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. 4. Yet let no man strive nor reprove another: for this people are as they that strive with the Priest.

The second Article of the accusation, containeth a challenge for their desperate and incorrigible impenitency; that albeit they were guilty of these grosse sins mentioned, v. 1, 2. and of many others, yet it was to no purpose to reprove or seek to reclaime them: For, they would admit of no admonition, private or publick, and if any did essay to do it, they would reject and op∣pose, though it were even their teachers urging the sentence of the Law. He saith, as they that strive, which as in Scripture-language is not only a note of similitude, but a declaration that cer∣tainly they did so. See Job. 1.14. We saw his glory, as the glory, &c. that is, not like unto it, but certainly the same which became the Son of God. Or it may be conceived, that many of their Priests did not rebuke them, but the people were so obstinate as to strive with them, if they did: Or, he speaks so of their striving with their Priests set up by Jeroboam, because they were not true Priests; but though they had been so, yet the people would have con∣tended, and they held them to be such, and yet contended with them. In summe, the challenge is that their case was so desperate, as use of needful means would rather irritate then amend them. Whence learn, 1. Albeit decliners may seem to be little engaged at first, yet when sin is given way unto, it is not easily removed, nor without much strife: For, so is imported here, that any who hoped to reclaime them, behoved to strive. 2. Every man in his station is bound to oppose the growth and continuance of sin, al∣beit he should meet with much opposition and strife; and to keep peace with God in doing duty, albeit he should incurre the ha∣tred of all the world; For, it is imported, that it is the duty of every man to strive, and reprove another. See Lev. 19.17. 3. It is an hainous aggravation of sin, when men become incorri∣gible, and much more when they rise against these who would re∣claim them, and become their enemie who tell the truth: For, this is the expresse challenge, Let no man strive, &c. that is, it is to no purpose to deal with them, for they not only amend not, but grow worse, and strive again, as is usual, that where means are not blessed, men become worse. 4. As it renders men base, and thy people, when they turne incorrigible, and haters and persecuters of the light, and such as bring it to them; so

then they are to be left to God to take course with them; For, it is then, The Lord hath a controversie, v. 1. and then, let no man strive, &c. that is, albeit the Prophet here give out Gods doom, yet in ordinary they were dogs and swine, before whom pearles were not to be cast, Matth. 7.6. 5. Albeit Ministers be not in∣fallible, and when they erre, may be opposed by any; yet it is an hainous impiety when they become the eye-sore of a time, be∣cause of their opposition unto iniquity and defection; For, it is in this respect they are challenged to be as they that strive with the Priest; See 1 Kings 22.8.