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.

Vers. 1. NHe word of the LORD that came unto Hosea the son of Beeri, in the dayes of Ʋzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, Kings of Judah, and in the dayes of Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel.

THe Inscription of the Prophecy holds forth, 1. The Pen∣man of this Doctrine, described from his own and his Fa∣thers Name, concerning whom, since we read no more, it were needlesse curiosity to dip further in it, seeing that is not the great businesse to be here looked to. 2. The Divine authority of this Doctrine, and his calling to publish it. 3. The time of his Ministery, which is reckoned by the reignes of the Kings of Judah in that time, though he preached unto Israel; because (as would appear,) the fearful miscarriages of most of these Kings, and the confusions occasioned thereby, rendered them unworthy of being taken notice of by God. Only Jeroboam the second, one of Jehu's race, is mentioned, partly to shew that he did not

begin to Prophesy toward the end of Uzziah's reigne, but even in Jeroboams time, who began his reigne before Uzziah, (or Azariah,) 2 Kings 14.23. and 15.1. and ended it a good while before him, 2 Kings 15.8. and so it intimates that he Prophesied long, and continuing in the dayes of Hezekiah, it is likely that he saw the captivity of Israel, which was in the sixth year of Hezekiah, 2 Kings. 18.10. partly, this is marked, to shew that Hosea began thus to Prophesy, not when the declining condition of affaires under the succeeding Kings, might repre∣sent to any these sad things which he foretold, but when Israel was in a most flourishing condition, as it was under this King, 2 Kings 14.23, 25. From this Inscription, Learn, 1. Whoever be the instrument that carrieth the Lords message, it is still our duty to study the Divine Authority of his Word and Messages sent by them, that so we may know whereon to lane; that we may be attentive, considering we have to do with God, and not with men and vain terrours from them; and that it may take the envy of any hard Message from off instruments, as flowing no way from their humors, or desire to disturbe the common tran∣quillity: For these causes is the Divine Authority of this Prophe∣cy in particular asserted it is, The word of the Lord to Hosea, the son of Beeri. See 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. 2. As it is the duty of the Lords faithful servants, to preach only Gods Word to his people; so for performing of this, it is required, not only that they have a∣bilities and endowments, but authority and a calling also, which may assure them of assistance and successe in some measure, and of support under any difficulties they meet with; Therefore it is called, The word of the Lord that came unto Hosea; The Lords Word came unto him to call him to the Office, and being called, he received the ensuing Messages by Inspiration, and ex∣traordinary Revelation, and these only be recordeth and publish∣eth. 3. Such is the goodnesse and long-suffering of God, as not to give up with his sinful people at first, but he will pursue them with messages from himself, even for a long time, and till their case prove irrecoverable; For, so much doth he manifest by continuing Hosea in his Ministery for so long a time, not∣withstanding their Apostasy, The word of the Lord came unto Hosea, in the dayes of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hozekiah, &c. See 2 Chron. 36.14, 15, 16. 4. It may be the lot of the Lords faithful servants, that when they have spent their time and strength, for a long time among a people, yet they become worse, and go to ruine; For, notwithstanding Hoseas paines for so

long a time, yet Israel was not converted, but sent into capti∣vity, as his own Doctrine, and the History of these times bear witnesse. See Isa. 49.4. 5. It is the commendation of th•• Lords faithful servants, that as length of time doth not make them weary of their hard toile, and apparently fruitlesse labours; so in varierie of times and changes, they remaine the same: For, notwithstanding the many revolutions in the time of Hoseas Mini∣stery, yet he bears out in his calling, and is uniforme in his Do∣ctrine. 6. As the Lord may have sad strokes coming on a peo∣ple, when they are in the height of prosperity, and have over∣come all their outward enemies; So, however wicked people do abuse their prosperity, and turne it into a snare for themselves, yet spiritual observers will not be blinded therewith, but will see sad wrath under all of it, ready to break forth: For, this mes∣sage containing sad threatenings, came in the dayes of Jeroboam, the son of Joash, King of Israel; when Israel was flourishing, and then the Prophet saw it. 7. It is in special commendation of faithfull Ministers, when the prosperity of an impenitent people doth not tempt them to Prophesy smooth things, but they de∣nounce wrath most stoutly against a people liable to it, when the Lords dispensations seem to promise the contrary: Therefore in the dayes of Jeroboam, when all seemed to go well, and when therefore faithful Prophets could hardly be suffered, Amos 7.10, 12. even then doth he so freely plead the Lords controversie▪