John Trapp on Amos 3:4

Verſe 4. Will a lion roar in the forreſt, when, &c.] It is ſaid of the Lion, that he ſets up a double roar:P[illegible: 1 letter]ut. lib. de induſt. anima. firſt, when he deſcrieth his prey, next when he ſeizeth it, Then, ſaith Plutarch, he roareth, or rather belloweth like a bull, that other beaſts may come to him, and take part with him. It is not for nothing that the lion uttereth his voice: much leſſe that Almighty God thundereth, and threatneth by his Prophets, your ſins without repentance will be your ruine, according to thoſe threatnings: though you are ſo ſturdy, or at leaſt ſo ſtupid, as to fear them no more, then Behemoth doth the iron weapons,Jeb 40. which are eſteemed by him as ſtrawes, or bull-ruſhes. Shall the wrath of a King be as the roaring of a lion, Prov. 19.12. and as the meſſengers of death, Prov. 16.14. and ſhall Gods menaces be ſlighted? will vile men imagine him a God of clouts? One that howſoever he ſpeaketh heavie words, will not do as he ſaith? intends them no otherwiſe, then in terrorem, for fray-bugs? Surely they will finde it far otherwiſe: and it muſt be concluded, that being already ſentenced, either their beds are very ſoft, or their hearts very hard, that can ſleep ſecurely in ſo deplorable a condition: Surely Gods predictions ſhall have their accompliſhment, 1 Sam. 3.19. & 15.29. Beleeve them therefore: Stand in awe and ſin not, ſith he that deſpiſeth the word, ſhall be deſtroyed: but hee that feareth the commandement, ſhall be rewarded, Prov. 13.13. See the Note there.

Will a youg lion cry out of his den?] q. d. Is it for nothing that God ſo terribly threatneth? Is there not a cauſe? as David ſaid in another caſe, 1 Sam. 17.29. Surely, as in the Revelation we never read that heaven opened, but ſome great matter followed: ſo here; Hath the Lord ſpoken it, and ſhall he not do it? Never think it. Oh think of God as of one not to be thought of: as One, whoſe wiſdom is his juſtice, whoſe juſtice is his power, whoſe power is his Truth, and all himſelf. He is the God of Amen, Pſal. 31.6. faithfull, and true: he can as ſoon die as lie: neither can he be hindered or reſiſted, as Angels, men, and devils may. In the creature there is an eſſence, and a faculty, whereby they work: as in fire is the ſubſtance and the quality of heat. Now between theſe, God can ſeparate, and ſo hinder their working; as in the Babyloniſh fire. In the Angels there is an eſſence, and an executive power: God comes between theſe oft, and hinders them from doing what they would. Not ſo in God; who is moſt ſimple, and entire, armed with power irreſiſtible to tame his rebels: Every morning doth he bring his judgement to light, he faileth not: but the unjuſt knoweth no ſhame, Zeph. 3.5. the fool paſſeth on and is puniſhed, Prov. 22.3.