Amos 3

Ver. 2, 3. You only have I chosen to be, and used as, my peculiar people; and therefore your punishment shall be exemplary, because ye have sinned against clearer light and higher obligations than others: nor need you expect that I will behave towards you as a friend and benefactor while you continue acting in direct contradiction to my nature and laws

Amos 3:4-8

God would not issue forth such terrible denunciations of judgment unless he had you in view, as being by your sins the proper objects thereof, and intended to punish you. Not by chance, but by his special providence, these judgments are inflicted; nor shall they be either prevented or removed, but upon your repentance. These warnings ought to awaken you out of your stupidity, since no punishments can be inflicted but by the will and power of God: and, since he manifests his purposes to his prophets, they must faithfully declare his messages, that sinners may fear and repent. 11, 12. The Assyrians shall invade you on every side, murder your valiant men, take your strong cities, and plunder your wealth: ye shall be butchered, or driven into captivity, like sheep; and very few, even of those who hide themselves under beds, or in secret holes, shall escape

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. III.—How dignified is the church of God! But just and severe are her corrections when her privileges are abused. Obstinacy in sin effectually separates us from a favourable God. And terrible, but certain, preludes of wrath to impenitent sinners are the threatenings of his word and providence. His terrors are not phantoms, raised to frighten the weak, ignorant, or superstitions, but awful realities, which will come to pass. And transgressions most surely ensnare men in nets of guilt and misery, from which only God’s almighty grace, bringing them to repentance, can deliver them. In all our troubles the hand of God must be acknowledged. He never strikes into ruin, till, having warned in vain, sinners prove incorrigible; and then his warnings but aggravate their condemnation. Manifest is his justice in their destruction, who have outrageously sinned in opposition to multiplied means of grace, and who have accustomed themselves to wickedness till they consent to or approve it. If we provoke him with our offences, he will oppress us with his vengeance; and nothing will be able to prevent our ruin, unless we repent. Yes, the things which we had idolized, or had abused to iniquity, shall be ruined along with us