\\INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 6\\

This chapter gives an account of some who were truly penitent, and
stirred up one another to return to the Lord, encouraged by his power,
grace, and goodness, \\#Ho 6:1-3\\; and of others, who had only a form of
religion, were very unstable in it; regarded more the ceremonial law,
and the external sacrifices of it, than the moral law; either that part
of it which respects the love of the neighbour, or that which concerns
the knowledge of God; and dealt treacherously with the Lord,
transgressing the covenant, \\#Ho 6:4-7\\; particularly the city of Gilead
is represented as full of the workers of iniquity, and is charged with
bloodshed, \\#Ho 6:8\\; yea, even the priests were guilty of murder and
lewdness, \\#Ho 6:9\\; and Israel, or the ten tribes in general, are
accused of whoredom, both corporeal and spiritual, with which they were
defiled, \\#Ho 6:10\\; nor was Judah clear of these crimes, and therefore a
reckoning day is set for them, \\#Ho 6:11\\.