Vers. 11. For behold, the Lord commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.
Fourthly, all these threatnings are amplified by shew∣ing that God had determined utterly to ruine (not onely or so much the habitations, as) the families of great and small, as an house cometh to ruine by breaches and clefts and droppings. Whence learn. 1. In great deso∣lations it is good and necessary to see an hand and pur∣pose of God, which maketh them effectual and irresisti∣ble. Therefore it is premitted, the Lord commandeth, and he will smite &c, and a behold is prefixed to this. See Nah. 1.14. Jer. 47.6, 7. 2. Where God hath a pur∣pose of vengeance, he can reach all persons of all ranks, and all their enjoyments; And he will not spare or be hindered to smite the greatest because of their greatnesse, nor will he passe over the small sinner, because of his meannesse, but will be about with both; for, he will smite the great house and the little house. 3. These stroakes are yet sadder, when the Lord sends them not on some persons onely, but makes them run through whole families, and societies, till they be consumed, and their houses made a desolation; for, he will smite the great house with breaches, or droppings, and the little house with clefts, that is, he will consume whole families as an house is dissolved and consumed by breaches and conti∣nual droppings; and will leave their habitations ruined, as a witnesse of this desolation.