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.

Verse 5. Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?

Fourthly, whereas they might alleadge, that albeit af∣flictions had come, or should come upon them, yet what needed they keep such a businesse about them, since no∣thing was more ordinary then to see such revolutions, that all Kingdomes and Nations, as well as they, had their own times of affliction, and after a time their case alters again, and they recover? The Lord (to obviate this) declares, 1. That as a bird is not taken on the earth without a snare; so afflictions upon persons or nations do not come by chance, nor without his speciall providence. 2. That as a fowler doth not willingly nor usually (though some∣time he may for want of power to prosecute his purpose, and so the similitude is not to be strained) take up his net before he catch his prey; so neither could Prophets cease to threaten, till either they were taken therewith, and brought as true penitents to Gods mercy, or were given up to justice: Nor would rods be removed, till either they were amended or destroyed by them. Doct. 1. Such as do contemn and make ill use of the threatnings of the word, will readily also contemn and harden themselves under sad plagues; for, so much doth the connexion of this with the former verse teach; and such as make but ill use of rods, would look upon that as the fruit of despising the word; and till that be first mourned for, the other will not be gotten amended. 2. One great distemper, and cause of mens hardning themselves under afflictions, is, their unwillingnesse to see an hand of God in them, which would invite and stir them up to repent and turn to him, as the onely remedy of their grievances; for, this is the distemper here refuted: and we finde it very eminent∣ly in the Philistines, notwithstanding all their convictions, 1. Sam. 6.9. 3. Whatever be the shifts of mens hearts, yet it is a clear truth which men are bound to believe and make use of, that their afflictions come by the providence of God, that it is his forbearance which keeps them from that gin, and his hand that intraps them; for, in this he

appeales to themselves, and presseth this truth upon them: Can a bird fall into a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? The study of this truth is very necessary, partly, that men may dreame of no issue so long as they neglect to turn to God; partly, that they may tremble and be affect∣ed that they have to do with such a party, whose anger is dreadful, and in whose favour is their life; partly, that they may be patient toward Instruments of their trouble, when they see God imploying them; and partly also, that being reconciled with God, they may be comforted, that his hand and providence is supreme in measuring out their trouble, who numbers the very hairs of their heads, Math. 10.30. 4. It is a judgement on wicked men, that plagues sent upon them are as snares and gins to them; for, so are they here expressed in this similitude; not onely because their own sins prove a net to catch them in and deliver them to justice; or because many times snares are their greatest plagues, when outward favours harden them in sin; But 1. because their afflictions do surprize them inexpectedly, and they are still taken asleep, notwithstand∣ing all the warnings they get, Luke 21.24, 45. 2. Be∣cause their afflictions are plagued to them, and by their carriage under them they draw still on more afflictions, as a bird taken in a snare, doth but intangle it selfe the more that it indeavours to escape. Doct. 5. Whatever be the Lords soveraignty in grace, to change his dispensations toward his people when he pleaseth; yet such as are ill pleased with rough messages or judgements, may blame themselves for their continuance, since they are sent upon an errand, and we must do what they are sent to worke before they be removed: for, shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?