Vers. 10. I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredome of Ephra∣im; Israel is defiled.
Thirdly, the whole Nation of Israel is accused, that however they covered their course, yet God was certain of their horrible wickednesse, in that Ephraim, or their Rulers, brought in the Idolatry of the calves, and other defections of that nature, which being received, defended, and propagated among the people, had polluted them to that day. Compare Chap. 5.3. Doct. 1. Al∣beit the Lord may have much to say against corrupt teachers in a time of general defection; yet that doth not free people before the Lord, but he will set their wayes in order before them; For, here after his challenges against the Priests, the whole Nation also is accused. 2. However men labour to prove strange pallia∣ters of sin, as if they could do it undiscerned, and so make their own wit and parts a plague unto themselves: yet let men cover their way, and dig as deep as they will, God doth still see them impartially; For, I have seen, or, I see an horrible thing, saith the Lord. 3. The corrupting of true Religion, and defection from it, is a very horrid and abominable sin, and doth pollute, let men pretend to what purity they will; For, their whoredom is an horrible thing, and so Heathens would account it, Jer. 2.10, 11. and thereby Israel is defiled. 4. Beside the inclination, that is in every mans heart by nature, to Idolatry and false Re∣ligion, it cannot but adde much to the tentation to decline, when the wrong course is owned and carried on by authority, and pre∣vailing powers; Their corrupt defections do very readily over∣spread and pollute all; For, it is the whoredom of Ephraim, whereby Israel is defiled. Their defection did easily prevaile with the people.