh.

TO THE READER,

Christian Reader,

I Have now, through the Lords assistance, finished, and do here present thee with this Expositi∣on of these three Prophets, which with the Piece: formerly publish∣ed, do compleat the whole lesser Prophets according to my under∣taking, when I published the first Piece. That I have published these last, when yet they are first in order, may (I confesse) seem somewhat strange to any who shall not consider, (according as I hinted in the Preface to the first,) that by a recommendation from a faithful Servant of CHRIST, I was only desired to undertake Oba∣diah with some that follow, it being expected that others should have done somewhat upon the three first, and some of the last of these Prophets. But finding that they could not, for divers reasons, prosecute what they had purposed; I was stirred up to essay first these that followed after the Prophets I had undertaken, and then these now presented to thee;

wherein it hath pleased the LORD to carry me on to this period.

I do acknowledge, that beside the conscience of mine own inability, and the incumbrance of many diversions from without; I have encountered with two great impediments in prosecuting this way of writing, especially in this last Piece: One is, that in these Holy Writings, which runne much upon one straine and subject, (as divers of these Prophets do,) however the studying of one may contribute much light for understanding of another; yet I con∣ceive that the variety of gifts communicated unto em∣pty men, were needfull for searching out the Rich Treasures of Doctrine which are hid up in them, and that one man (especially being of mean parts,) will on such subjects readily soon wear out, and either abound in repetitions, or prove but barren in his collections from Rich Texts. The other is, that so much hath been already written on some of these Pro∣phets, (beside what is done on them all,) and par∣ticularly on Hosea, not onely in the Latine tongue for the use of the Learned, but in English also, that it should seem needlesse to adde any more: Yet when I considered that the most part of the LORDS people could not make use of Latine Writings, and that what I have seen in English on Hosea or Joel, is so large, that it may readily deterre many from buying or reading, and withall finding that none I could learn of, were about to do any thing upon them in short; I have adventured over these impedi∣ments to adde them to the former, that there might be an uniforme mould upon the whole: And al∣beit these who shall take paines to read larger Com∣mentaries,

will finde many sweet discourses and col∣lections, with refreshful Digressions and Ampli∣fications, which are not to be found here: Yet I hope that (according to the method propounded,) e∣very Reader may finde here, such a plaine and fa∣miliar Analysis, such a sound Exposition (where∣in the Analysis and coherence is cleared where it is needful,) and such a collection of obvious observa∣tions, (in deducing whereof, the Exposition is oft∣times further enlarged, and particular phrases and words not omitted,) as may be helpful unto him in reading of these Scriptures. And these all done so briefly, as may take away the excuses of many who please themselves too much in neglecting to converse daily with the Scriptures, pretending their owne incapacity, and the prolixity of many helps offered unto them.

My desire unto thee (Christian Reader,) is, that not only thou would accept of this my endeavour, as thou hast been pleased to do formerly, beyond my expectation and deserving; and that thou pray with me that GOD would stirre up others, to undertake some other place of Scripture, in this or the like brief way; and particularly the greater Prophets, and some of the Writings of the New Testament, which contain the Marrow of Divinity: But also that in the mean time thou would make right use of this and the like helps offered unto thee. I need not make use of Luthers saying, who professed if he thought his Writings would take up mens time from reading the Scriptures, he would like Saturne, devour his own children. For thou canst not read this, but almost at every sentence it

will lead thee to the Scripture: And it is not on∣ly thy duty to give obedience unto God commanding thee to read and understand, but it addes much to the obligation, that GOD hath not only reveal∣ed his minde concerning the salvation of lost sinners, but hath registrate the same in Holy Writing, to prevent delusion and forgetfulnesse, and perpetuate his Truth in the World, and hath contrived it so, as with little expence and trouble, thou may have it, and carry it about with thee; and that he hath set apart his Servants daily to open it up unto thee; and employeth some by writing, to contribute their endeavours for thy good. It cannot also but commend Scripture unto thee, if thou consider that it is Gods Charter put in thy hand concerning thy eternal happinesse, that as by prayer thou keeps converse with God in Heaven, so by the Scriptures GOD converseth with thee, and speaks and daily sends missives unto thee, and that what thou, who in the sense of thy sinne and misery hast fled to Christ, findes there answering thy necessity, cometh not un∣to thee at adventure or by chance; but is as really intended for thee, as if it had been written to thee in particular, and by name: And so the Apostle applies that general sentence of the Pro∣verbes, as spoken to his present hearers under their present pressures, Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you, as unto children, My sonne, despise not thou the cha∣stening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him, Heb. 12.5. In a word, If the Law of God be thy meditation and delight, thou wilt finde God there, it will keep thee spiritual and heavenly-minded, it will make thee wiser then thy

enemies, and recompence thee with innumerable rich advantages; And on the other hand, thy sleighting of Scriptures, is an infallible signe of thy woful condition whatever thou pretend to, or dream of; and thy neglecting to hear him speak, may justly provoke him to let thee cry in thy great∣est need, and yet not answer thee. Which that it may not prove the sad lot of too too many in this backsliding generation, is the prayer of him who is,

Thine to serve thee in the Gospel, GEORGE HUTCHESON.