Vers. 4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgement springeth up as hemlock in the furrowes of the field.
The second accusation, is, that in their pactions both with God and m••n, they used but empty words, and false oathes, observing none of them. This is amplified from an effect, that judgement springeth up as hemlock, which however it may be understood of the judgements and punishments to come, that they should be bitter and rife, and this weed is in the fields; yet it seemeth more clear, (by comparing it with Amos 5.7.) to understand it thus; That from their corruption and unfaithfulnesse it flowed, that instead of judgement and justice, the bitter and deadly fruits of unrighteousnesse did spring up in all the Land. Whence learn, 1. God cannot endure mens empty words and professions, whether in Religion, or in their private commerce, when they have no more; For, They have spoken words, and but words. 2. As wicked mens oathes and Covenants with God or men, are no more to be trusted then their words; so it is the cause of a sad controversie, when it is so; For, it is a challenge added to the former, swearing falsely in making a Covenant. See Lev. 26.25. Ezek 17.15. Psal. 15.4. 3. When men dare hypocritically dissemble, and make no conscience of oathes and Covenants, they are then ripe for all unrighteousnesse, and will be given up to pro∣duce such and so many fruits thereof, as will not only be bitter and deadly to the oppressed, but God will account it bitter and in∣tolerable: For, thus judgement springeth up as hemlo••k, both for nature and for the abundance of it. 4. As mens professions, and feigned pretences, will not hide the true nature of sin from the All-seeing eye of God; so the pains taken on a people, to make them righteous, renders their injustice so much the more odious: For, notwithstanding they professed faire, and seemed to take pains, as on a plowed field, to bring forth good fruit; and notwithstanding God had manured them, as men do their