The calling of the Ievves A present to Iudah and the children of Israel that ioyned with him, and to Ioseph (the valiant tribe of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel that ioyned with him. The Lord giue them grace, that they may returne and seeke Iehovah their God, and Dauid their King, in these latter dayes. There is prefixed an epistle vnto them, written for their sake in the Hebrue tongue, and translated into English. Published by William Gouge, B. of D. and preacher of Gods word in Blackefryers. London.

The Prophecie of Hoshea.

Chapters. 1. 2.

CHAP. 1.

1. The Word of Iehouah that came vnto Hoshea the sonne of Beery in the dayes of Vzziah, Iotham, Achaz, Hezechiah, Kings of Iuda: and in the dayes of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash, King of Israel.

1. THe Title or Inscription setteth forth the Author of the Prophecie, God: the Prea∣cher or publisher thereof, Hoshea: the time that he executed his Propheticall function, 43. yeares at the least: for so many there are from the very last yeare of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash, to the first yeare of Hezechias, to bee reckoned in this sort. The last yeare of Ieroboam was the 39. of Uzzia or Aza∣ria; Uzzia or Azaria raigned 13. yeares more (52. in all) Iotham (after him) 25. Achaz (Hezechiahs father) 14.

The knowledge of the time helpeth much, and bringeth a great light to the vnderstanding of the Prophecie, because of the many accidents that fell within that compasse in the Kingdome of Israel to the Kings thereof, of whom he ma∣keth often mention, and liued himselfe to see most of the things that heere he prophecieth, and so was able the bet∣ter to make vse of it vnto the people; vnder that one of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash (when our Prophet first began)

all the Kings of Israel are comprehended in this place, as many as raigned from him to Hezechiah.

The authority of this Prophet cannot be called in que∣stion: He is cited by our Sauiour Christ, Math. 9 13. & 12. 7. by the Euangelist writing by Gods Spirit; Math. 2. 15. and lastly, by the Apostle Paul, 1. Cor. 15. 55. & Rom. 25. 26. where he voucheth him by name.

2. The beginning of that which Iehouah spake by Hoshea: And Iehouah said vnto Hoshea; Goe take vnto thee a a 1.1 Wife, an Harlot, and children begot in fornication; for the Land hath greatly gone a whoring b 1.2, departing from Iehouah.

3. So he went and tooke Gomer, a c 1.3 woman of Diblaim: who conceiued and bare him a sonne.

4. Then said Iehouah vnto him, call his name Izreel: for yet a little while and I will visite the d 1.4 slaughters of Izreel vpon the house of Iehu, and will make the Kingdome to cease in the house of Israel.

5. And it shall be in that day: that I will breake the bow of Israel, because of the valley of Izreel.

2. The summe of the Prophecie, is a fearefull denoun∣cing of Gods iudgements against the people for their sinnes, & a sweet publishing of mercies to a small remnant, the little handfull of Gods Elect, it is all typicall or decla∣ratiue of the Type.

The typicall part, which hath also an application going with it) in the three first Chapters, vnder two types; where∣of the first (in the first and second Chapter) is of a Wife, an Harlot, and Children begot in fornication; whom the Prophet is willed to take, not as though hee should take the mother and them together (which could not bee, they being borne after) but because from a wicked and vncleane mother, hee was to haue base and misbe∣gotten Issue.

Whether the Prophet in truth tooke such a wife, which God commanding, cannot be dishonest; or as rather must

be thought by way of similitude only and comparing him∣selfe with a man marrying in that sort, to taxe the peoples infidelity and falling away from God by spirituall adultery with their false Gods and Idols.

This Wife, an Harlot figureth the Kingdome of the Is∣raelites that went a whoring from God, their lawfull Hus∣band, to whom they were espoused.

3. Shee is called Gomer, that is to say, entierty or per∣fection; for that the whole body of Israel was vouchsafed the honour of this spirituall marriage.

Shee is said to be a woman of Diblaim, or out of Diblah, that wast and huge wildernesse which you reade of, Ezech. 6. 24. to shew that, not their merit, but Gods free and gracious goodnesse aduanced them to that estate and dig∣nitie.

The three Children begot in fornication, figure the iudgements which by so many degrees were to light vpon this people, euery one heauier than the other.

4. The first Child is a son, whose name was Izreel, by the name of the ten Tribes Mother-Citie: figuring the ruine of Iehues house, and of the Kings of Israel in his line, which is set forth.

First, by the circumstance of time, that it should come quickly to passe: for Zachariah, Ieroboams sonne, raigned but 6. moneths; then Shallum the sonne of Iabesh conspired against him, slue him, and raigned in his stead.

Secondly, by the effects, that from that time forward God will weaken the force of the whole State and King∣dome, by home dissentions and forraigne warres.

Thirdly, by the cause of this iudgement, because saith he, of the valley of Izreel, that is, the slaughters and massacres which Iehu made there; which, albeit God had comman∣ded and was well pleased with, yet for that hee did it not with an vpright heart, God iustly punished it in his po∣steritie.

6. Afterwards she conceiued againe and bare a Daughter,

and Iehouah said vnto him, call her name Loruhamab: for I a 1.5 will no more haue mercy vpon the house of Israel, that I should any way forgiue them.

7. But on the house of Iuda I will haue mercy, and will saue them by Iehouah their God: and will not saue them by bowe, nor by sword, nor by battaile, by horses, nor by horsemen.

6. The second Child is a Daughter, named Loruhamab, that is not obtaining mercy, it figureth the vtter desolation of the tenne Tribes, begun by Tiglah Pileser, King of Ashur, when he carried away captiue the Reubenites, Gadites, & halfe tribe of Manasse. 1. Chron. 5. 26. and perfited by Sal∣manaser, who vtterly ouerthrew the residue of the King∣dome of Israel, 1. King. 17.

This age is compared to a Daughter, because from that time forward, after the bow of Israel, that is, all their po∣wer and strength so broken, they should bee no more able to defend themselues, than if they were a common-wealth of women. Their misery in this behalfe you haue aggraua∣ted two wayes.

First, that it shall be without hope of restitution. God will not haue mercy on them to pardon their sinnes and gra∣ciously to restore them after they are once carried Cap∣tiues.

7. Secondly, by Gods contrary dealing with the house of Iuda, whom the Aramites, and they confederating to∣gether did most maliciously seeke to ruine.

These he saith he, will saue for his mercies sake, & shew∣eth how and by whom; by Iesus Christ true God and true man, the ground and foundation of the Couenant, and of all Gods promises, whom in the fulnesse of time God would send among them: not by their owne forces, nor by any forraine helpes. The meaning is, the Tribe of Iuda, not∣withstanding their captiuity in Babylon, from the which he will set them free, shall continue a Tribe still, and cer∣taine some principality, and forme of Gouernment till Shi∣loh

(which is his sonne) doe come and that the Gentiles beleeue in him.

8. Now when she had weined Loruhamah: Shee conceiued and bare a soune.

9. Then said Iehouah, call his name Loammi: for yee are not my people neither will I be yours.

10. Yet the number of the Children of Israell shall be as the sand of the sea which cannot be measured, nor tould: and instead of that it was said vnto them, yee are not my people, it shall bee said vnto them, yee are the sonnes of the liuing God Al∣mighty.

11. When the Children of Iuda and the Children of Israel, gathering themselues together and setting ouer them one head, shall come vp out of the Land: for great shall the day of Izreel bee.

8. The third Childe which she bare after the weaning of the former, that is to say, after that the patience of God had long expected for their conuersion, and found no a∣mendment, but a desperate going on in sinne, is a sonne.

9. Loammi, not my people, figuring the finall reiection and casting off of the whole Nation of the Iewes for refu∣sing * 1.6 the Lord of life, (whom the Father sent to saue them) that they should bee no longer his Church and people.

10. But the sharpnesse of this sentence, the Prophet, by way of correction of his speech doth qualifie and remper with most heauenly comforts, the sweete promises of the Ghospell: for,

First, howsoeuer the whole Nation of the Iewes is thus to bee abandoned, yet at the last a Church shall bee gathered * 1.7 of them through grace, and that no small multitude, but a number numberlesse; when looking with sorrow and true repentance vpō him whom they haue thrust through: they shall be made not his people only, but the sonnes of the liuing God.

Secondly, the Gentiles shall together with them em∣brace the Gospell; for so is this place expounded: Rom. 9. * 1.8 24. 25. and 1. Pet. 2. 10. yet of necessity the calling of the Gentiles heere pointed at, must be entended that which is after the Iewes conuersion; but that serueth well to war∣rant the first inceptions of their calling: to which purpose the Apostles doe there apply it.

Thirdly, the tenne Tribes as well as Iudah shall bee vouchsafed this honour, to bee called to the participation * 1.9 of Christ.

Fourthly, the vnion of them into one body and one Re∣ligion; * 1.10 for they shall all submit to one head Christ, and make but one Kingdome.

Fiftly, their returne vnto Ierusalem againe comming out * 1.11 of the Countries whether they were dispersed: there to re-edifie and set vp his spirituall worship and seruice.

Sixtly, the greatnesse of this worke: for great, saith hee, shall the day of Izreel bee; great, in regard of their great distresse, the sorest time of affliction that euer was; great, in regard of their great deliuery, farre to be preferred be∣fore their deliuerance out of Aegypt; great, in regard of the great destruction of their great enemie that shall fall before them. Lastly, (which it seemeth the Prophet heere doth specially respect) great in regard of the great and * 1.12 maruellous encrease of the Church, the plentifull seede which God will sow in the same (as Esay did also prophecie, Esay 49. 50. 51. &c. multiplying them with men as it were with flocks of sheepe, Ezech. 36. 38. Ier. 31. 37. which is the number numberlesse, whereof he spake in the former verse.

Seauenthly, heerevpon a new name is giuen to this peo∣ple to be called Izreel, or the seede of Gods owne sowing: And so by a Paranomasia or allusion of speech, hee doth elegantly open another, and a more sweet etymologie of that name which before serued for the threatning of Iudgement, heere it is vsed to note the promises of grace from God, as it is Chapter. 2. 16. which place doth answer vnto this, and openeth the meaning of it.

The receiued opinion is, that the second Child Loruha∣mah figureth the captiuity of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, & the third child Loammi, the capti∣uity of the rest of the ten Tribes: But that cānot stand: for,

First, in the second Childe hee expressly nameth the whole house of Israel, vers. 6.

Secondly, he opposeth them to the house of Iuda, vers. 7. not to the residue of those tribes of Israel.

Thirdly, the iudgement threatned in the third Childe, is after Iehouah Christ his comming into the world, by whom Iuda should bee saued; whilst the other remained Captiues, vers. 7. Therefore the captiuity of the ten tribes must go before the third Childe borne.

Fourthly, the reiection (spoken of in the third Childe) doth properly and aptly concerne the Iewes that were at Christs comming, not those led away by Salmanazar.

Fiftly, the promise of restoring Iuda no lesse than Israel sheweth that they had their part in the former threatnings.

Sixtly, the mother of these Children is called Gomer, that is to say, entiertie or perfection, vers. 3. The very name teaching vs that the type extendeth as well to the tribe of Iuda as to the other tribes. And therefore they must needs bee meant by the third Childe, and Consequently all Israel by the second: vpon this one thing well obserued depen∣deth (in a manner) the true vnderstanding of the whole Prophesie; for hereby is euident that the three first Chap∣ters, and consequently the last foure, which in effect are but an explanation of the promises in the former, are to be referred to the Kingdome of Christ to be set vp among the Iewes in the last dayes which we expect, & is yet to come.

CHAP. 2.

1. Say vnto your brethren, O my people, and to your sisters, O thou that hast obtained mercy.

2. Plead with your Mother, plead, how she is not my wife, neihther am I her husband: That she put away her fornications out of her sight, and her adulteries from betweene her breasts.

3. Lest I strippe her naked, and set her as the day shee was borne; and disposing her as in a wildernesse, and setting her as in a drie land, doe make her dye for thirst.

4. And shew no mercy to her Children, for they bee children a 1.13 be got infornication.

Hitherto of the Type: The Application standeth of three parts; euery one expressing more clearely than other, the Peoples Apostasie, and falling away from God: the miserable condition which this Apostasie should bring vp∣pon them, and the gracious promise of restoring them a∣gaine. All which things were so handled in the three last verses of the former Chapter.

First, therefore is an exhortation to true repentance; for feare of Gods iudgements, vttered by an Apostrophe, or turning of the speech to the poore remnant of Gods elect, * 1.14 whereby is giuen to vnderstand, that there shall still re∣maine a holy seede in the middest of this dereliction, whom the Prophet heere inuiteth to a most religious and holy duty.

That by wholsome admonitions they would stay and hold vp their declined Synagogue from vtter falling away, O you my people of either sort, not of the tribe of Iuda on∣ly, but euen of the other tribes; for to them also the pro∣mise doth belong, Ier. 37. &c. Ezech. 37. 16. &c. and else∣where) as many of you as shall obtaine grace to escape out of the slauery of sinne and Sathan, into the glorious liber∣tie of the sonnes of God, stirre vp one another by holy exhortation.

2. And all of you together stay and hold vp the decli∣ned Synagogue and Church of Israel; By reprouing her for her sinnes, those spirituall whoredomes that haue bro∣ken the marriage bond betweene God and her.

3. And by threatning betimes, before her fall and finall desolation come, the Iudgements of God, both vpon her selfe, by an vtter depriuing her of all his guifts and graces, (which in the Scriptures are compared with waters, and

the lacke of them with the drie and barren desert.)

And vpon her Children the particular members of that Synagogue, who loue and liue in the adulteries of their mother.

With some hope neuerthelesse of grace and of forgiue∣nesse, if shee returne and seeke the Lord, as by the word least is secretly giuen to vnderstand.

5. For their mother hath plaid the harlot, shee that concei∣ued them hath dealt shamefully: for shee said, I will goe after my Louers, that giue me my bread and my waters, my wool and my flaxe, my oyle and my drinkings.

6. Therefore, behold, I will hedge thy way with thornes, and a 1.15 reare a wall that she shall not finde her pathes.

7. And though shee follow after he Louers, yet shall shee not come at them, though she seeke them, yet shall shee not finde them: that at the length shee shall say, I will goe and returne, to that my former husband, for then was it better with mee, then now.

8. For she knoweth not that I gaue vnto her, the corne and the new wine and the oyle: also that I multiplied vnto her siluer and gold wherewith they made Baal.

9. Therefore will I returne and take away my corne in the time thereof: and will deliuer my wooll and my flaxe, a 1.16 which should haue couered her nakednesse.

10. That I may vncouer her leudnesse in the sight of her louers: and no man shall deliuer her out of my hand.

11. And I will cause all her mirth to cease, her festiuall, her new moone, her Sabboth: and all her solemnitie.

12. And I will lay waste her vines and her figtrees: where∣of she hath said: These are my rewards that my Louers haue gi∣uen me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eate them.

13. So will I visite vpon her the dayes of Baalim, wherein she burnt incense to them, and decking her selfewith her earing and her iewel, went after her Louers: but forgat mee, the speech of Iehouah.

5. In the second part, you haue a declaration of their sin & of the miseries inflicted for the same, which are the reason why God so calleth vpō his people, to vse this exhortation.

The sinne is expressed to be her going a whoring impu∣dently and shamelesly after strange Gods and People, con∣trarie to the dutie of a Wife. Not onely so, but a wicked setling of her selfe to the like sinnes heereafter, all mixed with extreame ingratitude; in that shee ascribed vnto these strange ones the thankes of all shee did possesse.

6. Then come the miseries inflicted for the same, where∣in Gods purpose was to keepe her by crosses and afflictions (as vnruly beasts by walles and fenses are kept within their pastures) from being able to fulfill her desire of commit∣ting fornication with them.

7. Though neuer so much she hunt and follow after it, that by this meanes breaking her obstinate and froward heart, she may come vnto repentance, and betake her selfe to God her lawfull husband, whom to her losse she had for∣saken.

8. And the better to imprint these things in their mind he repeateth both the sinne, their idolatry and blinde ingratitude, that not only would not know the hand from whence so many and so great blessings came, but to the dishonour of God bestowed them vpon Idols.

And the miserable condition which this should bring vpon them: for, * 1.17

9. Stripping them of all the comforts and commodi∣of this life, and freeing his creatures out of the possessi∣on of those vniustowners, who so wretchedly abused them to a wrong and contrary end then God hath giuen them: for,

10. Hee will expose them to publike shame and in∣famie.

11. Secondly all outward forme of Gods worship, (the solace, and ioy of their life shall be taken from them.

12. Thirdly, the Countrey they tooke such pleasure in, not looking vp to God that gaue it, their fruitfull and plea∣sant

Gardens, Orchards, and Vineyards, shall be turned in∣to a wildernes.

All which things we see haue fallen more heaully vpon this people, than euer they did vpon any nation.

13. Idolatrie (wherevnto he resorteth to shew how iust the sentence is,) the cause of all this, which shee so diated on, thinking no paine too much, all cost too little, to com∣passe her desires, and followed it so hard making a trade of it, that transported with blinde loue, shee forgat her law∣band.

By this of Idols, which hee mentioneth according to the state of those times, is meant, the worship of false Gods whatsoeuer, as all worship is that looketh not to God in Christ.

14. Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the Wildernesse, and will speake to her heart.

15. And I will giue her her Uineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor, for the doore of hope: that shee shall sing there as in the dayes of her youth, that is, as in the day when she came out of the Land of Aegypt.

14. The third part of the Chapter hath a promise of the Iewes restoring, vttered Allegorically by an elegant allusi∣on to the whole manner and course that it pleased God to vse for the bringing of that people into the Land of Cana∣an when they came out of Aegypt.

First, the power of his spirit mouing her as hee sent Mo∣ses, and Aaron to inuite them whilst they were slaues in Egypt.

Secondly, the sore distresse she shall be in, vpon making * 1.18 head to repaire to her owne home, As the Israelites were when God led them into the wildernesse, and there made them to wander so vp and downe, see Ezech. 20 35. 36.

Thirdly, the promises of God vpholding her the whilst, as his word and the Symbole of his presence strengthend the Israelites in their toylesome iourneyes.

15. Fourthly, the bringing of her into her owne coun∣try againe, freed and deliuered out of that desert, those trou∣bles * 1.19 and calamities which he spake of the sorest time of af∣fliction, (as Daniel prophesieth, Dan. 12. 1.) that euer was since there was a nation vnto that day: This the Prophet setteth before their eyes, by pointing at the ports and gates whereby this people, hauing wandered first a long time in the wildernesse, were brought from the desert beyond Ior∣dan vnto the hither side: for the first doore and entrance as it were into the Land of promise which they so hoped and wished for, after they were once passed Iordan, was the valley of Achor, famous for the story of Achan stoned there.

Fiftly, faith, hope, and spirituall blessings, a pledge and earnest pennie of the promised inheritance: as the first * 1.20 footing ouer Iordan and the fruitfulnesse of those soyles, lifted vp their hearts with a certaine expectation of a tho∣row possessing of the whole countrey.

Sixtly, the ioy of the Church restored to her ancient seates, as both men and women, Miriam and the maidens song when they came out of Aegypt.

And so hee lifteth vp their hearts to the waiting for of another, and a more famous deliuerance, when as in the yeare of Iubile, they shall not onely returne to their posses∣sions againe, but haue the same accompanied in their na∣tiue soyle with spirtuall freedome from sinne and Sathan, and with such noble graces, and first fruits of the spirit.

16. And it shall bee in that day the speech of Iehouah, that thou shalt call mee my Husband, and shalt call mee no more * 1.21 my Baal.

17. For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth: yea, they shall be no more remembred by their name.

18. And in that day will I make a couenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the foule of the heauen, and with that which creepeth vpon the earth, and breaking the bow and

the sword, and the battell out of the Land, I will make them to lye downe in safety.

19. And I will espouse thee vnto me for euer: I will, I say, espouse thee vnto me in righteousnesse, and in iudgement, in kind∣nesse and in mercy.

20. And will espouse thee into mee in faith, that thou maist know Iehouah.

21. It shall bee also in that day, that I will heare the speech of Iehouah, I will heare the heauens, and they shall heare the earth.

22. And the earth shall heare the Corne, and the new wine, and the oyle; and they shall heare Izreel.

23. For I will sow her for me in the Land, and I will haue mercy vpon Loruhamah: and will say vnto Loammi, thou art my people, and he shall say, my God.

16. In the fourth part of the Chapter are Euangelicall promises made vnto the Iewes being restored and brought home.

First, her receiuing of Christ: acknowledging him * 1.22 for her iust and lawfull Husband, and calling him by that name.

17. Secondly, Reformation of the Church from all * 1.23 corruption in Gods seruice, noted by that one of rooting our Idolatry.

18. Thirdly, the Churches safety through God speciall * 1.24 care and protection, making the verie beasts of the field and all things, to be at peace with them.

19. Fourthly, hee will communicate vnto them all good both the fountaine of good, and the streames flow∣ing from it.

The fountaine is the betrothing vnto Christ, that is, their spirituall coniunction with him, which the Apostle calleth a taking of them to. Rom. 11. 15. enlarged.

First, by the constancie and eternitie of it. * 1.25

Secondly, by the fundamentall cause, the righteousnesse and mercy of God, to whom in my iudgement these words

are to be referred: As Rom. 3. 24, 25, 26. 1. Pet. 1. 1. 1. Ioh. 1. 9. But if you list to vnderstand them otherwise then is this spirituall coniunction with Christ heere secondly enlarged by the guifts and graces going there withall, and which hee will bestow vpon them, which are of two sorts.

First, righteousnesse and iudgement, then kindnesse and mercy; one noting the sincerity and integritie of their wayes: the other, their prompt and cheerfull performance of all brotherly duties. But the former sence agreeth better.

20. Thirdly, by the instrument or means of apprehending all this, and making it their owne; euen faith which is the * 1.26 true and sauing knowledge of God.

21. The streames flowing from this fountaine of our coniunction with God, are all manner of blessings.

First, temporall, in the fruitfulnesse of their Land: all the creatures in heauen and in earth conspiring as it were * 1.27 together, and in their kinde desiring it at his hands.

22. God will furnish aboundantly for the Churches good the remnant of that Izreel, whereof hee spake before Chapter 1. 2. which are her Children of the seed of Iaacob, begotten through faith in Christ.

22. Secondly, Gods couenant with the whole Church, the naturall mother of the true Israel & with her children, whō * 1.28 before hee said, hee would haue no pitty of; nor they should be none of his: But now hee promiseth to except those remnant, the true griffes, and Plants wherewith he wil sow his Church.

And so haue you admirably set forth the beauty of the holy Citie, new Ierusalem, comming down from God out of Heauen, furnished as a Bride trimmed for her husband, Reu. Chapt. 21. 23. that is of the Church of the Iewes when they shall embrace Christ.

CHAP. 3.

1. Afterwards Iehouah said vnto mee, yet goe, loue a wo∣man beloued of a friend, and playing the adultresse: Such as is Iehouahs loue toward the Children of Israel, and they looke to other Gods, and loue flaggons of a 1.29 wine.

2. So I bought her me for fifteene shekels of siluer; and for an homer and a halfe of Barley.

3. And I said vnto her, many dayes shalt thou abide for mee, play not the harlot, nor bee another mans: likewise will I for thee.

4. For many dayes shall the children of Israel abide with∣out a King, and without a Prince, and without sacrifice, and without a statue, and without an Ephod, and without Images.

5. Afterwards shall the children of Israel returne, and seeke Iehouah their God, and Dauid their King: and b 1.30 fearefully shall come to Iehouah and his goodnesse in the last dayes.

1. The second Type not much vnlike former, toge∣ther with the declaration of the Type, are both in this Chapter.

For the Type hee taketh a woman espoused, and to bee married, but long put off for her adulteries.

As God hath loued and betrothed the Israelites, but for their idolatries a great while neglected them, whom yet in the end hee will be pleased to ioyne to himselfe in spirituall marriage.

It riseth in these degrees.

First, God in bidding the Prophet to loue a woman that had plaid the Adultresse, intimateth his loue and purpose to call them home, euen when they went a whoring after strange Gods, forsaking the true worship & seruice of God in Christ.

That is meant after the manner of those times, by loo∣king to other Gods and louing bottles of wine: for in those Sacrifices to Idols, the manner was to drinke wine aboun∣dantly.

Secondly, the Prophet bought her, which I inter∣prete to bee the setting apart of a remnant, whom hee * 1.31 would afterwards call with a holy calling and marry vn∣to himselfe.

3. The price he paid 15. pieces of siluer, and an homer and a halfe of Barley: vnder that the Law requireth for a bond slaue, Exod. 21. 32. (and slaues onely were saleable) noteth her vilde and base condition at the time, worse then any slaue, whether you consider her spirituall thraldome, or miserable dispersion among the nations: for of all peo∣ple in the world they are now the basest & most contemp∣tible.

3. Fourthly, the long continuance of this their slauery; hauing beene in that estate almost 1600. yeares since the destruction of their Temple and Citie by Uespasian.

Fiftly, the vtter desolation which shall bee among them all that while: by allusion to the law, Deut. 21. 13. * 1.32

Sixtly, Gods promise to call them home by faith and true repentance at the last, in that hee is pleased to stay for * 1.33 them till the time that they also shall be ioyned in spirituall wedlocke.

4. Thus farre of the Type: The signification of the Type expresseth cleerely.

First, their long desolation and miserable state of things * 1.34 all that while, in that they shall haue no forme nor face of Church or Common wealth, no, not of a corrupt, or depra∣ued Church.

5. Secondly, the promise of their conuersion, that in * 1.35 the last dayes or last yeare as Ezechiel hath it, Ezech. 38 8. they shall embrace Christ their King (who is called heere Iehouah and Dauid) kisse the Sonne, and with feare and trembling submit themselues vnto his Kingdome, for all the while they reiected him, they were without God in the world. Ephe. 2. 12.

CHAP. 4.

1. Heare the word of Iehouah, yee children of Israel: for Ie∣houah hath a controuersie with the Inhabitants of the Land, be∣cause there is no faithfulnesse, nor kindnesse, nor knowledge of God in the Land.

2. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and who∣ring: they doe breake out, that a 1.36 a 1.37 murders touch one another.

3. Therefore the Land shall mourne and euery one that dwel∣leth therein shall become feeble, b 1.38 both the beasts of the field, and the foule of the heauen: yea also, the fishes of the Sea shall bee ta∣ken away.

4. Yet let not a man contend, neither let a man rebuke: for thy people are as they that contend with the Priest.

5. Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the Prophet shall also fall with thee in the night, and I will cut off thy Mother.

6. My people shall be cut off for lack of knowledge: because thou hast reiected knowledge, I will also reiect thee from being a Priest to me: and seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

7. As they were encreased, so they sinned against mee: I will changs their glory into shame.

8. They eate vp the sinne of my people: Therefore vpon their iniquitie doe they set their heart.

9. Wherefore there shall bee like people, like Priests: when I shall visite his wayes vpon him, and render vnto him his doings.

10. For though they eate, yet shall they not haue enough, though they commit fornication, yet shall they not breake forth in multitude: for they haue left of to obserue Iehouah.

11. Whoredome, and wine, and new wine take away the heart.

12. My people aske counsell at their stock, that their staffe may tell them: for the spirit of fornication causeth them to erre; that they goe a whoring, a 1.39 turning from their God.

13. They sacrifice vpon the toppes of the mountaines, and burne incense vpon the hilles vnder the Oake, and Poplar,

and Elme, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters play the harlots, and your spouses commit a∣dulterie.

14. Should I not visite your daughters because they play the harlots, and your spouses because they commit adultery? Because these with harlots doe separate things which they may sacrifice with whores: yes verily, the people that doth not vnderstand shall bee ruined.

1. Hitherto of the typicall part of this Prophesie. That which is declaratiue of the Type standeth vpon two parts, as the Type it selfe doth.

First, the sinnes of the people and Gods iudgements vp∣pon them for the same.

Secondly, the promise of grace, peace and reconciliation to a little remnant.

The former of the two hee comprehendeth in three Sermons.

Whereof the first (in this fourth Chapter) hath a nota∣ble reproofe of the Israelites sinnes, three in number: vn∣faithfulnesse, inhumanitie, ignorance of God, and an en∣terlaced threatning of Iudgements for the same.

Both first propounded, and afterwards amplified and enlarged.

2. Their vnfaithfulnesse and perfidious treachery: breaking all the duties of the second Table, in most outra∣gious manner like a current or a streame that cannot bee kept within any bounds: insomuch that euen bloudshed, and murder were growne so common, that dead carcases lay by heapes one vpon another.

3. But the punishment should bee, a wofull calamitie and generall plague vpon the whole Land, & all the com∣modities of it.

4. Their barbarous inhumanity, noted to bee so great that they can abide no reprehension, so as it were but lost labour to goe about to admonish them: They are so fierce, that there is no dealing with them, but they doe all manner of wickednesse, obstinately and with an high hand; and

therefore are in as great fault as those that hearken not to the Priest.

5. But since they will not be set to rights, they shall stum∣ble and fall, and that presently, both people and Pro∣phet, one with another, yea their Kingdome and mo∣ther Citie.

6. The ignorance as well of the people as of the Priests, maketh that both Priests and people shall be reiected.

The Priests, from their Priestly function, which they haue so abused, for their lippes ought to haue preserued knowledge, the people from being any more his.

7. An vnworthy thing that the Priests, especially should so much forget themselues and sinne so hainously against the Lord, by whom they were so much aduanced: But those that honour God, hee will honour, and such as de∣spise him, shall be set light by.

8. They (which is horrible to imagine) because their liuelihood groweth by the sacrifices of the People, are so farre from finding fault with the peoples sinnes, that con∣trariwise all their heart and minde is to haue them sinne, and as much as in them lyeth they bring in a license and impunity of sinning, to serue their owne bellies and ambi∣tions, because by the peoples sacrifices for sinne, they haue wherewith to maintaine their gormandizing and filthy pleasures.

9. But both Priest and People shall smart for it and reape according as they haue sowne.

11. To gormandizors and voluptuous liuers, shall come famine and the plague, wherewith themselues shall be con∣sumed, as at the siege of Samaria, so farre shall they be from being full or multiplying.

11. Howsoeuer, their whordome and gurmondizing so take away their heart that they heede not Gods threat∣nings, nor his iudgmēts, though the same lie neuer so much vpon them, and that they are in the very middest of them.

12. Those that commit spirituall fornication and for∣saking God, runne a whoring after Idols, in euery place

where they can meete with them: God will pay it into their bosomes by home adulteries and fornications.

14. To the ruine of them and their families, iustly and righteously; when as they are carried so headlong to adul∣rie, that they stick not to make choyce at home of the best and sweetest morsels, which vnder colour of religion, they deuoure openly with their strumpets.

15. Though thou Israel play the harlot, yet let not Iudah offend: And goe not yee to Gilgal, nor goe vp to Bethauen, nei∣ther sweare Iehouah liueth.

16. For as an vnruly heifer Israel is vnruly: now will Ieho∣uah feede them as a Lambe in a large place.

17. Ephraim is consociate to a 1.40 Idols, let him alone.

18. Their bibbing of wine is vnruly: they b 1.41 continually goe a whoring, they loue giue yee, her c 1.42 protectors are ignominie it selfe.

19. The winde shall binde her vp in her wings: and they shall bee ashamed because of their sacrifices.

15. From these premises groweth a conclusion, which may goe for a second part of the Chapter, by way of Ca∣ueat to the tribe of Iuda, not to communicate with the Isra∣elites in their sinnes, not so much as to enter into their borders, (as Gilgal was their border towne) for Idolatry sake, nor to runne a whoring after the Idoll of Bethel, which in scorne hee calleth Bethauen the house and mansion of iniquity, much lesse to blaspheme God, and to take his sacred name in vaine, swearing and binding themselues thereby into idolatry.

16. Of which Caueat there be two reasons rendred; the obstinate rebellion of the Israelites, and Gods seuere iudge∣ments ready to seize vpon them; for euen as they are like vntamed heyfers, so will God giue them ouer as a sheepe left at large in the open pastures for euery one to pray vppon.

17. Wherfore their obstinacy in sinning is first set forth,

in regard whereof, hee wisheth Iuda to haue nothing to do with them: being Idolaters, rebellious, (for so their bibbing * 1.43 of wine doth make them) fornicators, bribers, to conclude, shamefull offendors: yea the Princes themselues, who for their place and dignity ought to excel in vertue, and to be the glory and protection of Gods people, are of all other the most infamous.

19. Then hee setteth forth the iudgement, that the winde as in her wings will binde them vp and reserue them into punishment.

CHAP. 5. 6. 7.

1. Heare this, O yee Priests, and attend, O yee house of Isra∣el and yee the Kings house giue eare, for to you pertaineth this iudgement: because yee haue beene a snare in Mizpah, and a net spred voon Tabor.

2. They that turning aside to make slaughter a 1.44 goe into deepe places: Iam a correction to them all.

CHAP. 5.

1. The second Sermon is in the 5. 6. and 7. Chapters, wherein being to declare grieuous crimes in both the king∣domes of Israel and Iuda, and the punishments of God vp∣on them, he beginneth with an exordium to procure audi∣ence and attention to that which hee is to say, fetching ar∣guments: first from their person, who all; to wit, the Priests, both the hedge Priests of Ieroboam, and the holy Priests of Leu••, the house of Israel, and the house of Iuda, which holding fast to Dauid (the King set vp of God) are called the Kings house, doe well deserue this sentence, be∣ing as guilty of capitall crimes, as thieues and robbers by the high way side.

2. Next, from the person of God to whom it belongeth by his word and by his roddes, to chastise these robbers, that are like to those that lurking in the caues and holes of the earth to murder poore soules.

3. I know Ephraim and Israel is not hid from mee: that now O Ephraim, thou playest the harlet, that Israel is defiled.

4. They a 1.45 frame not their doings to turne vnto their God; for the spirit of fornications is in the middest of them, and Iehovah they know not.

5. Yea, the pride of Israel doth testifie to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim tumble downe in their iniquitie, Iudah also shall tumble with them.

6 Let them goe with their flocke, and with their heard to seeke Iehouah, but they shall not finde him; he withdraweth him∣selfe from them.

7. Against Iehouah they haue dealt treacherouslie; for they haue brought forth strange children: now shall the moneth eate them vp, their parts.

8. Blow ye the Cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ra∣mah: shout at Bethaven, let Beuiamin behinde thee shout.

9. Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: when a∣mong the Tribes of Israell I shall make knowne the same to bee certaine.

10. The Princes of Iudah were like them that remooue the bound: vpon them will I powre out as waters, mine indignation.

3. After the Exordium, in the second place hee layeth downe their crimes; in body and soule rushing into all impietie.

4. Hauing no desire of reformation, nor to bring forth the fruits of true repentance.

5. And therewithall the punishment for their pride and arrogancie, being so great that it may serue for a thousand witnesses to conuince their wickednesse: they shall there∣fore fall and be cut off, both sorts of them, the ten Tribes, and Iuda.

6. So certainly, that they shall not be able with any ex∣ternall seruice to appease the wrath of God, nor to escape his hand and iudgement.

7. And euen as they make no bones to breake their faith to God by spirituall fornication, mingling, as it were,

their seede with strange Gods and forreine people: so it shall it come to them which happeneth to women worne with adulteries, as Ezechiel speaketh that their monethly diseases, procured by inordinate lust eate vp and consume their bodies.

8. These Iudgements are garnished by a hypotiposis, or a liuely pourtraiture and representation thereof before their eyes: as if God did summon all the parts of the Land to prepare themselues for an vnhappy war. Gibeah the boun∣der of Iuda, Rama the bounder of Israel; Bethauen, in the Desert confining vpon both, but longing to Bethel and vn∣to Israel to conclude the Tribe of Iuda, scituate behind Beniamin.

9. For both Ephraim the flower of Israel, and all the Israelites, howsoeuer now they scorne my words and hold them for fables, shall one day feele the truth of them, being laid wast and desolate.

10. And vpon the Princes of Iuda, that peruert Church and common wealth, and breake the bounds of all lawes diuine and humane, will I power forth my indignation in most plenteous and aboundant manner.

11. Ephraim is oppressed and crushed in iudgement: because he will, he goeth after the commandement.

12. Therefore was I as a moth vnto Ephraim: and as rot∣tennesse to the house of Iuda.

13. But when Ephraim saw his disease and Iudah his sore, then went Ephraim vnto Ashur, and Iuda sent to a King that would protect: but hee shall not bee able to heale you, neither shall hee cure you of the sore.

14. For I will be as a fierce Lyon to Ephraim, and as a young Lyon to the house of Iudah: I, I will teare and goe away, I will take vp and none shall rescue.

15. I will goe returne to my place, till they acknowledge the offence, and seeke my face: a 1.46 when affliction is vpon them, they will seeke me early, saying.

CHAP. 6.

1. Come and let vs returne to Iehouah, for he hath torne and hee will heale vs; hee hath smitten, and hee will binde vs vp.

2. Hee will restore vs to life within two dayes: the third day hee will raise vs vp, and wee shall liue in his sight.

3. And wee a 1.47 shall know and proceed in the knowledge of Iehouah, as the morning whose going forth is steddy: and he shall come as the raine vnto vs, as the latter and seasonable raine vn∣to the earth.

4. What should I doe to thee, O Ephraim? What should I doe to thee, O Iudah; since your goodnesse is as a morning cloud, and as the dew b 1.48 dropping early, goeth away.

5. Therefore hewed I by the Prophets, I slue them by the words of my mouth; and thy iudgements were as the light that breaketh forth.

6. That I am delighted with kindnes and not with sacrifice; and with the knowledge of God more than with burnt offerings.

7. But they transgressed the couenant, as if it had beene a mans: there dealt they treacherously against me.

8. In Gilead they were euery one, a City of workers of iniquity: a 1.49 with bloody footsteps.

9. And like to troopes waiting for a man, are the society of Priests: they murder after the manner as it was at Sechem; for they worke abhomination.

10. In the house of Israel doe I see a horrible matter: There by the whoredome of Ephaim, Israel is defiled.

11. Yea, O Iudah, that Ephraim did put an harnest in thee: whilst I brought backe the captiue multitude of my people.

CHAP. 7.

1. Whilst I heale Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim disco∣uered, and the b 1.50 exceeding wickednesse of Samaria; for they worke falshood: and the thiefe commeth in, the troope rusheth forth.

2. Neither doe they say c 1.51 in their heart, that I remember all their wickednesse: now their doings compasse them about, they

are before my face.

3. With their wickednesse they make glad the King; and with their lies the Princes.

4. All of them are adulterers, as an ouen heated by the baker; who leaueth off watchings after hee hath kneaded the dough vntill it be leauened.

5. In the day of our King, the Princes haue made him sicke, with heat caught of wine: hee hath stretched out his hand with scorners.

6. For they haue applied their heart to lying in waite, as an Ouen: which, whilest their baker sleepeth all night long, in the morning burneth as a 1.52 a flaming fire.

7. They all waxe hot as the Ouen, and eat vp their Iudges: all their Kings fall, there is none among them that calleth vn∣to me.

11. In the third place followeth a Narration of the of∣fences of both these people, fiue in number, with iudge∣ments suteable thereunto.

First, will-worship and Idolatry; in preferring the ordi∣nances of men before Gods institution: That albeit his Iudgements lay heauy vpon them, and crushed them to pieces, yet they were not therewith dismayed, but with a full swing, and with their whole heart went after the trash of mens inuentions only, because it liked them better, then follow Gods Commandements.

12. Secondly, when God by chastisements went about to reclaime them, wasting them as a moth doth a vesture, and as rottennes doth the bones.

13. They, though seeing and knowing it full well, be∣tooke them not to God. But the Israelites and Menachen their King, they become tributaries vnto Asshur: Achaz the King of Iuda, hee flies vnto the same, as vnto a Bul∣warke, though he shall not be able to doe them good.

14. Thirdly, neither Gods corrections nor his Word mouing them to repentance, can preuaile to make them from their heart to seeke vnto him. Wherefore first hee

speaketh of correction, wherein God as a gracious and lo∣uing father, thought that partly by carying a hard hand vpon them, renting and tearing them in peeces.

15. Partly by withdrawing his gracious presence from them, keeping Court as it were, at another place, they would confesse themselues guilty, and at the least in their affliction earnestly seeke his face.

CHAP. 6.

1. Secondly, he prescribeth a forme of their conuersion, what he would haue them to doe, and how to stirre vp one another.

First, in acknowledging, by repentance, Gods iust and righteous hand before vpon them.

Secondly, in apprehending through faith, the power of the same hand for their healing and repaire.

2. Grounding vpon his kinde and gracious nature, ea∣sieto be intreated, and full of mercie and compassion to poore repentant sinners: He will heale, hee will quicken, he will raise vp, we shall liue for euer before him.

3. And grow in faith and knowledge, as the light of the morning that groweth more and more vnto the steddy day, Prou. 4. 18.

To conclude, hee will aboundantly bestow vpon vs all spirituall blessings.

4. But neyther of these, his word nor chastisements, or whatsoeuer God might doe else, could fasten vpon his people a sound and constant course of godlinesse. If any good motions rose within them, they quickly vanished and came to nothing.

5. The fourth sinne is, that albeit God seeing their in∣constancie and ficklenesse in seruing him, caused his Pro∣phets, their teachers and instructers, not onely to slay and terrifie them with the horror of his deadly iudgements, that so they might be kept from euill, which is the first vse of the Minister, but to hold forth the light and lanterne

of the word, that they might know what they ought to doe, and be brought to vnderstand and performe their duties, which is the second vse of the Ministery.

6. A thing more pleasing vnto God, than all sacrifices and oblations.

7. Yet they brake the bonds of couenant betwene God and them, as if they had had to do but with a mortall man, yea (which mightilie encreaseth the quality of their fault) where God so slew them, and shined vnto them by his Pro∣phets, euen there, in that place, they made no conscience of transgressing against God, and falling to iniquity.

8. The whole land, euen all the parts of it; for in Gi∣lead (the Country beyond Iordan) there was euery Citie full of malefactors, bloudy men, and murderers. A man might trace them in their wickednesse, through the very streets, for their footsteppes were in bloud.

9. The Colledge of Priests was a societie and fraternity of robbers that stand by the high way side, they kill & slay after the manner as it was at Shechem, impudently, shame∣lessly and audaciously, in barbarous and sauage manner; a foule abhomination.

10. The people of Israel haue horribly transgressed, and committed spirituall fornication.

11. Yea Iuda also hath wrapped himselfe in the same offences, and receiued from themthe seede of Idolatrie; when euen them, saith God, (which aggrauateth the offe∣nce) when I graciously brought backe my people from captiuity oppressed of Israel, and of Aram.

CHAP. 7.

1. Their fift offence is a greedinesse in sinning prouo∣king one another to all kinde of wickednesse: Set forth.

1. By a peeuish disposition of theirs, when God meant most to doe them good. Euen as it fareth with a sicke patient, who the more carefull the Phisition is to prescribe dyet for recouerie of his health, the more earnestly is hee carried to all kinde of surfetting and disorder, though it be the endangering of his life.

Secondly, by a distribution of their offences, for they abound both in flye and in open sinnes, lying, theiuery, robbery.

2. Thirdly, they are so farre from being abashed to thinke that God seeth and remembreth all their iniquity, as contrarily they bragge and boast of the multitude of their sinnes, euen as a man would doe of a guard of men that doe attend him.

3. Fourthly, all degrees, the King himselfe and his no∣bles, and as the people of the Land adulterate them∣selues.

4. Fiftly, all these runne as greedily after sinne, (that sin especially the sinne of adultery) as fire burneth in a hot ouen, when the Baker after hee hath kneaded his dough, ouertaken with sleepe; forgetteth to make it cleaue.

5. Sixtly, by the circumstance of time, euen that very day, when at the Kings Coronation, God is to bee serued and the Prince and people to bee put in minde of their dutie, then they doe most of all runne ryot. The Princes, who by their grauity and wisedome should bee the stayes, and proppes of the common wealth, haue their hand deepest in this offence; not only themselues bibbers and tossepots, but forcing one another to drink, till they fall into a surfet.

The pinte and quart, moderate and reasonable measures will not serue their turne: but they must haue whole flag∣gons full of wine and drinke as wee say by the dozen. The King himselfe quaffes as well as they and ioyneth hands with beastly drunkards: so impudent in their wicked∣nesse, that they scorne both God and man.

6. Well did I therefore, saith the Prophet, resemble them to an ouen; for they are as hot as any furnace, and furious vnto euill.

The King indeed, as the Baker doth the ouen, ought to make cleane the common wealth, and by his power and authority to coole the heate and fury of the Princes.

But hee sitteth still and letteth all alone: that like the ouen which burneth all night long vnto the morning.

7. They set a fire with wine, conspire all of them a∣gainst their King, his ministers and seruants, whereby they change their kings apace: for by their conspiracies many perish in a short time; wickedly if you respect the conspi∣rators: but iustly and righteously, if you looke vnto the Kings themselues; for they are all wicked Kings: there is none of them that calleth vpon God.

8. Ephraim, he mingleth himselfe among the people: Ephra∣im is as Cake not turned.

9. Strangers deuoure his strength, and he knoweth not: yea, hoarinesse is sprinkled vpon him and he knoweth not.

10. And though the Pride of Israel testifie to his face: yet they doe not returne to Iehouah their God, nor seeke him for all that.

11. But Ephraim is like a silly doue, without heart: to Aegypt they call, to Ashur they goe.

8. The fourth and last part of this Prophecie hath a sum∣marie repetition of the peoples sinnes and of Gods iudge∣ments in that regard.

Their sinnes, first, consociating with strangers and ma∣king a mixture of their religion with the superstitions of the Gentiles. They neither hold them to the sincerity of Gods seruice, not to the meere toyes and fooleries of the heathen; but frame to themselues a mingle mangle out of both. And therefore may well be compared to a Cake halfe tosted, neither hot nor cold, being as wee vse to speake nei∣ther fish nor flesh.

9. Secondly, an incredible blockishnesse, without com∣mon sence.

That albeit the euils they endure of their confederates and allies, bring gray heares vpon them, and make them old before their time, yet they not onely not consider it:

10. But (which is their third offence) they are so proud and insolent, that for all this they turne away, and will not bee brought to God, but had rather ioyne themselues to

forreigne nations, then to seeke after him.

The fourth and last offence is their madde and foolish consorting with strangers. So silly they are and without vnderstanding to pray in ayde of those whose minde is onely to spoyle and eate them vp.

12. When they shall goe, I will spreade my net vpon them, and bring them downe as the foule of the heauen: I will chastise them, a 1.53 as their congregation hath heard.

13. Wo vnto them, for they haue flitted from mee, desolation vnto them, for they haue transgressed against me: when I am to redeeme them, then they speake vnto me with lyes.

14. And doe not crye vnto me with their hearts, when they houle vppon their beds: when for corne and new wine they assem∣ble and turne aside vnto me.

15. But when I binde vp and strengthen their arme; then doe they imagine mischiefe against me.

16. They returne not to the most high, they are like a deceitfull bow, their Princes fall by the sword, comming from the rage of their tongue: this is their derision in the land of Aegypt.

12. The punishment is, that as the fouler taketh the Doue, so God will ensnare and catch these foolish ones, and lay vpon them the scourges and corrections threatned by his Prophets.

13. All because of their sinnes, especially their hypocri∣sie, which hypocrisie of theirs is set forth by a dissimilitude, when they haue need of mee that I am to doe them good, and helpe them out of trouble, in their difficulties and distresses, then they call vpon me: but all is nothing else, but meere dissimulation.

14. For they doe it not from their hearts; what face soeuer they set vpon it, whether it bee priuately in the night or openly in the day, yet in those times of their need, in famine and want, they make a pretence, as if they would come towards me.

15. But when I, as a kinde Phisition, hold vp their

arme, and bring them case and comfort, they goe on in their wickednesse.

16. Turne they doe, but not vnto God, it is falsly and deceitfully: But they haue their reward according.

The sword that serueth to work their conspiracies, doth slay and kill the Princes. And this sword is whet on and sharpened by virulent tongues, setting debate betweene them.

These murders so rife, and their common and dayly plotting of stirres and troubles in the state, make them a scorne euen to their friends and allies.

CHAP. 8. 9. 10.

1. Set the Trumpet to the roofe of thy mouth, and say, hee hee shall come as an Eagle against the house of Iehouah: because they transgresse my couenant, and trespasse against my Law.

2. The Israelites crye vnto me: my God, we know thee.

3. Because Israel hath cast of the thing that is good: the ene∣mie shall pursue him.

CHAP. 8.

The third Sermon touching the Peoples sinnes, and Gods iudgements for the same, in the 8. 9. and 10. Chap∣ters, hath 5. parts.

The first part is a proposition of iudgements against the people of Israel, and the cause of those iudgements. The iudgements are first set forth by a military Hypotiposis, or liuely representation of the enemies comming against them, as if it were now a doing: then they are amplified by circumstances on the part of the enemy, and on the peoples part, of the enemie, that hee shall come swiftly and powerfully: on the peoples part; for that they are those which were before, through grace of Gods houshold: the causes are three.

First, Their reuolt and falling away from the Coue∣nant between God and them, and from the Law wherein that Couenant is written.

2. Secondly, Hypocrisie, calling vpon God, and ma∣king profession of his name, not in truth, but with a coun∣terfait pietie.

3. Thirdly, the renouncing of all good.

4. They haue set vp a King, but not by me: they haue made made Princes which I know not: of their siluer and their gold haue they made them a 1.54 Idols, that Israel may be cut off.

5. Thy Calfe O Samaria shall cast them off, when mine an∣ger is kindled against them: how long will they not abide in∣nocencie.

6. For he also is from Israel, the workman made it, and it is no God; for the Calfe of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

7. Seeing they haue sowne the winde, they shall reape the whirle-winde: it hath no stalke, the bud shall yeeld no meale, if perhaps it doe yeeld, strangers shall swoop it vp.

8. Israel shall be swooped vp, now shall they be among the Nations as a vessell wherein is no pleasure.

9. Because these goe vp to the Assirian, a wilde Asse onely for himselfe: the Ephraimites hire louers.

10. Yea, because they haue hired among the nations, now will I gather them together: (for they haue begun a little) because of the burden of the King of Princes.

11. Because Ephraim hath multiplied Altars to sinne: Al∣tars are vnto him to sinne.

12. The things I prescribe vnto him b 1.55 in the excellent docu∣ments of my Law, are counted as a strange thing.

13. The sacrifices of mine offerings, those that sacrifice flesh and eat, Iehouah accepteth not: now will he remember their ini∣quitie, and visit their sinnes, that they returne to Egypt.

14. To conclude, Israell hath forgotten his maker, and hath built Temples, and Iudah multiplied fenced Cities: Therefore I will send downe a fire vpon the Cities of him, after it hath deuou∣red the Pallaces of the other.

4. The second part, is an Enarration or larger declaring of those iudgements. First, against their reuolt being of

two kinds, one from the temporall kingdome of Dauid, figuring the kingdome of Christ; wherein what Kings soe∣uer they set vp, whether you consider Ieroboam, or any of his successors, it was not from God, he knew them not nor approued them, because it was not according to the pro∣mise made to Dauid, but by the peoples rebellion, or their owne vsurpation. The other is from the spirituall worship, and seruice of God: and both these reuolts, the latter espe∣cially, shall be vnto their ruine.

5. For to speake of the latter, first, O Samaria that art the Kings chamber and Metropolitan citie, thy Calfe shall doe thee no good: Nay, it shall hurt thee exceedinglie, and prouoke my wrath against thee. Thou that canst ne∣uer away to keepe touch with God in the duties of spiritu∣all wedlocke.

6. The reason thereof is rendred in detestation of Ido∣latrie.

First, from the cause, the nature and orginall of these Idoll gods; men inuented them: so did Israell this as well as that other Calfe in the wildernes, which brought so ma∣ny heauy plagues vpon Gods people.

The makers, are Smiths, Carpenters, and Artificers, a token it was not God.

The matter, is some course and base mettall.

Secondly, from the lamentable and fearefull destructi∣on, not onely of the Idolls themselues, which shall turne into drosse and rubbish, but of the Idolaters their wor∣shippers.

7. Set forth by three similitudes; as they haue sowne, so shall they reape, and a great deale worse too.

8. Secondly, they shall be swallowed vp, their substance eaten out and consumed.

Thirdly, they shall be as a vessell that none taketh plea∣sure in, despised of euery one.

9. And touching the other kinde of reuolt, which wee set in the first place, the forsaking of the house of Dauid, and relying vpon forraine aide vpon the Assirian, that is,

whollie for himselfe, and hath no minde of helping others, seeking it with bribes and rewards.

10. Well may they bribe and hire, but this will be the end: The Israelites themselues shall fall by heapes, the na∣tions whom they shall hire, shall come so tumbling in vp∣on them, as Esay told Achaz, Esay 8. Doe you not see it is prettily well begun already. Looke vpon the late exam∣ple, that is yet now fresh and bleeding before your eyes: so you will the better beleeue my threatning in that which is to come, I meane the sacking and carrying away of the Tribes beyond Iordan by Pull and Tiglath Pileser. If you aske me the reason, why God should be so angry with you, it is because you are so foolish, or so wicked rather, to send presents and tributes to the King of Asshur, (who in the pride and vanity of his heart, nameth himselfe the King of Princes, the mighty and most potent King) with the pil∣ling, polling, and burdening of your subiects.

11. Secondly, he declareth the iudgements against hy∣pocrisie. Their hypocrisie such and so great, by multiply∣ing al••a••s to sin against God, vainely and sinfully through their hypocrisie, abusing his name.

12. That the excellent things which God prescribed in his Law, those outward ceremonies of that sanctiue and holinesse, hee maketh no more account of, then if they were strange things, that he neuer heard of before.

13. The oblations and sacrifices hee taketh no pleasure in them.

But their punishment shall be, hee will remember their iniquitie and punish it in his time vpon those false persons that are faithfull, neither to God, nor to the King of Asshur, but goe their wales to Egypt after couenant made with the Assirians.

14. Thirdly, he declareth the punishment against their renouncing of all good. That it shall be as a fire to consume the cities of Iuda, and the pallaces of Israell. For Iuda was grieuouslie vexed by Senacherib, and Israell before that wa∣sted and carried away captiue.

CHAP. 9.

1. Be not glad, O Israel vnto reioycing as other people that thou goest a whoring from thy God: louest a harlots reward in all the corne floores.

2. The floore and the wine-presse shall not feede them: and the new wine shall lye vnto her.

3. They shall not dwell in the Land of Iehouah: but Ephraim shall returne to Aegypt, and in Assyria eate that which is vn∣cl••ane.

4. They shall not effer wine to Iehouah, neither shall those offe∣rings be sweete vnto him their Sacrifices should be vnto them as the a 1.56 meate of mourners, all that eat thereof should pollute them∣selues: for their meate, for their b 1.57 dead, commeth not into the house of Iehouah.

5. What would ye doe in the day of solemnitie: and in the day of the feast of Iehouah?

6. For lo, they shall perish by destruction, Aegypt shall gather vp, Memphis shall bury them: the c 1.58 pleasant tents, for: heir siluer, the nettle shall inherite, the thorne shall bee in their Tents.

CHAP. 9

1. The third part of the Prophesie is a contestation a∣gainst the Israelites ouer confident reioycing and pleasing of themselues in their present good estate, which maketh them of the true worship and seruice of God: for,

First, these men who despise the Law of God and the iust obseruations thereof shall contrary to the Law eare in the Countries whether they shall bee carried captiues, things impure and vncleane, no way acceptable vnto God, neither consecrated by offering the first fruits thereof as holy vnto him, nor any other way.

4. Againe, their sacrifices and oblations shall cease, it shall not bee permitted to them to offer drinke offerings to the Lord: And it were as good they did not: for their Sacrifices could not bee pleasing to him; because, if they did sacrifice, it could not bee done according to the Law,

which requireth mirth and cheerefulnesse before the Lord when men sacrifice: whereas these in their captiuity haue no cause but of mourning and heauinesse: for as the Law of God shutteth out meate offered for their dead ones, from comming into the Temple by the same analogye and pro∣portion, the sacrifice of those than mourne are vngratefull ad not accepted of God.

5. Lastly, how can they celebrate the solemnities and feasts of the Lord, which are to be done with cheerefulnes, and gladnes?

6. The third iudgement hee foretelleth, is death and horrible desolation, death euen in those Countries, whi∣ther they did flye for refuge. The desolation such as their pleasant tents and dwelling places, made to hide their trea∣sures in, shall be ouergrowne with nettles and thornes.

7. Come are the dayes of visitation, come are the dayes of recompence, let Israel know: the Prophet is a foole, the man of winde is madd, for the multitude of thine iniquity, the great pri∣uie hatred.

8. Hee watcheth Ephraim a 1.59 ••••yned to my God: the Prophet is a snare of a fouler in all his wayes, hee setteth priuie hatred in the house of his God.

9. They b 1.60 corrupt deeply as in the dayes of Gibeah; he will re∣member their iniquity, he will visite their sinnes.

10. As grapes in the Wildernesse found I Israel, as the first ripe fruite in the figtree at her first time, did I see your fathers: they went to Baalpeor and separated themselues to that shame∣full one, and the detestations were according as they loued.

11. The glory of Ephraim shall flee away like a bird, from the birth and from the wombe, and from the conception.

12. But if they bring vp their children, yet c 1.61 will I bereaue them that there shall not a man bee left: yea euen woe to them, when I depart from them.

13. Ephraim as as I see Tyrus, is planted in pleasant habita∣tion: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the mur∣therer.

14. Giue to them, O Iehouah, what thou shouldst giue: giue them a miscarrying wombe and drie breasts.

15. All their wickednesse in Gilgal; for there did I hate them for the wickednesse of their doings: out of my house will I ex∣pell them: I will loue them no more, all their Princes are vn∣rulie.

16. Ephraim shall bee smitten, their roote shall drye vp, they shall not bring forth fruites; yea though they beget children, yet will I slay the a 1.62 dearest of their wombe.

17. My God will reiect them because they hearkened not to him: therefore shall they be wandring among the nations.

CHAP. 10.

1. Israel is an empty Uine, hee bringeth forth fruit for him∣selfe; according to the multitude of his fruit, he multiplyeth al∣tars according to the goodnesse of his Land, they make goodly statues.

2. Their heart diuideth, now are they faulty: hee shall b 1.63 breake downe their altars, hee shall waste their statues.

3. For now they say, wee haue no King: for we feare not Ieho∣uah, and what should the King doe to vs.

4. They haue spoken words, cursing c 1.64 falsly in making a coue∣nant: And iudgement springeth vp as hemlocke in the furrowes of my field.

5. Because of the Calfe of Bethauen, shall the inhabitants of Samaria, euery one be affraid: when his people shall mourne for it, yea and his black ones who reioyce of it, because of the glorie thereof, for it is departed from it.

6. Hee also shall be brought to Ashur, a present to the King that will protect: Ephraim shall receiue shame, and Israell shall blush because of his owne counsell.

7. Samaria's owne King shall be cut off like the foame d 1.65 vpon the water.

8. The high places also of Auen, the sinne of Israell shall be hewen downe: the thorne and the thistle shall come vp vpon their Altars, and they shall say to the mountaines, couer vs, and to the hills, fall vpon vs.

The fourth part of the Prophecie is a confirmation of denounced indgements, as certaine as if it were now come; that they may know and learne by miserable experience, how their false Prophets did seduce them, vttering nothing but vanitic and winde, and the froth of their owne imagi∣nation, to sooth vp the people, and nourish them in euill. The confirmation therefore is from two causes. One their sacrilegious disposition and wickednesse towards God. The other, their ciuill discords, and home diuisions, to the ruine of the Common-wealth, whereby many Kings rose vp in a short time.

8. When I speake of ciuill discord, I meane not onely that the Princes and people are interessed in this businesse, but the Prophets themselues, which are set of God as watchmen to ouersee the people, and keepe them at one. They watch indeed, but far in another sort, for they watch treacherously, and perfidiously to betray the people, to set them at iarre: euen the godly among them, those that cleaue and hold fast vnto my God.

The diuisions and hart burnings of the people doe they take aduantage of, to set them together by the eares: so that this discord euen in the house of God, the Prophet in all his courses vseth as a fowlers grinne or snare to catch the poore soules, and to intrap them.

9. But both these things, a sacrilegious disposition and ciuill discords, are hereditarie euills to the house of Israell. And as they corrupt themselues this way, and throw one another into the depth of all iniquitie, sinning openly and shamelesly, like to that their Fathers did at Gibeah; so shall they be punished as their fathers were.

10 For, touching their sacrilegious disposition; com∣pare first, what their fathers did to Baal peor in the wilder∣nesse, where I tooke as great pleasure in them, and they were as deare and precious vnto me, as grapes, and as the first ripe figs; but they forsooke me, & ioyned themselues to that shamefull Idoll: and as the sway and heat of their spirituall lust did lead them, as they loued and liked, so did

they multiplie Idoll after their pleasure.

11. As Ephraim therefore treadeth this way in his fore∣fathers steps, so shall hee be partaker of their plagues. The sonnes which are the pride and glory of their parents, I will make quicke riddance of, three manner of waies; for ey∣ther they shall not quicken in the wombe, or not goe out there their full time or dye as soone as they are borne.

12. And if happily they scape all these, and haue some bringing vp in their childehood, yet it in all be all one, not one of them shall remaine aliue.

13. Let them in their owne concei•• be neuer so strong and sure, as fast rooted, and as well planted as Tyrus that famous Citie: yet this that I haue said shall surely come to passe. All their children, yong and olde, shall certainely be destroyed.

14. O God therefore, saith the Prophet, diuerting his speech to him, since thou hast threatned two euils, one that their glory shall flit away as soone as they be borne or conceiued in the wombe: the other, that fathers shall lose their children when they haue brought them vp: be satis∣fied with that which is the lesse euill of the twaine; eyther that there may neuer any be borne, or being borne, may for lacke of sustenance dye out of hand.

15. But I stay not here, I will remember you of another like example of their fathers at Gilgall. There were they wallowing in their wickednesse the vncircumcision of their flesh made me hate them. And albeit I in my mercy and kindnesse pardoned their offence, and renewed my Coue∣nant with them, cutting off their foreskin; yet the place which I so sanctified, these men prophane againe, that all the wickednesse of their forefathers there doth yet sticke vnto them. They are rebels euery one, all the Princes of them; wherefore I will spread my iudgements vpon them.

First, I will expell them out of my house, and take from them my seruice and religion, which they despise.

16. Secondly, they shall not prosper; but eyther be as a tree smitt with the wormes or weather, that they shall not

bring forth the fruit of the wombe; or if they doe, I will command the sword to slay their sweet and delightfull children.

Thirdly, they shall be ledde captiue into strange Coun∣tries.

CHAP. 10.

1. Come to their ciuill discords: They are good to none but to themselues. If they bring forth any fruit, they abuse it to their owne lusts.

2. Whatsoeuer they haue, they attribute it to their idols, but God iealous of his glory, will cut off their idols and places consecrate to Idolatry by the top.

3. They thinke, the King should not rule them, but they the King. And because they haue cast off all reuerence of God, therfore they cast off and set light by the King, which is his Ordinance.

4. They are all periured, and falsifiers of their word and Couenant. New Conspiracies spring euery day among them; all is out of order, not iudgement it selfe, which ought to be holy vnto God, scapeth free, but is turned into bitternesse and oppression.

A great indignity, that those which liue of the furrowes of my field, and whom my bountie and largesse doth su∣staine, should make gall and wormewood to grow vp in stead of good and sauourie fruit.

5. But the punishment of their Idolatries (the Calues of Bethel and Dan) shall be.

First, feare and trembling.

Secondly, losse of all their glorie, and whatsoeuer they reioyce in.

6. Thirdly, captiuitie of the inhabitants, that shall make them ashamed of their doings.

7. Fourthly, destruction of the King of Israell, hee that is now so glorious, shall then be no more set by, than the foame that is vpon the water.

8. Fifthly, Ruine of their Idols, and idolatrous places

wherein the Israelites sinned so grieuouslie.

6. The sense and terror of Gods iudgements driuing them to desperation.

9. From the dayes of Gibe ah hast thou sinned, O Israel, there they stood; the battell in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not reach them.

10. It is in my desire that I binde them; for the people shall be gathered against them, binding them to be carried away in their two habitations.

11. For Ephraim is an heyfer taught, that loueth to tread out the corne: Though I would haue passed vpon the be awty of her necke, would haue made Ephraim to ride, Iudah should haue ploughed, and Iacob should haue a 1.66 harrowed.

12. Sowe to your selues to righteousnesse, (said I) reape vnto kindnesse, swallow vp your fallow ground: for it is time to seeke Iehovah, till hee come and powre downe the raine of righteous∣nesse vpon you.

13. You haue plowed wickednesse, you reape iniquity, you cat the fruit of lying, because thou trust est in thine owne way, in the multitude of thy strong ones.

14. Therefore shall a tumult rise among thy people, and thy fenced places shall every one bee wasted, as Shalman wasted b 1.67 the countrey of Arbell in the day of battell, the mother with the children shall be dashed in pieces.

15. Thus shall Bethell doe vnto you, because of c 1.68 your excee∣ding wickednesse: in the very morning d 1.69 vtterly cut off shall be the King of Israell.

9. The fift and last part followeth, which is the conclu∣sion of the Prophesie: repeating first that which was said before, of the peoples sinning, like their fathers of Gibeah, nothing moued with Gods mercifull and gracious dealing, who cut them not off in that war against the wicked Ben∣iaminites, as they did deserue, but suffered them to remaine.

10. But because they will not learne to profit by Gods mercies, Let me see whother they will profit by my Cha∣stisements.

I think best to correct them & to deliuer them bound in both their habitations of Israel and of Iuda to bee carried away Captiues.

11. Next he doth garnish and adorne this conclusion by a double dissimilitude.

One is of the Israelites affection and disposition compa∣red with Gods gracious counsell towards them.

Ephraim, saith the Lord by the Prophet, was taught true Piety and instructed in the feare of God; my purpose was to haue tuned him that he might bee plyable to the yoake, and draw in my plough, and to occupie him in my seruice. But he loues to take his ease, and onely followeth after his pleasure and profit.

12. The other by comparing Gods documents and in∣structions, calling them to righteousnesse and holinesse, that hath most large and ample promises annexed it.

13. With their contrary deeds vnsatiable in iniquity.

14. Lastly, hee denounceth the Iudgement it selfe, a cruell and mortall warre, destroying them.

Amplifying this destruction: First by the greatnesse, set forth by a similitude. That all sexes and ages shall be de∣stroyed, euen as Shalman (Shalmanasar, by all likelihood in that voyage which is spoken of 2. Kin. 18. 34. & 19. 13.) wasted and destroyed the countrey of Arbel, afterwards renowned for the ouerthrow that Alexander the great gaue in that place vnto Darius.

15. Secondly, by the causes that brought this Iudge∣ment vpon them. They may thanke their idolatrie for it.

Thirdly, by the speedinesse of the Iudgement. Early, that is to say, quickly, and anone it shall be done.

4. By the certainty, which the doubling of the word im∣porteth.

CHAP. 11.

1. Because Israel is a youth whom I loue, therefore out of Aegypt haue I called my sonne.

1. These are the three Sermons touching the sinnes of the people, and Gods iudgements against them for the same. Now in two Sermon•• more he setteth forth the pro∣mises of grace, peace and reconciliation to a small remnant, the little handfull of Gods elect, which in this 11. Chap∣ter, being the first Sermon, hee doth foure manner of wayes.

First, is the fundamentall cause and ground worke of all the good things, which God offereth or bestoweth vpon the Iewes; which is the grace and fauour of God in and through Christ. In whom because God loued them and adopted them for his Children, therefore in his infinite mercy hee brought his sonne for their sake out of Egypt, where their sinnes deserued, he should perpetually remaine, and neuer to haue come backe for the worke of their re∣demption.

So this place is applyed and expounded. Math. 2.

2. As they called to them, so went they from their presence, they sacrificed vnto Baalim, and burnt incense to their grauen Images.

3. When as I acquaint Ephraim, he taketh them in his arms: and they know not that I heale them.

4. With cords of a man doe I draw them, with thick bands of loue, and I am vnto them as those that lift vp the yoake put vpon their cheekes: that I might reach meate vnto them.

5. He was not to haue returned into the Land of Aegypt, or of the Assyrian who is his King: but they refused to conuert.

6. To conclude, when the sword abideth in his cities and con∣sumeth his members and denoureth: because of their owne counsels.

7. My people are prone to rebellion against mee: although they called them to the most high, hee doth not withall ex∣alt him.

2. The second thing, is the peoples extreame ingratitude * 1.70 refusing Christ: but that is incled by mentioning the sinnes of the time, hee liued in; Idolatrie especially and the wor∣ship

of false gods, and is further amplified by comparing Gods gracious dealing in this behalfe, and the holy means, which he vsed to reclaim them.

First, he called them by the Prophets.

3. Secondly hee taught and enformed the people how he would be serued, yet they set vp Idolls in his stead, and after the manner of impudent and shamelesse strumpets, tooke the puppets in their armes, and embraced them be∣fore his face.

4. Thirdly, he heaped vpon them many fauors and to∣kens of his Ioue; howbeit all Gods benefits could not keep them to him, but they would needs flye vnto strangers for helpe.

Hee drew them not as beasts, but gently and louinglie with the words of men. Like a good husbandman, hee lift vp the yoake from their necke, to giue them meat.

5. So as they wanted nothing: there was no cause for them to runne for helpe, eyther to the Aegyptian, as Hoshea did, or to the Assirian, to whom they were tributaries from the time of Menachem, yet they would not be stayd.

6. Thirdly, he layd vpon them heauie crosses and cor∣rections.

The sword lodged in their houses, it eate vp and consu∣med their very bodies, because of their wickednesse.

7. Yet they, prone vnto rebellion, tooke no heed, nor gaue glorie vnto God, though all these things (the Word, Gods blessings and afflictions) invited them vnto him.

8. How should I expose thee, O Ephraim? how should I deli∣uer thee vp, O Israell? how should I dispose thee as Admah? how should I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart turneth it selfe within me, together doe a 1.71 my bowels of repentance boyle.

9. I will not execute the heat of my wrath, I will b 1.72 no more destroy Ephraim: for I am God Almighty, and not a man, the holy oxe in the middest of thee, and I will not inuade the city.

8. The third thing is the desolation of this people, which * 1.73

well might haue beene a gulfe to swallow them vp, and a graue to bury them in for euer, being most worthy to pe∣rish, as the Cities which God destroyed in his wrath, Gen. 19. Howbeit, God in the bowels of his mercy, earning and taking pitie of them, spareth to lay vpon them the extre∣mitie of his wrath, and is ready to saue them for his mer∣cies sake.

This latter hath the proofes and reasons rendred for it, which are three; all taken from the consideration of the nature of God.

First, his mercies, as we said before.

9. Secondly, his vnchangeablenes, being not a man that is alwaies variable, and differing as well from himselfe as others, but the mightie God, whose purpose and decrees are constant for the sauing of the elect.

Thirdly, his holinesse, who is himselfe holy, and the author of eternall sanctitie.

10. After Iehouah shall they goe as a roaring Lion: for hee shall roare, and the children shall a 1.74 come trembling from the Sea.

11. They shall come trembling as a bird out of Aegypt, and as a doue out of Asshur: and I will place them in their houses, the speech of Iehovah.

10. In the fourth and last place come the promises themselues; that he will bring them to the knowledge and * 1.75 participation of Christ, from whose presence before they are said to flie away. A Prophesie of the conuersion and calling of the Iewes, to be accomplished in the last dayes.

It is amplified.

First, by the instrumentall cause, the preaching of the Gospell; which is the voyce of Christ, shaking both hea∣uen and earth.

Secondly, by the great assemblies that out of all nations, * 1.76 languages, and people shall ioyne and haue their part in so great a benefit: wherefore he reckoneth vp;

First, the Sea, that is, the furthest and most remote parts of the earth, as Zacharie in expresse terme; hath it, Zach. 10. 11. whereby are specially meant our westerne Churches, but withall, the northern parts.

11. Secondly, Aegypt, noting the whole South. 〈…〉〈…〉

Thirdly, Asshur, or all the East cracke; those 〈…〉〈…〉d mighty Kingdome•• that lye Eastward from Iudea, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Sunne rising. Reade Esay 19. 23. 24. 25. and Esay 27. 12. 13. and Zach. 10. 11 12. 13. and Micah 7. 11. 12. which prophecies doe wonderfullie concurre with this, and are a key to open the meaning of it.

So he doth foretell that generall spreading of the Gos∣pell, and gathering of the Elect farre and wide, from one end of the heauens vnto another, which immediately fol∣loweth the calling of the Iewes, Math. 24. 31. for howso∣euer the words in shew seeme onely to import the collecti∣on of the Iewes, dispersed into these Countries, yet the comparing of that which went before, Chap. 1. 11. maketh me incline to a more generall sence, and to vnderstand it of the full comming in of the Gentiles.

4. It is amplified by the effects common to them all, Ioy, comfort, and peace of conscience to men terrified with the sight and burden of their sinnes.

5. The phrases heere doe intimate a returne with much * 1.77 difficulty, in the middest of many dangers, millions of feares, terrors, and perplexities, into their owne countrie.

6. The seating of them in their land againe. * 1.78 * 1.79

VERSE 12. of Chapter 11. and Chapters 12. 13. 14.

12. Ephraim compassed me about with a lye, and the house of Israell with deceit: when Iudah yet ruled with God-almigh∣tie, and was faithfull with the holy ones.

CHAP. 12.

1. Ephraim feeding vpon the winde, and following after the East winde, all the day long multiplieth lying, and destruction: for they make a couenant with Asshur, and oyle is carried vnto Egypt.

2. Iehovah also hath a controuersie with Iudah: and being to visit Iacob according to his wayes, will render vnto him ac∣cording to his doings.

3. In the verie wombe, he tooke his brother by the heele: afterwardes in his strength he played the Prince with God.

4. He played I say the Prince with the Angell, and pre∣uailed, he wept and humblie be sought him: At Bethel he found him, and there he spake with vs.

5. But Iehovah, God of hosts: Iehovah is his memoriall.

6. Thou therefore turne vnto thy God: obserue kindnes, and iudgement, and waite vpon thy God continually.

12. The next Sermon, from hence to the end of the booke containeth the sinnes of the Israelites, that is, of the ten Tribes, and an inuiting of them to repentance, which is the end, and the scope, whereunto the former driueth. Both first propounded, and then amplified and enlar∣ged.

Their sinnes are three.

1. The renting off themselues from the kingdome of Iudah, and the forsaking of true Religion: for though they would seeme to worship God, yet it was but a false, and a

lying worship. And this is aggrauated, because they did thus degenerate, euen then when Iudah, like a Prince of God, held fast his first integritie, and kept the faith to God, those holy ones, the Father, Sonne, and blessed Spi∣rit.

2. The consociating of themselues to strangers, making * 1.80 a couenant with one, bringing presents to another, not * 1.81 onely in vaine, but to their owne hurt.

3. The drawing of Iudah to the like offences: which brought Gods indignation vpon them. * 1.82

To repentance they are inuited by setting before them the example of their father Iacob. He left no meanes vn∣attempted * 1.83 that he might obtaine the blessing: hee stroue for it with his brother in the wombe, and afterwardes with the Angell.

4. Against whom with much wrestling hee preuayled. And when the Angell loosing the hollow of his thigh, wherein hee shewed his power, had reproued Iacob for asking after his name, an argument of his Maiestie: as being not simply an Angell, but Christ, Iehovah the Angell of the couenant: Iacob with teares besought the blessing, which he there graciously bestowed, and after∣wardes at Bethel confirmed vnto him.

5. Euen that Iehovah, whose promises are eternall, and who will performe them to his Childrens Children, to the thousand generation, if they returne vnto him.

7. He is a marchant, in his hands are ballances of deceit, he loueth to oppresse.

8. And Ephraim saith, yet I am become rich: I haue got me wealth: All my labours suffise me not, it is iniquitie whatso∣euer is a fault.

9. But I am Iehovah thy God, euen from the land of Egypt: yet should I make thee to dwell in these Tents, as in the dayes of solemnitie?

10. And speaking by these Prophets, should I multiplie visi∣on? and by the hand of these Prophets, should I propound simili∣tudes?

11. Is there iniquitie in Gilead? are they onely vanitie in Gilgall? They sacrifice bullockes: euen these ment altars are as heapes in the furrowes of my field.

12. Thither fled Iacob out of the countrey of Aram: after Israel had serued for a wife, and for a wife had kept sheepe.

13. Hither also by a Prophet did Iehovah bring vp Israell out of Egypt: after he was preserued by a Prophet.

14. Ephraim hath prouoked God a 1.84 most bitterly: therefore * 1.85 his bloud will his Lord leaue vpon him, and his reproch ren∣der to him.

CHAP. 13.

1. When Ephraim spake, there was trembling, hee lift vp himselfe in Israell: but so soone as he offended with Baal, hee died.

2. And now they b 1.86 sinne more and more, and make them a moulten Image, of their siluer, according to their vnderstand∣ing, c 1.87 Idoles, the worke of the Artificers, euery one of them: of them they say d 1.88 men that sacrifice, let them kisse the calues.

3. Therefore shall they be as a morning cloud, and as the dew e 1.89 dropping early, that goeth away: as the chaffe that is dri∣uen with a whirlewind out of the floore; and as the smoake out of the top of the chimnie.

4. But I am Iehovah thy God, euen from the land of E∣gypt: and God saue me, hast thou not knowne, neyther is there a Sauiour beside me.

5. I did know thee in the wildernesse: in the land f 1.90 of exceed∣ing drought.

6. As their pastures were, they were filled, assoone as they were filled, their heart was exalted: therefore did they forget me.

7. And I was vnto them as an old Lyon: as a Leopard in the way did I looke vpon them.

8. I met them as a Beare robbed of her whelpes, and I brake the g 1.91 fall of their heart: and I deuoured them there as a huge Lyon, as a beast of the field tearing them.

7. These things propounded, now hee doth amplifie

and enlarge each part: and first the sinnes of the Israelites: couetousnesse, Idolatrie, Pride. First extreame couetous∣nesse, in fraud and oppression.

8. Reiecting all honest meanes of comming by their wealth, and scorning whatsoeuer iumped not with their wicked desires.

9. Albeit God from the beginning had heaped bles∣sings manifoldly vpon them; which they ought to haue rested in, and not to flie vnto vnlawfull meanes.

10. Yea, not so onely, but had made ample and large promises of further fauours by his Prophets.

Both which doe adde to the vnworthinesse of their sinne.

11. Their second sinne is Idolatrie, wherein more thorowly to conuince their benummed consciences, the Prophet reasoneth with them in this sort: What? thinke you the men of Gilead, those beyond the riuer of Iordan, whom Tiglath Pileser spoyled, and led captiues, that they onely were guiltie of Idolatrie: and you not because you remaine at home vntouched of the Assyrian? Nay, saith he, the very entrance into the countrey, Gilgall it selfe, so a∣boundeth with Idolatrie, that it is not to be doubted, but in the rest of the parts of the kingdome, their altars are as thicke as furrowes in the field, that is to say, innumerable.

12. A horrible thing if it be well considered, that these two places should now become the nurceries of euill, which heretofore were the meanes of so great comfort to Gods people.

For Gilead serued as a sanctuarie vnto Iacob, when hee fled from Laban.

13. In Gilgall, God by Iosua renewed his couenant with your Fathers, after he had brought them out of Egypt, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

14. But notwithstanding all that, Israell hath so sinned as hath beene said, and prouoked Gods heauie indignati∣on: and therefore his bloud be vpon him, he shall remaine guiltie and subiect vnto punishment, and must be content

to take that, that commeth of it.

CHAP. 13.

1. For this sinne of Idolatrie hath brought three feare∣full iudgements vpon them.

First, They that before were a terrour vnto all, are now of no reckoning.

The time indeed was, that if Ephraim did but speake, all the tribes trembled and quaked.

But as soone as he offended with Baal, following after Idolatrie; he was no more set by, then a dead carkasse.

2. Secondly, God in his iudgement hath giuen them vp into hardnesse of minde, and to their hearts Iust: that for all this suddaine change they repent not, but run more and more into Idolatrie.

3. Thirdly, Being made very fooles, at the length, they shall vanish and come to nothing.

4. Thus by the place, and by the effects, hee hath made odious their Idolatrie.

Now lastly, he doth the same by comparing on the contrary part, his couenant with them from the begin∣ning, and his former benefits, euen in the wildernesse.

5. Both which ought to haue beene motiues to keepe them fast vnto him.

6. The third sinne is their pride, and loftinesse of heart, which made them to forget God; and that in the middest of his blessings, when they had most cause to remember him. A thing that Moses warned them of before, Deut. 8.

7. 8. But they went not so away with it. I met with them, sayth God, and handled them roughly, as they did de∣serue.

9. He hath marred thee, O Israell, when as in me, in thine helpe, thou mightest haue stood.

10. Where is thy King, Where now? that he may saue thee in all thy cities? and thy Iudges, of whom thou saidest, giue me a King and Princes:

11. I giue thee a King in mine anger, and take away in my wrath.

12. The iniquitie of Epbraim is bound vp, his ••••nne is layd vp.

13. The sorrowes of a woman in trauell shall come vppon him: he is no wise sonne, for then he would not stay h 1.92 a what in the i 1.93 mouth of the matrixe.

9. And so hauing done with the sinnes of the Israelites, he doth now amplifie, and enlarge his former inuitation vnto repentance: First taking arguments from the good that thereby shall come vnto them, compared with the e∣uils that before they were in, for their offences. Hee saith, God by his Prophet, meaning the King of whom he spea∣keth in the next verse, in whom thou puttedst thy trust. Was the cause of thy Confusion. Whereas in me who am thy strength, and sauing health, all good things are to bee found, and by repentance shall come vnto thee.

10. The former part is proued, for that none of their Kings and Princes were able to doe them good.

11. For God in his wrath set them vp, and pulled them downe: and in a little while made many changes and al∣terations in the kingdome.

12. Their iniquitie, which God tied vp, as a man doth his purse full of money, and kept in store, to pay them home for it, was the cause of all this.

13. Yet were they so foolish, that though throwes came vpon them, as vpon a woman with Childe, (for so is their Common-wealth compared to a mother, Chapter 23.). yet they had no list to rid themselues out of those dan∣gers, and to put forth into the hands of God, as vnto a Midwife.

And this may well seeme to be a prophecie of the great * 1.94 miserie they are now in, because of the promises which do follow.

14. From the power of the graue will I redeeme them, from death I will auenge them, where are thy plagues O death? where thy destroying O graue, repentance shall be hidden from mine eyes.

15. For he shall bring forth fruit among the brethren: af∣ter that an East winde comming; a winde of Iehouah comming vp from the desert, his spring shall become drie, and his fountaine shall drie vp, the same shall spoyle the treasure of all k 1.95 pleasant vessels.

16. After that Samaria shall be laid desolate, for that shee hath rebelled against her God: After that by the sword they shall fall, their infants be dashed in peeces, and their women with childe ript.

14. In the second part, from the panges and sorrowes before mentioned, he passeth presently to most sweet and comfortable promises. Being of foure kindes.

The first promise is. The deliuerie of them out of that depth of miserie, wherein they were plunged, and making them to flourish againe: which is first set out by a double similitude.

One, comparing their wretched estate to death, and the * 1.96 graue. Out of the which he will set them free, by raising them from death to life. For such and so wonderfull shall their restoring be, that it is called life from the dead. Rom, 11. 15.

And this resurrection (as it were) of their is an euident argument of the generall rising from the dead, Ezech. 37.

To which purpose the Apostle aptly, and properly doth alledge it. 1. Cor. 15.

15. The other similitude is from a peece of ground, all * 1.97 dryed vp and parched, that nothing is able to grow nota∣bly, expressing the miserable and distressed estate wherein this people hath lien now very neare 1600. yeares toge∣ther. That as an Easterly winde, and atempestuous storme hath dried them quite: and spoyled all their delightfull treasures: made them the vilest and most contemptible of the earth, notwithstanding which he sayth: Ephraim (that is, euen the ten Tribes) shall flourish againe, and hold vp * 1.98 their head among their brethren.

16. After these similitudes he layeth the same forth with∣out allegorie, in plaine and expresse termes.

CHAP. 14.

1. Returne O Israell, euen to Iehovah thy God: for thou hast fallen by thine iniquitie.

2. Take with you words, and turne to Iehovah: Say vnto him, forgiue all iniquitie, and l 1.99 bestow good, and we will render Calues with our lippes.

3. Asshur shall not saue vs, vpon horse we will not ride; nei∣ther will we say any more, O our God to the worke of our hands: for in thee the fatherlesse findeth mercie.

1. The second promise, is a promise of their repentance, * 1.100 and turning vnto God, whereunto exhorting them, it * 1.101 must be taken as a Prophecie, what God will be pleased at the last, to worke in their heart, see Esay 31. 6. 7. Where∣fore he propoundeth, the forme of true repentance; In the person to whom they shall turne.

2. In the parts of repentance: which are confession of sinnes, and promise of amendment.

3. And lastly, in the motiue to repentance, Gods na∣ture readie to shew mercie to poore distressed sinners.

4. I will heale their turning away, louing them freely: when mine anger shall turne from him.

4. The third promise, is forgiuenesse of sinnes, peace, * 1.102 reconciliation, and Gods gracious acceptance of them in his Sonne, comming from his owne free loue and fauour, which are the fruites and ioyfull effects of their repen∣tance.

5. I will be as the dew vnto Israell, he shall blossome as the Lillie: and m 1.103 fasten his rootes as the trees of Lebanon.

6. His tender boughes shall n 1.104 spread, and his comelinesse shall be as the Oliue tree: and he shall haue a smell like Lebanon.

7. Men shall returne, dwelling vnder his shadow, they shall bring into life as the corne, and blossome as the Vine: his memo∣riall shall be sauourie, as the wine of Lebanon.

8. Ephraim shall say, what haue I any more to doe with I∣doles: I will heare and looke vpon him: I am like a greene Firr••

tree, by me is thy fruit o 1.105 at hand.

The fourth promise is of a glorious Church, which shall be set vp among them: consisting in the points that follow;

1. A most flourishing and happie estate, through the * 1.106 sweete and heauenly showers of all spirituall, and tempo∣rall benedictions, which God from heauen will water them withall. Whereby, first they shall roote, and fasten downewards, gather such a head as no strength nor pow∣er, not hell gate, shall be able to preuaile against them.

6. Then shall they grow and spread vpwardes, be faire, fresh, and flourishing; Not onely so, but their happinesse, shall be constant and perpetuall, like to the Oliue tree, whose leaues are alwayes greene.

Lastly, this shall make them gracious and acceptable, both with God and men.

7. Secondly, Other people rauished with the sight of * 1.107 such perfections, shall count themselues happie to dwell in their Tents, and as it were, vnder the shadow of those boughes. The Nations of such as are to bee saued shall walke in her light, and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor in vnto her. Reu. 21. 24.

3. The Church by this meanes shall be encreased, grow, and multiplie as eares of corne, or clusters in the Vine; * 1.108 for by bringing into life, or making to liue, is meant the spiri∣tuall propagation of Gods people, by the seede of the word, and power of Gods spirit.

4. The Nations shall honor them, and haue them in * 1.109 admiration. Farre and wide shall their fame be spread, and their name be most sweete and precious.

Thus doth hee comfort and arme their soules against those tempests, that bloustrous storme and weather, which before they felt, Chapter 13. 15.

8. Fiftly, the zeale of this people, when their heart shall turne vnto the Lord: purging of their Church from * 1.110 all corruption in Gods seruice, which is here noted by Ido∣latrie, and the worship of false gods. They shall haue no

more to doe with Idoles, or any worship which is not of∣fred in the name of his onely sonne. Which God so gra∣ciously will accept, that his eares shall be open, and his eyes alwayes bent onely vpon those that leauing false ser∣uices and religions, betake themselues to him in Christ, whom he will also recompence with aboundance of hea∣uenly blessings, the fruites of holinesse and righteousnesse * 1.111 wrought in them by the Spirite of Christ, which is the sixt and last poynt.

But least Israell should take glorie to himselfe, he telleth them that the prayse of so great things, both of their turn∣ing, and of this their fructifying is to be ascribed to God alone, without whom they can doe nothing.

9. Who so is wise, let him vnderstand these things, prudent, let him also acknowledge them: for right are the wayes of Ie∣hovah, and the righteous shall walke in them, but fallers away, let them stumble at them.

9. The last verse hath a conclusion of this whole Pro∣phecie, by an Epiphonema, or elegant acclamation. Wherein the Prophet doth stirre vp and exhort the righte∣ous to learne true wisedome and vnderstanding for three reasons.

1. For that it is a readie passage, the tract, and high way to happinesse and glorie.

2. These wayes are all of them straight and right, full of equitie and holinesse.

3. The righteous shall prosperously walke in them, to the sauing of their soules.

Contrariwise, he leaueth the wicked, that fall away and goe backe from the holy doctrine taught vnto them, to the righteous Iudgement of God, as the Apostle doth. Reu. 22. 11.

FINIS.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Hebr. A Wife of whore∣domes, and children of whoredomes.
• b 1.2

  From after Iehouah.
• c 1.3

  Daughter.
• d 1.4

  Bloods.
• a 1.5

  I wil not adde any more to
• * 1.6

  2. Posit. Reiection.
• * 1.7

  5. Posit. Call.
• * 1.8

  44 Posit. All nations em∣bracing Christ.
• * 1.9

  8. Posit. Ten Tribes.
• * 1.10

  29. Posit. One Kingdome.
• * 1.11

  23 Posit. Dwell in their Countrey.
• * 1.12

  38 Posit. Multitude of of belieuers.
• a 1.13

  Of Whore∣domes.
• * 1.14

  3. Posit. Remnant.
• a 1.15

  Wall, a wall.
• a 1.16

  To haue co∣uered.
• * 1.17

  4. Posit. Desolation.
• * 1.18

  16. Posit. Sore distresse.
• * 1.19

  23. Posit. Dwell in their Country.
• * 1.20

  36. Posit. Spirituall gra∣ces.
• * 1.21

  40. Posit. Ioy.
• * 1.22

  5. Posit. Call.
• * 1.23

  34. Posit. Puritie.
• * 1.24

  41. Posit. Safety of the Church.
• * 1.25

  43. Posit. Perpetuity.
• * 1.26

  26. Posit. Spirituall gra∣ces.
• * 1.27

  17. Posit. Fruitfulnesse of the Land.
• * 1.28

  35. Posit. Couenant.
• a 1.29

  Grapes.
• b 1.30

  Shall feare to Iehouah.
• * 1.31

  3. Posit. Remnant.
• * 1.32

  4. Posit. Desolation.
• * 1.33

  5. Posit. Call. 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.34

  4. Posit. Desolation.
• * 1.35

  5. Posit. Call.
• a 1.36

  From vnder their God.
• a 1.37

  Blouds touch bloods.
• b 1.38

  With the beasts, and with foule.
• a 1.39

  From vnder their God.
• a 1.40

  Bugges.
• b 1.41

  In going a whoring they goe a whoring.
• c 1.42

  Shidde.
• * 1.43

  18.
• a 1.44

  Deepen.
• a 1.45

  Geut.
• a 1.46

  In affliction vnto them.
• a 1.47

  Shall know, follow after.
• b 1.48

  Morning at a man may say.
• a 1.49

  Footstepped (if I may so say) with blood.
• b 1.50

  Wickednes∣ses.
• c 1.51

  To.
• a 1.52

  A fire of a flame.
• a 1.53

  According to the hearing of their congrega∣tion.
• a 1.54

  Eugges.
• b 1.55

  In the excel∣lencies.
• a 1.56

  Bread.
• b 1.57

  Their soule, as Leuit. 21. 1.
• c 1.58

  Tents of de∣sire.
• a 1.59

  With my God
• b 1.60

  They deepen corrupt.
• c 1.61

  I will bereaue them from a man.
• a 1.62

  The desires.
• b 1.63

  Behead.
• c 1.64

  In vanitie.
• d 1.65

  Vpon the face of the waters.
• a 1.66

  Harrowed to him.
• b 1.67

  House of Arbel.
• c 1.68

  The wicked∣nesse of your wickednesse.
• d 1.69

  In cutting off, cut off.
• * 1.70

  1. Posit. Refusing Christ.
• a 1.71

  My repen∣tance.
• b 1.72

  Not returne to destroy.
• * 1.73

  4. Posit. Desolation.
• a 1.74

  Tremble: So in the next verse.
• * 1.75

  5. Posit. Call.
• * 1.76

  44. Posit. All nations em∣bracing Christ.
• * 1.77

  12. Posit. Repayre to∣wards their Country.
• * 1.78

  16. Posit. Sore distresse.
• * 1.79

  23. Posit. Dwell in their Countrey.
• * 1.80

  Chapter 12.
• * 1.81

  1.
• * 1.82

  2.
• * 1.83

  3.
• a 1.84

  With bitter∣nesses.
• * 1.85

  His bloods.
• b 1.86

  Adde to sin.
• c 1.87

  Bugges.
• d 1.88

  The sacrificert of men.
• e 1.89

  Earlying, as a man may say.
• f 1.90

  Of droughts
• g 1.91

  Shutting.
• h 1.92

  A time.
• i 1.93

  Breach of Children.
• * 1.94

  4. Posit. Desolation.
• k 1.95

  Vessels of desire.
• * 1.96

  7. Posit. Generall Call.
• * 1.97

  30. Posit. Florishing Com∣mon-wealth.
• * 1.98

  8. Posit. Ten Tribes.
• l 1.99

  Take. That is, taking, bestow as Exod. 25. 2.
• * 1.100

  Chapter 14.
• * 1.101

  5. Posit. Call.
• * 1.102

  35. Posit. Couenant.
• m 1.103

  Strike.
• n 1.104

  Goe.
• o 1.105

  Is found.
• * 1.106

  39. Posit. Prosperitie.
• * 1.107

  44. Posit. All nations em∣bracing Christ.
• * 1.108

  38 Posit. Multitude of beleeuers.
• * 1.109

  45. Posit. Nations ho∣nouring them.
• * 1.110

  34. Posit. Puritie of doctrine.
• * 1.111

  36. Posit. Spirituall gra∣ces.