John Trapp on Zephaniah 1:11

Verſe 11. Howl ye inhabitants of Makteſh] Or, of the mortar, or of the low and hollow place, of the baſe-town, where corn was brayed in mortars, before Mills were in uſe. Theſe are here called upon to turn their laughter to mourning, and their joy into heavineſſe, to weep and howl for the evils that ſhall come upon them, Jam. 4.9. and 5.1. but eſpecially for their ſinnes, the cauſe of thoſe miſeries: for Gods judgements upon ſinners are feathered from themſelves: as a fowl ſhot with an arrow feathered from her own body.

for all the merchant-people are cut down] The merchant-men were wont to furniſh the mortar-men, ſuch as dealt in corn, ſpicery, and the like. Theſe ſhall be cut down, as being more like Canaanites (a people devoted to deſtruction) then Iſraelites, a people ſaved by the Lord, the ſhield of their help, and the ſword of their excellency. Deut. 33.29.Vide Garol. Paſchalij legat. cap. 7. p. 24. See Hoſ. 12.8. with the Note. He is a merchant, the ballances of deceit are in his hand, he loveth to oppreſſe. See Amos 8, 5, 6. Mic. 6.10, 11, 12. Merchandiſe well managed, is of great uſe to Kingdoms and States, for many reaſons. 1. For deſcrying the counſels and ſtrength of other Nations. 2. For procuring the love and friendſhip of forreine Princes and people. 3. for exchanging of commodities: for non omnis fert omnia tellus. 4. for gaining experience of many and great matters: this cauſed Thales, Hippocrates, and Solon to exerciſe merchandiſe. 5. It occaſioned the building of many famous cities. Maſſilia for one, as Plutarch writeth. Nevertheleſſe this honourable profeſſion is much abuſed by thoſe whom Nahum calleth cankerworms chap. 3.16. for their covetouſnes luxury, oppreſſion, bringing in unneceſſary wares (that emaſculate and diſſolve mens ſpirits) and hereticall books that undoe their ſoules; and laſtly for their carrying out the wealth of their country to ſtrangers, yea to enemies ſometimes. Hence they are juſtly cut down by God, and are to be ordered by the Magiſtrate according to Lev. 19.35, 36. Deut. 25. Ezek. 45.9, 10, 11, 12.

all they that bear ſilver are cut off] The rich traders that had marſupia plena, and carried money in great burthens, theſe ſhall be alſo cut off or ſilenced, have nothing to ſay for themſelves why they ſhould not be deſtroyed with the reſt, as thoſe that have been involuti argento as the vulgar tranſlation hath it here, ſo wrapped up in their money, and affected to it, as that it hath rather poſſeſſed them, then they it. Cor habent in aere non in athere, their heart goeth after their covetouſneſſe Ezek. 33.31. Here they are called Portatores argenti ſilver-carriers, ſumpter-horſes, laden with thick clay. Silver is that which the baſeſt element yeeldeth, the moſt ſavage Indians get, ſervile apprentiſes work, Midianitiſh Camels carry, miſerable muck-worms admire, covetous Jewes ſwallow, unthriſty Ruffians ſpend &c. It is to be wondred (ſaith One) that treading upon theſe minerals, we cannot contemn them. They lye furtheſt from heaven: and the beſt of them are in India furtheſt from the Church: and yet how many doth mony make to run quick to the devill on an errand, and payes them home for their paines?