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Vers. 2. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.
In the second place, (which may comprehend all ranks) he accuseth them, that they were most subtile in their projects and devices to compasse; and in their pretences, excuses and distin∣ctions, to cover their bloody oppressions and facts, and that
they were deeply rooted in them: This he aggravates, in that it was done notwithstanding the Lords free admonitions given to all ranks, by the Prophets that had lived among them, such as Ahijah, Elijah, Elisha, and others, and notwithstanding his warnings by lesser corrections. Whence learn, 1. Oppression is in Gods account bloody cruelty and slaughter, for, all of it, and every kind of it, is here cal'd a making slaughter. 2. Mens ability or parts in compassing & defending ill courses, doth not extenuate, but ra∣ther aggrege them, and make them the more odious, that they seem to convey them handsomly, & make them seem plausible; for, it is a challenge, that they are profound to make slaughter; or, as rob∣bers who lie in wait, they lay their plots deep, that they may compasse them handsomely and plausibly. 3. As mens subtile conveyances in sinning, and their parts in palliating of it, prove snares to themselves to harden them so much the more in it; so to be deeply rooted and engaged in a course of sinning, is an ag∣gravation thereof; so much also may be imported in that they are profound to make slaughter, or have taken deep root in that course; as, Hosea 9.9. Isa. 31.6. which is in part occasioned by their subtile way of it, 4. Apostates and revolters from God, are ordinarily given up to be grossest in their course; to be bloody and cruel without a check or scruple, to be plagued with abilities to compasse their ends, and to defend their wayes, and to be most deeply plunged in ill courses; for, it is the revolters, who are pro∣found to make slaughter. 5. As it is of the Lords great mercy, that he gives free warning to his Church of her danger, and sends out lesser corrections to reclaim her: so sin after such dealing becomes very sinful; for, it is an aggravation of their way, that they went on, though I have been a rebuker, (or correction, as the word also signifieth) of them all. 6. When men once breed themselves to contemn the Word of God, and to despise instruction by his corrections, it is not only an evidence they are deeply engaged in grosse sin, but then certainly grossest courses will follow on it; for, they are then profound to make slaughter, when he had been a rebuker or correcter, but without effect.