John Trapp on Micah 1:5

Verſe 5. For the tranſgreſſion of Iacob is all this,] Leſt they ſhould think, either that theſe things were threatned in terrorem onely, and would never be inflicted: or elſe that they had not deſerved ſuch ſeverity, but that God ſhould pour out his wrath rather upon the Heathen that knew him not, and upon the families that called not on his name. The Prophet here ſheweth that Jacob was become a juſt object of Gods indignation, by his tranſgreſſions or rebellions, and the whole houſe of Iſrael by their ſinnes: there was a generall defection, and therefore they muſt expect a generall deſtruction. I or why? the juſt Lord is in the middeſt thereof: he will not do iniquity, he will not acquit the guilty: morning by morning doth he bring his judgements to light, he faileth not: but the unjust knoweth no ſhame, will take no warning, which is a juſt both preſage and deſert of his ruine.

What is the tranſgreſſion of Iacob?] ſay they in a chatting way; like theſe miſcreants in Malachy, that ſo worded it with God, chap. 1. and 3.

Is it not Samaria?] ſaith the Prophet, in anſwer to that daring demand of theirs. So, what are the high-places of Iudah?] viz. the ſuperſtitions and carnall confidences thereof? Is it not Jeruſalem? ſaith the Prophet. Are not their capitall cities become their capitall ſinnes? Read we not of the calf of Samaria, Hoſ. 8.5. and did not her kings ſet up idols at Dan and Bethel, and Gilgal. and Beerſheba? As for Jeruſalem, had ſhe not turned the very Temple into an high-place, by reſting in her ceremoniall ſervices, and ſacrifices? Did not ſome of her beſt kings wink at the high-places? And Ahaz, that ſtigmaticall Beli[illegible: 1 letter]liſt, ſhut up Gods Temple, and ſet up ſtrange worſhips? How then could theſe frontleſſe fellowes ask, What is the tranſgreſſion, &c? and What are the high-places &c? The Prophet goes not behind the door to tell them, that the beſt of them were no better then a rabble of rebels againſt heaven: and their chieftains were moſt in fault, though they leaſt liked to hear of it. Samaria is a very Poneropolis, and Jeruſalem is little better: they both are even transformed into ſinnes image: the Prophet here ſpeakes of them, as if they were not onely ſinfull, but ſin it ſelf; as Tully ſaith of one Tubulus a Roman Preter, that he was ſo deſperately wicked,Haraporcorum, vel colluvies rabidorum canum. Aug. ut ejus nomen non hominis ſed vitij eſſe videre[illegible: 2 letters]r; that he paſſed not for a man, but for a Vice, ſo flagitious were his practiſes: or as Auſtin ſaith of this preſent evil world, That it is nothing elſe but a ſtie of filthy hogs, or a kennell of mad dogs.