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. 5. The inhabitants of Samaria shall feare, because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourne over it, and the Priests there∣of, that rejoyced on it, for the glory thereof, be∣cause it is departed from it.

Followeth the Lords sentence for this sin, wherein all their confidences are taken from them, in a threatening consisting of several branches. The first branch is, the destruction of their Idol-calves, which should be sad newes and matter of fear to Sa∣maria, which was last a taking; and matter of sorrow to the fol∣lowers and Priests thereof, who gloried in them, when they should see them so ignominiously used by the enemies, and no more reverenced and worshipped as gods. He mentions the calves of Beth-aven, (or Bethel, as, ch. 4.15.) though there was but one there, either because Bethel was the eminent seat of the calves, though there were but one in it; or because both Bethel and Dan were now Beth-aven, or, a place of vanity, or, iniquity, because of that idolatry; or because at Bethel, beside the calfe publickly erected, they made little ones in their houses like it also, and the Lord declareth all that, should not availe. Afterward in the Vers. he mentions only one in the singular number, (shall mourne over it, &c.) to shew that they were all of one nature and kinde, and that one should availe even as much as many. Doct. 1. Idolatry is matter of ignominy to any place or interest that ownes it; for, it turnes Bethel into Beth-aven. See ch. 4.15. 2. It doth prove the vanity of Idols, that their worshippers cannot trust in them, but must be solicitous and anxious about them in straits; For, so were they about the calves of Beth-aven. This solicitude differs far from the fear of Gods people about his Worship and Ordinances in times of dan∣ger, (as, 1 Sam. 4.13.) which doth not flow from their diffi∣dence in God, but from the sense of their guilt, especially in abusing these Ordinances, whereas they are afraid for their I∣dols, when yet they omitted nothing of their worship. 3. Any

thing that men place their confidence in beside God, will prove matter of fear and terrour; For, so did the calves prove to Sa∣maria, in the time of their siege, The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear, because of the calves of Beth-aven: it should increase their terrour in enduring the siege, when they should hear that their gods in whom they confided, are destroyed and not able to help themselves. 4. Albeit corrupt Worship and Religion may seem strange at first, to them who have been bred up in the truth; yet in processe of time, and being attended with successe, it may take with them who are not well rooted; For, whatever Israel thought of the calves at first, yet now there are the people thereof, (men devoted to them, who) shall mourne for it. 5. Such as are eminently employed in, and greatest gainers by corrupt worship, have a sad day abiding them; Therefore it is added in speci∣all, that mourning is abiding the Priests, (or, Chemarims, of whom see Zeph. 1.4.) thereof, that rejoyced on it, or because of it, that is, who led a merry life, because of their attendance on this Idol. See Rev. 18.11, &c. 6. The glory of Idolatry and of a false Religion, (being but borrowed and having nothing to commend it, but novelty and successe,) will at last evanish and depart; And God will bring about this by judgements, when no other mean will effectuate it; For, so much is imported in this reason of their sorrow, for the glory thereof, because it is de∣parted from it. This will be the lot of all false wayes, whereas truth, however men loath it for a while, will still at last be found to be lovely, and to have a native unstained beauty.