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. 2. The LORD also hath a controver∣sie with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his wayes: according to his doings will he re∣compense him.

To terrifie Israel the more, he declareth that he hath a contro∣versie with Judah also, though better then they; which he will plead, as well as he will punish Israel (who descended from Ja∣cob, and gloried in that title) according to their wayes and do∣ing. Whence learn, 1. Such as do promise unto themselves im∣punity, because sin is general, and others imbarked in it with them, will meet with a disappointment; And all the advan∣tage that the general over-spreading of sin affords, will be that it provokes God the more, and that every sinner shall get more company in the calamity; For, this was one of Israels refuges, that Judah also was not very good, and in particular, that they were now and then following these confederacies, as the Scripture makes clear. And this the Lord refutes by this threatning. 2. Whatever God approve of in people, that is right, either in publick managing of affaires, or external way of Worship; yet he both seeth, and will punish the sins of their conversation, which are not answerable to these; For, albeit Judah be com∣mended, ch. 11.12. yet because of their failings in daily pra∣ctice, The Lord hath also a controversie with Judah. 3. The Lord is so impartial and tender, as that however every sin deserve ex∣treamest judgements, and he will not spare any; yet he will mea∣sure out his stroakes and dispensations according to the degree of peoples sin, and their obstinacy in it; For, he hath a controversie

with Judah, which imports that the processe was but yet in plead∣ing, by the Word and more gentle corrections, and that he would not so suddenly destroy them; whereas for Israel, he will punish Jacob, &c. 4. The Lord will not be deceived, nor cease to prosecute a controversie, because of faire titles which men pretend to, when yet their wayes are not answerable; For, though they were Jacob, all whose children were of the blessed seed, (as it was not with Abraham and Isaac,) and therefore as good as Judah; yet the Lord will punish Jacob according to his wayes, according to his doings will he recompense him.