Amos 3:9-15

There is somewhat very striking in the Lord's appeal to the nations of the earth for the justification of his conduct concerning his people. It not only is intended to this purpose, for perhaps this is the smallest reason why the Lord publisheth his proceedings; but it is a yet stronger appeal than before to the Lord's degenerate people. We have a striking example, Isaiah 5:3-4 . But in the midst of all the judgments that are to fall upon the people, the covenant relationship is still preserved, see Isaiah 5:13-17 .

REFLECTIONS

READER! while you and I pause over a subject of so truly humbling a nature as this Chapter affords, in the contemplation of the Church's backsliding and rebellion against God; and while from a conscious sense of the part we all bear in the great aggregate of human transgression, we take to ourselves, as we justly ought to do, shame and confusion of face; let us learn to form a proper distinction between the fatherly corrections of the Lord over his children, and the tremendous judgments manifested to his enemies. What the Lord himself hath here said, is enough to lead our hearts to form a right estimate of all his corrections. You only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. The very scripture, in the moment of threatened correction, carries with it in its bosom a full testimony that that correction is not to destroy but to reform. Hence Reader! let us learn, that the Lord's design is to bring the heart home, not to harden, but to soften; to purge from sin, not to leave the soul in sin; to bring to Jesus, not to lead from Jesus. A gracious and a blessed end is in every dispensation. And most blessed it is when the poor sinner, led by grace, is brought back with the awakened cry of the soul; Lord! take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, so will we render the calves of our lips. Blessed Jesus! how unceasing our need of thee; and how precious thy salvation! Oh! for grace, to have our souls kept from sin, and our souls washed from sin, in thy blood!