Micah 3

Ver. 2, 3. They cruelly oppressed their subjects, and, by exactions and rapine, took all from them that they could, barbarously making their very lives a burden to them

Micah 3:5-7

Because they by their flatteries seduce my people into wickedness for the sake of their own bellies, and hate and do all the mischief they can to my prophets, and all such as give them nothing; therefore such calamities shall come as will effectually refute their flatteries, and shamefully hinder them from foreseeing any thing good, either for themselves or others

Micah 3:8

Called and inspired by the Spirit of God, I, regardless of all your opposition, faithfully and boldly charge you with your sins, and warn you of approaching judgments

Micah 3:10-12

Since ye repair the temple and palace, and the houses or walls of Jerusalem, with the money which ye have procured by taking away the lives of the innocent, and then seizing on their estates; and that obtained by bribery: and since, notwithstanding the basest dishonesty in your respective stations, ye expect prosperity, because of the Lord’s temple among you, and other external privileges; therefore shall your temple and holy city, for your wickedness, be by the Chaldeans, and especially the Romans, turned into heaps of rubbish, and an absolute desert

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. III.—Dreadful is the case of nations and churches when they who ought to be chief promoters of religion and virtue become ringleaders in impiety. And they, who oppress or seduce others, infallibly prepare for themselves misery, contempt, and perplexity. Ministers have great need of 10 F a clear call, and remarkable qualifications, to render them duly faithful and bold, in opposition to universally rampant corruptions. Nor must they respect even the greatest, but in God’s name rebuke with all authority. No pretences of piety can consecrate wicked conduct; but often that which is good is rendered profane by the carnality of its principle, manner, and end. And, alas, often the sins of rulers hasten ruin upon both churches and nations!