ON HOSEA XIV. VERSE 9. 297 not worship at Jerusalem, lest Israel should revolt to the house of David, 1 Kings xii. 27. Amos must not prophesy against the idolatry of Israel, for the land is not able to bear all his words, Amos vii. 10. The Jews conclude Christ must not be let alone, lest the Romans come and take away their place and nation, John xi. 48. Demetrius and the craftsmen will by no means have Diana spoken against, because by making shrines for her they got their wealth, Acts xix. 24, 25. Corruption will close with religion a great way, and hear gladly, and do many things will- ingly, and part with much to escape damnation ; but there is a particular point of rigour and strictness in every unregenerate man's case, which when it is set on close upon him, causeth him to stumble, and to be offended, and to break the treaty. The hypocrites in the prophet will give rams, and rivers of oil, and the first -born of their body for the sin of their soul : but to " do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with God," to do away the treasures of wickedness, the scant measure, the bag of deceitful weights, violence, lies, circumvention, the statutes of Omri, or the counsels of the house of Ahab ; this is intolerable : they will rather venture smiting and desolation than be held to so severe terms, Mic. vi. 6. 16. The young man will come to Christ, yea, run to him and kneel, and desire instruction touching the way to eternal life, and walk with much care in observation of the commandments ; but if he must part with all, and instead of great possessions, take up a cross and follow Christ, and fare as he fared, this is indeed a hard saying : he that came running, went away grieving and displeased, and upon this one point doth he and Christ part, Mark x. 17. 22. Herod will hear John gladly, and do many things, and observe.
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