Wesley Corpus

They all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.” (lvi. 10, 11.) Little better were those of whom the Prophets that followed have left us so dreadful an account: “Both Prophet and Priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord. And from the Prophets of Jeru salem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.” (Jer. xxiii. 11, 15) “Her Priests have violated my law, and have pro faned my holy things: They have put no difference between the holy and the profane, and I am profaned among them.” (Ezekiel xxii. 26.) “If I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of Hosts unto you, O Priests, that despise my name!” (Malachii. 6) Yea, some of them were fallen into the grossest sins: “The company of Priests,” saith Hosea, “commit lewdness: There is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.” (vi. 9, 10.) “I have seen also in the Prophets of Jerusalem,” saith God by Jeremiah, “an horrible thing: They commit adultery, and walk in lies.” (xxiii. 14.) 18. And those who were clear of this, were deeply covetous; “Who is there among you that would shut the doors for nought? Neither do ye kindle fire on my altar for nought. have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of Hosts.” (Malachi i. 10.) “The Priests of Zion teach for hire, and the Prophets thereof divine for money. Yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us?” (Micah iii. 11.) “Thus saith the Lord, The Prophets bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.” (iii. 5.) Therefore, “the word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel, saying, Prophesy against the shep herds of Israel, and say, Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool; but ye feed not the flock.