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 4. That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock and the calves out of the midst of the stall:

5. That chaunt to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick like David:

6. That drink wine in bowls, and anoint them∣selves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

A third effect and evidence of their security, is, their luxury and sensuality, in that they lived a merry life, ha∣ving stately beds and couches, abounding with superfluity, whereon they lay and stretched themselves, when they were full at their feasts; they made themselves good cheare, had much mirth and musick at their feasts, drank largely out of great bowls, and anointed their bodies (as the custome then was at feasts or in more cheerful times, 2. Sam. 12.20. Eccl. 9.8. Luk. 7.46.) with the best ointments. All which is the more hateful, that (which is a fourth effect and evidence of their security) they little minded the affliction of their brethren, or of the body of the Church and Nation, who were in distresse up and down the country, while they lived at ease in the chief Cities. He calls them who were afflicted, Joseph, either because it was the ten Tribes who suffered chiefly at that time, with whom even they of Judah were bound to sympathize; Or, because he would put these great ones in minde, that their carriage was like the carriage of

Josephs brethren toward him, who sat down to eat bread, and little regarded the affliction of his soul when he was cast into the pit, and sold. See Gen. 37.24, 25. and 42.21. Doct. 1. Men do undeniably bewray their se∣cure dispositions and abuse of ease, when all the use they make of it, is to pamper and satiat themselves with beastly pleasures, and they do live in riot and sensuality, omitting nothing that may make them compleat Epicures; for, so is it here laid to their charge, as a fruit of their being at ease, that they lie upon beds of ivory, and eat and drink well &c. Not that it is simply unlawful for great men to lie better, and feed on better things then others; but that (beside the unseasonablnesse thereof, of which after∣ward) they exercised all their care about these things, were excessive and superfluous in them, and rested thereon and glutted themselves therewith. And if this be a sin in those that are at ease; much more in them who are in distresse, Isa. 22.12, 13. 2. Men have need to watch over their wayes even in meanest things, and to take heed lest in their very beds, houshold furniture, meat and drink, and dressing of their bodies, and the like, they be draw∣ing a wo upon themselves; for, in all these the Lord hath a quarrel against these secure sinners. 3. Ministers lawfully may, yea and in duty should be particular in con∣demning sins, and lay before men their failings in beds, table, apparrel &c; for, so doth Amos here in the Lords name. 4. As men may lead a merry life, who yet have no cause of joy: so however secure sinners, who chuse such mirth for their portion, and shelter against all stormes, do keep themselves throng with it, lest an evil conscience flee out upon them; yet all this their joy doth but adde fuel to the fire, and contribute to make the wo the sadder; for, so much may we learn from their chaunting to the sound of the viol (or joyning their voice with the instrument) and inventing instruments of musick; whereby musick is not condemned, but they are condemned who please them∣selves with it, and fed their security thereby, little mind∣ing their duty, or that which would be matter of true peace and joy unto them. 5. It is an aggravation of the sin of wicked men, when they abuse the example of Saints to sin; either when they stumble on their infirmities, or do pretend to imitate their good actions in their ill

courses, and abuse that which they enjoyed well; for, this adds to their sin, that they alleadged they did this like David, who was a great lover and Master of musick, but he spent all his care that way in setting forth Gods praise, whereas they onely made use of it for carnal pleasure. 6. Afflictions are sent upon some people, and not upon others, or on some part and persons of a Nation, and not upon o∣thers, not onely for their own correcttion and exercise who are afflicted, but to try the sympathie of others, and to see what use they will make of it; for, Josephs affliction or the breach made upon him, tried these Grandees. 7. As much sensual pleasure doth besot men, and deprive them of all sense of the afflictions of others, and sympathie with them; (for, here the one followeth on the other) So whatever may be pleaded for the pomp and state and plea∣sures of great men; yet it cannot but be sinful in a time of affliction, and when it deprives them of all sympathie and fellow feeling, and they make themselves a good life, when others are undone. For, it is the challenge, that they do all these things, but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.