Thence it is that these calumniations and false accusations are raised up against the §2faithful servants of God at this day: thence is it also that such doubtful and curious questions are propounded unto them, even as nets and snares to put the innocent in hazard §3of their lives, or else to plunge them into some imminent danger. And we see that the Scribes and Pharisees did the like even to Jesus Christ himself, Math. 21.23. and 22.17. John 8.6. The last member of the verse which is added by way of exposition, shows, that this is not to be understood of slanders and other cunning devises in general, by which the subtle are wont to entrap the simple: for the Prophet rather more plainly condemns the wicked conspiracies by which the unbelievers endeavour to exempt themselves from all reprehensions and censures. Now in regard that their assemblies were kept openly for giving sentence in judgement, and that the gates were always replenished with people, the Prophets took opportunity from thence to reprove all sorts, so as they spared not the Judges themselves. For the matters of life and death at that time were in the hands of such wicked and godless wretches, that it was needful to rebuke them very sharply. But in stead of making any good use of these admonitions to come to amendment of life, they became so much the worse, and raged against the Prophets, and laid snares to catch them, for as Amos saith, They hated him that reproved in the gate, and abhorred him that spake uprightly, Amos 5.10.
Thence it is that these calumniations and false accusations are raised vp against the §2faithfull seruants of God at this day: thence is it also that such doubtfull and curious questions are propounded vnto them, euen as nets and snares to put the innocent in hazard §3of their liues, or else to plunge them into some imminent danger. And we see that the Scribes and Pharises did the like euen to Iesus Christ himselfe, Math. 21.23. and 22.17. Iohn 8.6. The last member of the verse which is added by way of exposition, shewes, that this is not to be vnderstood of slanders and other cunning deuises in generall, by which the subtle are wont to intrap the simple: for the Prophet rather more plainly condemnes the wicked conspiracies by which the vnbeleeuers indeuor to exempt themselues from all reprehensions and censures. Now in regard that their assemblies were kept openlie for giuing sentence in iudgement, and that the gates were alwaies replenished with people, the Prophets tooke opportunitie from thence to reproue all sorts, so as they spared not the Iudges themselues. For the matters of life and death at that time were in the hands of such wicked and godles wretches, that it was needfull to rebuke them very sharplie. But in stead of making any good vse of these admonitions to come to amendment of life, they became so much the worse, and raged against the Prophets, and laid snares to catch them, for as Amos saith, They hated him that reproued in the gate, and abhorred him that spake vprightlie, Amos 5.10.
