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.

Ver. 10. They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roare like a lion: when he shall roare, then the children shall tremble from the West.

11. They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

In the second promise the Lord undertakes further, that not only he will not consume Israel under their troubles; but that after their rejection and exile, he will convert them to follow him; that the Lord will declare himself so terrible, as none shall dare to hinder their return, and themselves shall tremble to resist the call of God, bidding them return, but shall go as affrighted spar∣rowes and doves from all the places where they are scattered; And that God will place them not only in the Church, but (as would appear) in their land and houses, to serve him in peace. And this is a promise to Ephraim, or the ten Tribes, v. 8, 9. Doct. 1. The Lords preserving of his people, how long soever reject∣ed and scattered, may at last end in much good to them; as this promise to Israel subjoyned to the former, doth teach. 2. Con∣version unto God is the dawning of this fair day, and here his

purpose of good begins openly to manifest it self toward these whom he hath long preserved; For, this is the first visible ef∣fect of his mercy toward Israel, They shall walk after the LORD, or be converted. 3. Such as are truly converted, will take God for a teacher, to follow his directions; and for their captain, to be employed where-ever he commands, in doing or suffering; and he will be a guide and captaine to such; For, so is their con∣version described. They shall walk after the LORD. 4. When a people turne to God, and follow after him, he will manifest him∣self terrible to all who would stand in the way of their felicity; For, he shall roare like a lion, not only by the voice of the Go∣spel working upon Israels hearts; but shall manifest himself to the terrour of the world, who will be alarmed by the conversion of Israel, and their appearing on the stage again. 5. The dread∣fulnesse of God ought to work even upon his converted people, to affright them from neglecting duty, and to make them tender-hearted before him; For, when he shall roare, the children shall tremble from the West. They shall tremble as a bird, and as a dove, that is, the dreadfulnesse of God shall not only make them with reverence flee to him, but shall make them afraid to sit Gods call, inviting them to return, (as appears) to their land, what∣ever difficulty there be in the way. 6. The Lord will not lose his scattered people, and especially Israel, but will seek them, and finde them to do them good, in whatsoever corner they are; For, from the West, out of Egypt, and out of the land of Assyria, that is, in all quarters▪ he will finde and bring them to restore them. 7. The Lord is sufficiently able to settle his people in their wont∣ed enjoyments, after long tossing; and for this, Gods under∣taking and promising of it, is ground of hope sufficient; For, I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.