Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy

Use III. Here is a mark to distinguish the people of God from hypocritical Professors: when God tells us plainly of our sins, and speaks of his wrath, 'tis indeed a burden to all; but how? why, the wicked endeavour to throw it off themselves, and cast it upon Gods Ministers, and violently to pull their shoulder from under it; but the people of God sit down under it, and bear it patiently, yea take up a new burden of sorrow for the sin which hath procured it, Lam. 3. 27, 28, 39.

Use IV. Learn hence what use to make of the threatening of Gods Judgements, and Reproofs of your sins, if it be a burden to hear of them, what then will it be to bear them? if you cannot endure to sit quietly whiles you are told of them, how will you endure when God shall do according to the word of his Messengers? Let such thoughts as these move you to prepare your selves, this use God would have these burdens attain, Amos 4. 13.

Use IV. Learn hence what use to make of the threatning of Gods Judgements, and Reproofs of your sins, if it be a burden to hear of them, what then will it be to bear them? if you cannot endure to sit quietly whiles you are told of them, how will you endure when God shall do according to the word of his Messengers? Let such thoughts as these move you to prepare your selves, this use God would have these burdens attain, Amos 4. 13.

Of Dumah] i.e. Of the Land of Idumea, the place of the posterity of Esau, called Edom: these were, though of the posterity of Abraham and Isaac, yet a Nation rejected by God, and become an Heathen Nation; and yet God tells them aforehand what he intends against them, and condescends to give them a Warning to Repentance. Hence