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. 3. They make the King glad with their wick∣ednesse, and their Princes with their lies.

The third sin challenged, is, that the people did please their King and Rulers with their wickednesse, (that is, they gave obe∣dience to them in their wicked commands, especially concerning Religion, ch. 5.11. which they expected would not have been taken so well by the people; and they studied to make them more and more glad by their wicked behaviour, since they saw them so plea∣sed with it.) And with their lies, whereby we may understand their false worship, which is a lying and a deceiving course, Isa. 44.20. and a lewd lie, to father it on God, as true worship per∣formed to him, as, 1 Kings. 12.28. Exod. 32.5. Or, we may un∣derstand it of their malicious slandering of such as were opposite to the course of the Court, and of the times; or of their flattering their Rulers, to comfort them when their consciences vexed them; or generally that they gave them occasion of joy that was deceit∣ful. Whence learn, 1. Let men rejoyce or glory never so much in sin, yet wickednesse is but a poor sport, and will prove so in end; For, it draweth God to be against them, that they were made glad with wickednesse. 2. It evidenceth the sad case of a Land, when they who should advance piety and vertue, and

punish vice, are on the contrary rejoycers at the wickednesse of their people, and glad to get them drawen to it: For, it is the challenge, that the King and Princes are made glad with their (that is, the peoples) wickednesse, that they have a people who will obey their wicked commands, and are not so tender and scrupulous, as to make question of right and wrong, especially in the matter of Religion, but will run whither they are driven by a supreme command. 3. It is also a sad case when men, and espe∣cially great ones, have such designes, as cannot be compassed but by wickednesse; and when they are so far given up, as to be glad to attain their end, by whatsoever means it be; For, so much also doth the challenge import; Their Rulers could not carry their businesse, unlesse their subjects were embarqued in a wick∣ed course; and they were so farre from making scruple of that, that they were glad the people were so, that they might gain their point. 4. It is the usuall disposition and woful sin of a people, that they are still upon the prevailing side, and do follow the ex∣ample and will of their Rulers, if it were even to sin; For, it is laid to their charge, They make the King glad with their wicked∣nesse, &c. they will make no bones of sin, if they know it may please him; yea, they will prove more plyable and forward, then could have been expected of them. See Prov. 29.12. 5. As I∣dolatry and false worship is a deceitful ground of comfort, and will not be owned by God, whatever men pretend; and as the calumniating of upright men is an usual way of promoting a false Religion; So a deceitful lying comfort is a dangerous snare, and it is the great sin of any to be instrumental in applying of it; For, so much is imported in that part of the challenge, They make the King and Princes (for both are understood in every one of the branches,) glad with their lies.