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1. THese woes and sorrows that are threat∣ned before, are the just rewards of sin. And they must look for a great share in that wo, that studie to be evil, and upon their beds devise iniquity, and plot several waies, where∣in they may bring their wickednesse into act, as soon as the opportunity of the morning light, and their own power, and ability will give them leave.
2. This kind of men do no sooner fasten thei•• covetousnesse upon other mens fields, but all the violence, that can be, must be used for the gain∣ing of them: no sooner do they entertain a de∣sire of other mens houses, but they think, they may take them as their own. Such violence, and oppression do they use against other men, and their houses, and whatsoever descends to them by no lesser right then that of inheri∣tance.
3. Therefore thus saith the Lord, these plots and devices of this family of the house of Iacob, shall be answered with somewhat that I will devise against them. They contrived the evil of sin, and would not be taken off from the execution of it: so will I, in my thoughts resolve of the evil of punishment, from whence none of you shall shrink your necks out of the collar to escape it. And I will lay such a yoke upon you, that you shall be ready to sink under it, and shall not be able to go (a) 1.1 upright. That will be an ill time unto all (the time of their going into captivity, and bearing the yoke of a forein Prince, and Conqueror.)
4. In that day shall men take up a proverb against you, and deliver it in terms of a most bitter lamentation, saying, We are utterly spoi∣led:
and the land that was the lot and portion of my people is changed to other uses. And how strangely hath the enemy removed and taken away whatsoever he could carrie with him? and now returns again to share our lands, and tene∣ments?
5. (Thus will they abuse us in songs, and short parables, taken up in scorn, and sung as personating of our God, and us. But now, to speak plainly and without parable, of our selves: there is too much truth in their abu∣sive song.) For I may say to my dear Country, Thou shalt never have any again, that shall di∣vide thy several inheritances unto thee, as * 1.2 they have done heretofore in the congregati∣ons of the Lord.
6. (And now, since I have told you others mocks against you, let me tell you, how you were wont to mock us, that are your Prophets, and say) (b) 1.3 Do not you drop and distil such prophesies into us, as other Prophets have used to be free of. Well the time will come, when such Prophets as you so abused, (c) 1.4 will drop no more of such prophesies upon you, like the rain, or dew from heaven. And (when you
know what it is to want them, you will re∣solve, that) no Prophet, that comes after, shall carry away such reproaches, instead of rewards, and have his heavenly doctrine an∣swered with such base, and ignominious speeches.
7. This which I tell you, is said to the house of Iacob, (by commission from God himself. And, when these, and the like threats, in our prophesies, are declared unto you) think ye that the merciful spirit of the Lord is any way shortned, and contracted? Or doth he these things out of any ill intentions to you? Nay, are not my words (in the mouth of my Pro∣phets) intended to the good of every one, that walks uprightly? (for, I speak to you now, as from God himself, and in his person, and so I go on to speak to you, in the same person.)
8. They that went awhile ago under the title of my people (and called me their God) do now (as if I were become their enemie (rise up in hostile manner against me, and they that were indeed my people. I speak it to you, who have used them so kindly, that (according to your proverb)
you have pulled off their robe with their under garments(and so left them to the naked world) And no otherwise do you take any thing from those, that passe on peaceably by you, then you do from those that are returned as
captives (d) 1.5 from the battel (over whom you have a fairer pretense from the priviledge of war for rifling of them.)
9. (And not the men onely, but the weaker sex too, do you use after this rude, and barba∣rous manner: for) you have, against all law, ejected wives of my people out of their poor hou∣ses, wherein they took pleasure to be as good women should do, without gadding abroad.) And so do you put them upon the inconveni∣ences, which they must suffer, that are turned out of doors, to shift for themselves, and bring up their children, as they may, and not as they should. Wherein you take away for ever that honour and glorie, which I should have had from their children (if their education had been answerable to the will, and means of their godly parents.)
10. (Therefore, as you ejected their mothers, so will I eject you.) Come then and prepare your selves to be packing out of this land, which your sins have so pulluted. It shall be no dwelling place for such as you. It shall ra∣ther be a means utterly to destroy you, and vo∣mit you out, (e) 1.6 as a matter of most filthy cor∣ruption * 1.7 that hath been a long time trouble∣som unto her.
12. (Is not this a fit people to shake up their best Prophets as they do? But I can tell you, what Prophets would please their phancy rare∣ly well.) If a man would use to vapour amongst them, like one that walks after every (f) 1.8 un∣certain wind, and is led by every new spirit. If he would discourse (g) 1.9 non-sense and lies (and say) I will preach, or prophesie to thee for a lit∣tle wine, or strong drink (or any smal reward) This were the onely Prophet for this people. (He would fit their turns as well as heart could wish.)
12. (Me thinks, I see such a goodly Prophet in one of his Prophetical raptures, and thus he prophesies to Jacob, as from God himself.) I will surely assemble thee, O Iacob, all of thee. I will not fail to gather into one the remnant of Israel, like many sheep into one flock: a fair flock, like those in the rich pastures of* 1.10 Bozrah and Moab: and that flock into one fould: and they shall have no further trouble then good store of Shepherds; more men then ordinary to wait upon them.
13. But (in earnest, for all this goodly pro∣phesie of our cheap, and upstart Prophet) the rough souldier shall be the man to break way be∣fore them (not his imaginarie Shepherd) and
he shall lead this people whither they would not go; as you shall see, when they have broken out and passed quite through the gates (of Jeru∣salem). Then shall the King of this people passe along (as a prisoner) before those Souldiers, and (h) 1.11 God himself in the head of them (to pros∣per and succeed the designes of the enemie) as of an army, that himself will own.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. in elevatione ••o••poris.
Deut. 32. 8.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ne inst. lletis quod alii installarunt aut porphetarunt vel 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sicut alii prophetarunt.
Amos 7. 12. Isai. 30. 10. Deut 32. 2.
Pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 reversi à praelio.
i. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut corruptionem pessimam:
Levit 18. 25.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ventum & spiritum significat.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
2 Reg. 3. 4.
Joel 2. 11.