A paraphrasticall explication of the twelve minor prophets. Viz. Hoseah. Joel. Amos. Obadiah. Jonah. Micah. Nahum. Habakkuk. Zephaniah. Haggai. Zechariah. Malachi. / By Da. Stokes. D.D.

A Paraphrastical EXPLICATION Of the PROPHESIE OF MICAH.

CHAP. I.

1. THe word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the dayes of Iotham, Abaz and Hezekiah kings of Iu∣dah, which he saw concern∣ing Samaria and Ieru∣salem.

2 Hear all ye people, hearken, O earth, and all that therein is, and let the Lord God be witnesse a∣gainst you, the Lord from his holy temple.

3 For behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

4 And the mountaines shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft as wax before the fire and as the waters that are powred down a steep place.

5 For the transgression of Iacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the trans∣gression of Iacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Iudah?

are they not Ierusalem?

6 Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will poure down the stones thereof into the valley; and I will dis∣cover the foundations there∣of.

7 And all the graven Images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burnt with the fire: and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.

8 Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stript and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owles.

9 For her wound is in∣curable, for it is come unto Iudah: he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Ierusalem.

10 Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thy self in the dust.

11 Passe ye away, thou inhahitant of Saphir, ha∣ving thy shame naked; the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Beth-ezel, he shall re∣ceive of you his standing.

12 For the inhabitant of Maroth, waited care∣fully for good; but evil came down from the Lord unto the gate of Ierusalem.

13 O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.

14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth∣gath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.

15 Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.

16 Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children, enlarge thy bald∣nesse as the eagle, for they are gone into captivity from thee.

CHAP. I.

1. THe word of the Lord, which was made known to Micah, of Moreshah (a City in Judaea) in the dayes of Iotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, Kings of Iudah: and which he had revealed to him in a vision concerning Sama∣ria, and Ierusalem (two eminent Cities, by whose example the two kingdoms of Judah, and Israel were drawn into many grievous sins, and disorders.)

2. Hear all ye people of Judah, and Israel. Attend to this Prophesie of mine, you that dwell in any part of this land, how populous, and of how great extent soever it is. And for my faithfull delivery of what I am enjoyn∣ed to say, let God himself, that sees, and hears all, from his (a) holy and glorious habi∣tation in heaven, hear witnesse against you, (if I be at any time accused, or mistrusted for concealing any part of his will and plea∣sure.)

3. For I wish you all to take notice of this, that God is now coming out of those high and

holy places of his, to show himself in the exe∣cution of his judgements upon your nation: and the highest and strongest places, with the highest, and stateliest persons (as stout as they are) will he trample under his feet, and lay even with the lowest earth.

4. At his angry voice, the mountainous Ci∣ties shall melt under him, like wax before the fire: and the lower villages in the vale shall part asunder, and leave their former glory, and station with as much speed and violence, as waters will run down in the steepest places, and leave no markes of any abode in that place from whence they come.

5 And all this for the transgressions of Ia∣cob, and the sins of the house of Israel. Now, what caused the transgressions of Iacob, but the ill example of Samaria: and what occa∣sioned the idolatry of the high places of Iudah but the ill copy that was set them by Ieru∣salem?

6. But Samaria, that first began the sin, shall feel the first smart of the punishment. And I will make Samaria like a heap of rubbish in the field, or of withered plants in a vineyard. So far shall she be from having the face and show of a Citie, when I have caused the stones to be cast down out of her high buildings into the lowest holes, and bottomes: and discovered

the very foundations of that fabrick, wherein she gloried so much.

7. Then shall all their graven images be beaten to peices and the (b) rich ornaments, that were bestowed upon their idoll-temples shall be con∣sumed with fire, and the idols themselves will I lay desolate. For at the best, those fair dona∣ries were but the rewards and bribes of their spirituall adultery with idols, and to no other end shall they come, then to what such wages of adultery and idolatry do best deserve to be brought.

8. (Thus said the Lord.) But, I their sad Prophet cannot but interpret my inward sorrow by my bitter lamentations, and divesting my self of my best and upper garments, and, in that little better than naked posture, mourn∣ing (c) like the prodigious melancholy beasts in the desert, and howling, like the young(d) owles (that have no other tone, and thence have their name, as fit to expresse it.

9. (All which I am brought to) because this Land is so desperately wounded, that there is no hope of her cure, no not in Judah, the best part of her. For which cause he that hath al∣ready given such a blow to Israel, is marching

toward my selected people, even to the very gates of Ierusalem.

10. Yet let not these sad things be published in Gath, or any other town of the Philistims our enemies. Let not our teares be seen of them, that will laugh the more at our miseries. But thou (e) Ephraim, (that bearest the name of fruitfulnesse) or rather I will call thee (f) Ophrah, (from dust and ashes, that are signes of sorrow, and barrennesse) spare not thy sor∣rowes for thy self within thy own houses. Wallow thy self in dust and ashes in contem∣plation of the sad day, wherein all thy houses shall be beaten into dust.

11. And you of Samaria, so pleasantly seat∣ed that the name of Samaria may be turned into (g) Shaphir: you shall passe along from thence into a land of desolation and captivity: having your fair City laid bare and naked to your utter shame, and confusion: while thy Sister that dwels in (h) Sion will not stir a foot, from her (i) quiet Hill, to come towards you, and releive you; But, (k) keeping her own station, (and not troubling her self any further) she will (for fashion sake) take the hint of her

mourning from thee, O (l) Bethel, that mayest•• now rather be called Beth-etsel, i. a place of schism and separation.

12. But (though Jerusalem be yet so sense∣lesse of misery) yet she that dwels in (m) Ra∣moth of Judaea (for which you may say [by transposition of the letters] that dwells in Maroth, i. in a place destined to sorrow and bitternesse) she shall much bewaile the losse of her good people, ere long; For, mischief and divine vengeance shall come down at last, not to them onely of the (n) severall Ramoths, and eminent seates in Judaea: but to the very gates of Jerusalem too, (that is pirked up high∣er than all the rest.)

13. And thou inhabitant of Lachish shalt bind the chariot to the swift dromedaries (that chariot, (o) that must convey Senna∣cheribs servants to Jerusalem, to demand no lesse than the rendring up of the Citie into his hands) because Lachish gave the first and chief occasion of the sinne (of idolatry) to the daughter of Sion. Such great faults of the ten tribes of Israel being first found in thee.

14. Therefore also have I somewhat to say to Moreshah-Gath, and Aczib (the two neighbour townes of Lachish) Thou, O La∣chish, shalt be fain to send presents and bribe the Assyrians well to show favour to Moreshath-Gath. And the houshoulders of Achzib shall be put to another shift, where∣by to help themselves, i. by proving them∣selves false dissemblers and lyars, ((p) as their name imports) and betraying that trust, that was reposed in them by the Kings of Is∣rael.

15. And now I will say somewhat allu∣ding to the name of Moreshah, as I did to that of Achzib. Moreshah, in the deriva∣tion of the word, referrs to an (q) heir. And I have an heir in store for thee, O inhabitant of Moreshah. (It shall be the Assyrian, that shall hereafter possesse what is yet thine) I will bring him to thee my self. And this Assyrian, whom you made so much of once, as if he had been the glo∣ry of Israel; shall quickly enlarge himself and come as farre as Odullam (after he hath got the safe possession of Moreshah.)

16. Therefore O thou poor and misera∣ble Judaea that hearest these sad prophe∣sies against the greatest Townes and Cities, fall to those ceremonies now, that are the best expressions of their sorrow and heavi∣nesse.

Take away thy dainty haire, and make thy self as good as bald in signe of grief, for the slaughter of thy delicate children, wherein thou hast placed thy delight. And yet enlarge thy baldnesse, like that of the Eagle, in token of greater sorrow, for those thy Children, that are led into cap∣tivity, (and so have a heavier sentence passed upon them, then there was upon them, that were taken away, by death, from the sense of any further calami∣tie.)

CHAP. II.

1 WO to them that de∣vise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds: when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence: and houses, and take them away: so they oppresse a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

3 Therefore thus saith, the Lord, Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks, nei∣ther shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.

4 In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me? turn∣ing away he hath divided our fields.

5 Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congrega∣tion of the Lord.

6 Prophesie ye not, say they to them that prophesie: they shall not prophesie to them, that they shall not take shame.

7 O thou that art na∣med the house of Iacob, is the spirit of the Lord strait∣ened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh upright∣ly?

8 Even of late my peo∣ple is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment, from them that passe by securely, as men averse from war.

9 The women of my peo∣ple have ye cast out from

their pleasant houses, from their children have ye ta∣ken away my glory for ever.

10 Arise ye and depart, for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you even with a fore destruction.

11 If a man walking in the spirit and falshood, do lie, saying, I will pro∣phesie unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

12 I will surely assemble, O Iacob, all of thee: I will surely gather, the rem∣nant of Israel, I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up: and have pas∣sed through the gate, and are gone out by it, and their king shall p••sse before them, and the Lord on the head of them.

CHAP. II.

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) 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 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) 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) 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) 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) as a matter of most filthy cor∣ruption 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) un∣certain wind, and is led by every new spirit. If he would discourse (g) 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 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) 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.

CHAP. III.

1 ANd I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Iacob, and ye Princes of the house of Israel: is it not for you to know judge∣ment?

2 Who hate the good, and love the evil, who pluck off their skin from off them; and their flesh from off their bones?

3 Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and they break their bones and chop them in pieces, as for the pat, and as flesh within the caldron.

4 Then shall they cry un∣to the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have be∣haved themselves ill in their doings.

5 Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people erre, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace: and he that putteth not into their mouthes, they even prepare

war against him.

6 Therefohe night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision, and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine, and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.

7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer of God.

8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgement and of might, to declare unto Iacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Ia∣cob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgement, and pervert all equity.

10 They build up Zion with blood, and Ierusalem with iniquity.

11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets there∣of divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.

12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Ierusalem shall become beaps, and the mountains of the house, as the high places of the forrest.

CHAP. III.

1. (AFter that sad, and true Prophetical contemplation, that I closed withall: desirous to show the reason of the severity of

that judgement.) I said, Give ear awhile to me now, you Princes of Jacob, and other subor∣dinate Governors in the house of Israel. ‖ You that pronounce the sentence of judgement against other offenders, must not you needs know, what heavy punishment belongs to your selves (if you had your due.)

2. Yet are you the men, that hate doing of good, and love the practise of what you know to be naught. And you use such oppression over those that are under you, that you leave no skin on their backs, nor flesh on their bones, (you pick, and scrape away all that can be gained out of them.)

3. (And, I may say more of these cruel ex∣tortioners) (a) When they have thus eaten the flesh of my people, and flayed the skin off the bones, then (as if they longed for the very marrow, or loved to hear their bones crack) they break, and divide the bones into several pieces, as the Cooks use to chop, and cut out their meat into several joynts, before they put it into the pot, or sit it for the table.

4. There will come a time, when these men will cry to the Lord, but he will not hear them (that had no ears for the sad complaints of the oppressed) In that time of need will he hide his

face from them (that turned their faces away from the poor afflicted) And, as they behaved themselves extreme ill, in their doings. (So will he show himself very just, in the punishment, which they are to suffer.)

5. And (after this said to the Magistrates) somewhat saith the Lord, I have to say to those titular Prophets, that lead my people into much error by their false predictions. These men, according as their teeth are plied with good meat, (by their kind gossips) so do they frame their mouths to prophesie of peace, and plenty: but, if they observe a man, that cares not for so providing for their mouths, against him they will be sure to prepare tidings of war and de∣struction.

6. Therefore I will bring so dark and dismal a night of affliction upon you, that you shall be able to discover no probable visions of peace. It shall be so dark and gloomy, that you shall not discern, how to pick out any clear divi∣nations of comfort. And the Sun shall set upon those Prophets. (you may bid them good night, for all the peace, they shall be able to foretel.) The day shall be so dark over them (that they shall be able to foresee nothing that is good, either for themselves, or you.)

7. Then shall those Seers be ashamed to be seen, and those Diviners confounded with their own divinations. (b) And all of them may put a covering upon their upper lips, (and cry, I am unclean, I am unclean: as being in greater danger to infect the people, then any leaper, to whom that was enjoyned) For, none of their answers will prove to be divine oracles, but mere fancies of their own.

8. But (I am no Prophet of that stamp. I may truely say, that) I am furnished with those abilities, and filled (c) with that divine Spirit, that should be in a Prophet. I am endued with courage (to fear no mans person) and with judgement, and discretion, that I may seasona∣bly tell Iacob of his sins, and Israel of his trans∣gressions (and not think it enough to preach what will please them, and to sooth them up in expectation of better times, then they are worthy to enjoy, or have any reason to hope for.)

9. And now (to put my office accordingly in execution) Give ear to me once again, you Princes of Iacob, and other Governors in the house of Israel, that (sit in the place of Justice, and yet) abhor doing of judgement: and (should be the onely examples of dealing rightly, and

exactly, according to the rule, and yet) are commonly seen to pervert the rule of equity, (and make the law serve your own turns.)

10. That makes them build such houses in Sion, and other parts of Jerusalem, with what they gain by shedding of the blood of the inno∣cent: and by deciding causes, that come be∣fore them, with much injustice, and ini∣quity.

11. For, the Princes of this City judge for the bribe, and the Priests teach for the hire, and the Prophets divine for the reward in ready cash. And yet they can talk devoutly, and confidently of Gods protection, for Sion, and Jerusalems sake, and seem to rely upon the Lord, and say. Doth not God dwell in the midst of us? How then can evil betide us (that are lodged so near to his own holy Temple?)

12. (But, talk what you will) For you and your sins, Sion shall be plowed, like a field: Jeru∣salem shall become, like heaps of rubbish; and Mount Moriah, the top of your glory, as the place where the House of God stands, shall be like those Mountains in the forrest (that are fitter for the entertainment of beasts, then men.)

CHAP. IV.

1 BVt in the last daies it shall come to passe, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it.

2 And many nations shall come and say, Come and let us go up to the moun∣tain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Ia∣cob, and he will teach us of his waies, and we will walk in his pathes: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem.

3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, and they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into prun∣ning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

4 But they shall sit eve∣ry man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.

5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

6 In that day saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will ga∣ther her that is driven out, and her that I have af∣flicted.

7 And I will make her that halted, a remnant, and her that was cast far off, a strong nation; and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion, from

henceforth even for e∣ver.

8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion, the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Ierusalem.

9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy councellour perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.

10 Be in pain, and la∣bour to bring forth. O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon, there shalt thou be delive∣red, there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

11 Now also many nati∣ons are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.

12 But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brasse, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

CHAP. IV.

1. YEt (for your comfort) after all this desolation, there will a time come (at their return from the captivity of Babylon) (a) when that mountain, where the house of the Lord is seated, shall overtop all other mountains: and no hills, or high places (which the Pagans have made choice of, for the worship of their idol-gods) shall any way be compared to the high glory of Mount Moriah: or so frequented with multitudes of men, as this shall be.

2. Hither shall flock the true worshipers from several parts of the World, and say, Come, and let us go up to the holy Mountain, the Moun∣tain of the Lord Iehovah, and to the house of the God of Iacob, and (by his holy Priests and Prophets) he will teach us, what is fittest for us to be instructed in, (b) out of his waies,(c) that we may walk in them. For thence onely must we look for the knowledge of the true God: whose divine laws (specially in the daies of the Messias) shall go forth of Sion, and his holy

word out of Ierusalem (and thence be divul∣ged, and imparted unto other nations,)

3. This great God of Israel (that so instructs, and directs them, that make their humble ad∣dresses unto him) will, for their sakes,(d) show his judgements, among many people that seek him not, and correct many remote nations, that are too strong and puissant for us to deal with (for no strength, no distance can secure them from his power and good pleasure upon them.) And while we serve him, he will make them to be so willingly and so absolutely resolved of peace, that they shall beat their swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning hooks. And (rather then their own quarrels shall be any disturbance to us) one nation shall not lift up a (e) weapon against another, nor shall they learn how to practise themselves in the feats of war any more.

4. (And so shall it be after our return from Babylon, we shall then enjoy many daies of great peace and tranquillity) Every man shall sit quietly under his own vine, and under his own fig-tree (without any to molest him, or make him afraid.) And (to make us secure of all this) it is decreed by God himself, and the

mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it, (who hath all hosts, and armies, and alterati∣ons of peace and war, at his disposal.)

5. (And our serving of him will be one motive of this mercy, and favour) for, while other people addict themselves to the worship of their false gods, and, in their name, tender all their respects: we shall go on to present our humble service and devotions in the name of the Lord our God, for ever and ever

6. In those daies, saith the Lord, I will recol∣lect into their own Country, and restore to their former happinesse, that (f) poor, weak, and afflicted nation of the Jews: that hath been (g) driven out of her own towns, and cities (g) into other remote parts, and there been ill intreated (by my own permission.)

7. And I will make that weak afflicted nation leave a fair remnant behind her. (a numerous progenie to succeed her) And over that poste∣ritie of hers will I my self raign for ever in Mount Sion (and no earthly Prince shall hin∣der them from living after my laws, till them∣selves forsake me of their own accord.)

8. And thou Tower of Ader (by Bethlehem) that standest in such an(h) obscure and neglected

place, The daughter of Sion (the fair City of Jerusalem) shall make her accesse unto thee. And out of thee shall come the chiefest fountain of dominion, and royalty. (the Messias to be born in Bethlehem) To the daughter of Jerusa∣lem shall he come (I say not, how strangely en∣tertained by her.)

9. But now why dost thou cry out so pitifully, and make such heavy lamentation (at the sound of royalty) Dost thou find no King over thee (while upon these sad Prophesies, thou supposest thy self as in thy captivity) Are thy Sanhedrin (thy great Counsellors) perished? Is this the cause, why thou art so often surprised with as extream pain, and anguish, as a woman in travel?

10. I cannot blame thee, thou maist well be in pain and labour to bring forth, and to be de∣livered of that thy trouble. And be so. For, thou shalt very (i) shortly be fain to depart out of thy Cities, and be content with what lodging thou canst get abroad in the open fields, and so walk on to Babylon. But, there will I find out a way of deliverance for thee: and even there shal the great Jehovah rescue thee from the hands of thine enemies.

11, And as (k) shortly after, many men of

several nations shall uuite their strength and malice against thee, which shal not spare to say, Let Sion be still represented to the world, as one lying in her own pollution, and exposed to the contempt of all us, that look upon her.

12. But, they that so talk at random, and out of malice, little know or consider what God, in his secret counsel, and providence, and mercy doth intend to do with us. But, how little so∣ever they consider our end, they are lesse ad∣vised of their own. For, He shall gather them, as sheaves into the floor (there to be so thrash∣ed, and bangd, as they do not dream of.)

13. (For then will I say to Sion) Rouse up thy self, and lay about thee, like a thrasher, O daughter Sion. Tread, and trample them un∣der, (which is your way of thrashing with oxen that tread out the corn) and (to help on the businesse) I will make thy horns like iron, and thy hoofs like brasse, that thou maist trample them and beat them all to pieces, be they never so many. And what they have covetously hoorded I will take to my self, saith the Lord. They have but laid it up, as a thing anathema∣tized, and set apart for my peculiar service, as a deodate out of their substance: which I will chalenge, as I am Lord paramont over all the earth.

CHAP. V.

NOw gather thy self in troups, O daugh∣ter of troups: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Is∣rael with a rod upon the cheek.

2 But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Iudah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

3 Therefore will he give them up, untill the time that she which travelleth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his bre∣thren shall return unto the children of Israel.

4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God, and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

5 And this man shall be the peace when the Assyri∣an shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principall men.

6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the enter∣ances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the As∣syrian when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our bor∣ders.

7 And the remnant of Iacob shall be in the midst of many people, as a dew from the Lord, as the showres upon the grasse, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sonnes of men.

8 And the remnant of Iacob shall be among the

Gentiles in the midst of many people, as a lion a∣mong the beasts of the for∣rest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who if he go through, both tread∣eth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deli∣ver.

9 Thine hand shall be lift up upon thine adver∣saries, and all thine ene∣mies shall be cut off.

10 And it shall come to passe in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will de∣stroy thy chariots:

11 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds;

12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand, and thou shalt have no more sooth-sayers.

13 Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee, and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.

14 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy Cities.

15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

CHAP. V.

1. WHat hath hitherto been said to thee, O Babylon, comes to this upon the matter: that thou shalt (b) very shortly be exposed as a prey (to thine enemy) O thou

daughter of an arrand spoiler (of Nimrod, that first began that sport over men, as well as beasts.) And (hear the rest from my people Israel) Therefore is the Babylonian spoyled, because he was the man, that laid siege against us, and (that succeeding) they were all so injurious and insulting over the very Iudges of Israel, that they presumed to strike them upon the check (c) (which is a blow of the greatest disgrace that can be.)

2. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratha, (lay none of these scornes and abuses to thy heart, for great matters are intended unto thee) It is but a little honour, that thou shouldest be reckoned among the Governours of the thou∣sands of Iudah. For out of thee (d) a spe∣ciall Prince shall be raised up for my own de∣signes (the Messias) that shall be King and Ruler over the true Israel of God: (e) whole originall may be deduced (f) from the top of royall antiquity, (from the first Kings of Ju∣dah) and more than that from the dayes of eternity, (for who can declare his genera∣tion?)

3. Therefore will he (g) give to them of

Judah (what he hath promised, i. a safe re∣turn out of their captivity, and a place of abode again in their own Countrey) till the time, wherein she that is to bring forth the Messias, shall bring forth that happinesse to the world: and till the residue of his brethren (for (h) with that title shall he honour the lost sheep, which he shall come to seek, and reduce to his fold) till they shall be (i) con∣verted and united (k) to the rest of the chil∣dren of Israel (and so begin all, to make one flock under one Shepherd.)

4. And he shall (l) never cease to feed, and govern that flock, by no lesse than a divine power, being advanced thereunto, in no other name and authority, then that of the great Iehovah, his God (m) (as he shall then stile him, when he hath humbled himself to that brother-hood, which we named before) under that care and government shall that flock of his (n) dwell (in joy and safety) And good reason, because (o) from henceforth this our Prince and Messias shall be magnified and re∣nowned

not in Jurie onely, but to all the ends of the earth.

5. And this (p) peace and prosperity of our nation shalt thou begin (and not till then) (q) when the Assyrian shall have often entred into our land (sometime of himself, sometime as an auxiliarie of the Chaldaeans) For, he shall enter in a proud and hostile manner, trampling down our fairest Palaces. (But, this pride and malice shall be the occasion of his utter ruine, and so of our more setled peace. For, we shall at last so far prevaile over the Assyrian, by the assistance of Almighty God, and his blessing upon our prayers, and pati∣ence, that) we shall be the meanes of as great a tyranny over him, to be exercised by (r) many severall Governours, great Princes, and Com∣manders over men (that shall lead them and rule them as easily as Sheep are by their Shep∣herds.)

6. (And, if these may be called Shepherds, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as other Kings and Rulers are) they shall be such as shall subdue and govern their stocks of Assyrians by the sword, and the suc∣cessors of Nimrod in Babylon, (s) with her own naked and terrible weapons. Thus shall God

punish them, and give us a sure peace, by deli∣vering us from further fear of the Assyrian, and letting us be revenged of him, (t) be∣cause he would needs enter so cruelly upon our land, and so proudly trample us under him in our own borders.

7. After this, the remnant of Iacob, being freed from all such tyranny, shall be accounted by many other nations, among whom they are seated, as the dew which falls from heaven, and as the drops of rain upon the grasse, which expect not the power or pleasure of man, or any son of man, for their accesse, or recesse from this or that place (but are sent thither, and blessed there by the sole power and favour of Almighty God.)

8. And in processe of time, the posterity of this remnant of Iacob (specially in the time of the Maccabies) shall be (in respect of their power, and authoritie, and command) among the Gentiles, and in the midst of many people, as the Lion is among the beasts of the forrest, and the young Lion among the flocks of the sheep: who, when he is pleased to passe thorough them, doth tread them down, and tear them in pieces, without controule of any other, that is

able; to rescue and deliver them, in that dis∣tresse.

9. Thus prosperously shall it fare with thy children, and with thee, O Israel, when thy hand shall no sooner be lift up against thy ene∣mies, but they shall be cut off, and fall before thee. (All which about the times of the Maccabies shall be but a figure of greater con∣quests, that they shall have over all nations, when, after the dayes of the Messias, they shall begin to subdue them, and reduce them to his spirituall kingdom.)

10. This mention of Israels prosperity in these times must be accompanied with the Prophesie of thy ruine, O Babylon. For, thus saith the Lord, I will cut off the strength, wherein thou makest thy boast, the multitude of thy horses and chariots. (u) Them will I de∣stroy, with the riders that were so expert in managing of them both.

11. And the best Cities of thy land will I lay waste, and throw down all thy strong holds.

12. And I will down with thy witch-crafts, and thy magicall divinations. And thy Sooth∣sayers, that were so cunning at them, shall have no more to do within thee.

13. Thy graven images, and thy rich statues will I remove from the midst of thee: so that thou shalt give no more worship to those vani∣ties, the workmanship of thy own hands.

14. Thy superstitious groves, and thy wealthy Cities will I utterly destroy.

15. And in the fiercenesse of my anger will I revenge my self upon those nations, which shall not then hear and obey (x) those Conque∣rors, and Governors which I shall please to set over the kingdom of Babylon.

CHAP. VI.

1. HEar ye now what the Lord saith, A∣rise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.

2 Hear ye, O mountains the Lords controversie, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversie with his people: and he will plead with Is∣rael.

3 O my people, what have I done unto thee, & where∣in have I wearied thee? testifie against me.

4 For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants, and I sent before thee Moses, A∣aron, and Miriam.

5 O my people, remem∣ber now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteous∣nesse of the Lerd.

6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow my self before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings with calves of a year old?

7 Will the Lord be plea∣sed with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of ri∣vers of oyl? shall I give my first born for my trans∣gression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

9 The Lords voice crieth unto the City, and the man of wisdom shal see thy name: hear ye the rod; and who hath appointed it.

10 Are there yet the tre∣sures of wickednesse in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abo∣minable?

11 Shall I count them pure with the wicked balan∣ces, and with the bag of deceitfull weights?

12 For the rich men thereof are full of violence; and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitfull in their mouth.

13 Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee deso∣late because of thy sins.

14 Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied, and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee, and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver: and that which thou deli∣verest will I give up to the sword.

15 Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap: thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oyl; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

16 For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their coun∣sels, that I should make thee a desolation, and thē inha∣bitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

CHAP. VI.

1. BUt now, least the people of God should be puft up, and forget themselves, in the meditation of the ruine, and destruction of their enemies. Let tbem hear, what the Lord saith to me concerning them.) Come, my Pro∣phet, saith he, Rouse up thy best courage, and faculties, and thou shalt plead my cause a∣gainst those (a) mountains of Iudaea, against the highest and proudest of them all, that are so highly seated (as most of them are in that countrey) and, to that end, command attention from them.

2. According to that injunction, given to me by God himself, I do now (in the power of my Propheticall function) lay this charge upon all you Hills, that you prepare your selves to hear what I have to say: all you that are lift up so high, and seem to have a stronger foundation than other parts of the earth. Though you are so well nested, and bear the name of Gods people, (and therefore should have been

more observant of his will) yet even with you hath God a controversie, and he will (notwith∣standing his own height above all hnmane reach, and capacity) vouchsafe to argue, and (b) plead with you of the seed of Israel, (a poor people not (c) considerable, among other vast parts of the world.)

3. This plea, and complaint, I am to de∣liver to you, in his name, and his person, and in these termes. O my people, (my peculiar people, that I have chosen out of all the world) What have I done against thee, that should pro∣voke thee to so many sins against me? wherein have I disturbed, and offended thee, or deser∣ved so ill at thy hands? Bring in thy answer, I pray thee, and thy accusation against me, if any such can be found.

4. Or if I have done well for thee, and dealt graciously with thee, make a thatkfull acknowledgement of that. Confesse how I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and delivered thee from the (d) place of bondage, and servitude, (where you lived no better than slaves) And how I sent (as three speciall guides) before thee, Moses (to instruct thee in my law, and direct thee by his good example) 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

Aaron (to be thy Priest, and offer up sacrifices and pray for thee) and Miriam (to be a pat∣tern of modesty, and pietie, and gravitie to the weaker sex.)

5. Besides all this, O my people, (e) remem∣ber, I pray thee, what Balak, King of Moab, contrived against thee, and what answer I put into the mouth of Balaam, the son of Beor, (of thy safety, and security, if thou didst not bring destruction upon thy self, by thy own default.) And forget not what wonderfull things I did for thee, in all the way from Shit∣tim unto Gilgal (on either side of Jordan.) Of these things thou shouldst do well to make a loving and gratefull recognition, that thou mayst so appear to take notice of the Iustice and Goodnesse of God.

6. (And that acknowledgement would be made in such (f) words as these) Wherewith shall I appear before the Lord, and make ten∣dry of my humble duty, and observance, unto the high God? Shall I present my self before him, with whole burnt-offerings (in testimony of his dominion over all his creatures) or shall I come to him with young calves, or any other kind of sacrifice prescribed in the law?

7. Can it be thought, that God will be ap∣peased, and pacified with thousands of rams, or ten thousand (g) rivers of oyl? Shall a man satisfie himself in giving his first-born for the transgressions, or any fruit of his body, as a satisfaction for the sins of his soule?

8. No (if I, that am his Prophet, may give answer to that question.) (h) He hath showed thee, O man (whosoever thou art) he hath sufficiently, and plainly enough declared by his law and Prophets, what he doth chiefly exact of thee, as the best sacrifice and ransom that he wil accept. And that is no other than to do ju∣stice, and delight in shewing mercy, and kind∣nesse to men: and to demean thy self humbly and reverently in all thy addresses unto thy God.

9. And now (because the law and Prophets have not been herein observed) the terrible voice of the Lord himself, calls unto the City of Jerusalem, (to give her warning of what punishments her own sins have called for.) And (when thou so callest, O Lord) it is (i) true wisedom in him, that will dread thy Majesty, and (k) fear thy name. Give ear therefore you (l) tribes of Israel, and (m) attend to him, (n) who

hath appointed and decreed that which shall come upon you if you do not re∣pent, and bring forth the fruites of repen∣tance.)

10. (And when you examine your repen∣tance, let this question be asked) (o) Is there yet remaining to any one a house pur∣chased by iniquity? Hath any one yet by him treasures of wealth unjustly heaped to∣gether, and the abominable (p) false weight that wants much of what is justly to be al∣lowed?

11. (And take another question with you, as propounded by God himself, who saith) Shall I justifie, and approve the unjust balances? and the bag of deceitfull weights?

12. Or, (q) shall I justifie, (that Citie) whose wealthy Citizens are full of violence, and oppression, and her other inhabitants accustome themselves familiarly to speaking of lies, and to have deceitfull tongues, within their mouthes (that deliver little, or nothing from the heart.)

13. Therefore will I chastise thee (O thou wicked Citie) with such scourges as thou deservest with making thee poor and desolate, because of thine offences (that hast made others poor by thy violence and ra∣pine.)

14. Thou shalt eat, but thou shalt not be satisfied, and thrive with it. There shall be a kind of lanknesse, and depression with∣in thy belly, for very famine. For extre∣mity whereof she that conceives shall not be able to bring forth: or, if she doth, what she brings forth will I give up to the sword (when that heavie siege comes, wherein this scarcity, and misery shall fall upon Jeru∣salem.)

15. And then what thou hast sowed, thou shalt not reap, (the souldier shall doe it for thee) Thou mayest tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with the oyl. And as much paines mayest thou take for thy sweet wine, but in the end, thou shalt have no wine to drink.

16, And all this shall happen to thee, O Israel, because all the edicts and (r) precepts of

Omri, (that wicked King of Israel) are ob∣served with thee, (more readily than the precepts of the God of Jacob) and so are all the workes of the house of Ahab (the sonne of Omri) after whose advise and example you have so framed the course of your lives, as if you intended, that I should make you a desolation, and all your inhabitants a hissing. Therefore shall you bear the reproach of my people.

(s)

(They that passe by, and see the ru∣ine of your Citie, shall lay all the blame, and shame of it upon the rapine of her rich Citizens, and the lying, cozening, and dissembling of the other inhabitants.)

CHAP. VII.

1 WO is me, for I am as when they have gathered the summer-fruits, as the grape-glean∣ings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the first ripe fruit.

2 The good man is pe∣rished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood: they hunt every man his brother with a net.

3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward: and the great man he utter∣eth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper then a thorn-hedge: the day of thy watch-men, and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their per∣plexity.

5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guid: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

6 For the son dishono∣reth the father, the daugh∣ter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a mans enemies are the men of his own house.

7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvati∣on: my God will hear me.

Rejoyce not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darknesse, the Lord shall be a light unto me.

9 I will bear the indig∣nation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him,

until he plead my cause, and execute judgement for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousnesse.

10 Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: and now shall she be troden down as the mire of the streets.

11 In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed.

12 In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the for∣tified cities, and from the fortresse even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to moun∣tain.

13 Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate be∣cause of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings

14 Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell soli∣tarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the daies of old.

15 According to the daies of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.

16 The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.

17 They shal lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear be∣cause of thee.

18 Who is a God like vnto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retain∣eth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us: he will subdue our ini∣quities: and thou wilt cast

all their sins into the depth; of the sea.

20 Thou wilt perform the truth to Iacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the daies of old.

CHAP. VII.

1. (YOu have heard what you should justly have said to God, and what he hath said as justly against you: Will you now hear what I or any good man might as well say of the sad estate, wherein you shall shortly be, under the raign of Manasses, a most disso∣lute and idolatrous Prince, that will succeed the good Hezekiah.) Wo is me, that I am fallen upon so unhappy an age, wherein there are few or none to be seen, that love and fear God! I am in a time like that wherein men have gathered in their summer fruits, and there are onely a few grape-gleanings left of the vintage: a time, when there is no cluster to eat: I may long, and desire with all my soul to taste some of the first-ripe fruits, (but there is none to be had.)

2. Such a scarcity of goodnesse is there in this wicked age: wherein the best men are

all dead, and taken out of the earth: there is not a just, and upright person to be found among men. They are all such as lie in wait for blood. They hunt every man after his brother, and seek his (a) utter ruine and destruction.

3. So (b) do they hunt, and lay snares with both hands, when they are to do mischief: but when they do any good for others, the very Prince, and Magistrate knows how to ask ((c) for his reward) and the judge for his bribe, and retri∣bution (from him that hath the cause to go on his side) And if a great man speak out of that wickednesse, that is in his heart (as in some false relation, at a trial before the Judge) he orders it so, that he will thereby intricate, and (d) intangle the businesse (the more to puzle those, that have interest in the thing to be de∣cided by the Judge.)

4. And (for this matter of briberie) he that is accounted the best of them, is no better then a brier (that catcheth at what can be had from all that come near it) and he that hath the name of the uprightest man is (without that reward) no kinder then a thorny hedge (that hath prickles to fetch blood out of all that meddle with it.) But, when the day comes, which

the watchmen (thy Prophets) have foretold thee of, O Jerusalem, and the time of thy visitation: then shall these men (of all other) be in great perplexity (as a just reward of that (e) intang∣ling and perplexing of causes, with their un∣just relations, and seeking after bribes.)

5. (In such a wicked age for briberie and injustice) take heed what friend you trust, and put no great confidence in (f) Princes and Ma∣gistrates. And keep the door of thy mouth from being too open in deliverie of thy secret thoughts to thy own wife, that lies in thy bosom (whence they are to be picked out.)

6. For (what is done by the rest of thy family, may be done by thy wife in time) and now adaies it is ordinarie for the son to disho∣nour his father (in disclosing of his secrets) and for the daughter to rise up (as a witnesse) against her mother, and the daughter in law against the mother in law. And a mans enemies are they of his own house as usually as any other.

7. But (be the world never so bad) I (that speak all this against these wretched times) will still look up unto God (in my hearty pray∣ers for patience and perseverance in doing good, and a happy deliverance, in due time, from the perils of a disordered state) I will

constantly wait for the God of my salvation. And I doubt not but my God will hear me.

8. (After this Prophetical discourse of my own in the foresight and contemplation of the miseries and disorders that shall happen in the reign of Manasses: you shall now hear my own Country (the Iewish nation her self) be∣moaning of her great affliction under Zedekiah, and the Babylonish Captivity; and somewhat too of their return out of captivity, under Nehemiah and Ezra. For, thus she bespeaks the Country of the Chaldeans first.)

Do not triumph over me, O thou mine enemie; When I am fallen into a low estate, I shall rise again: and, when I sit in the darknesse of a sad affliction, there shall the Lord be as a light, and comfort unto me.

9. I will patiently bear the heavy punishment laid upon me in the fierce indignation of the Lord, because I drew it upon my self by those sins, which I committed against him. This will I do, till he please to take notice of my cause, to plead for me, and to revenge the injuries, which I have received from the Babylonians. As, in his ju∣stice, I know he will do in his good time. And he will bring me out of this sad and gloomy time of affliction into the chearful lustre and glorie of my former prosperity. And, in that light, I shall once again be able to see

the (g) goodnesse of the Lord.

10. And my enemie (the whole nation of the Chaldeans) shall see it, as well as I: when she shall be ready to hide her self for shame, as im∣pudent as she was, in the time of my captivity, to say unto me, Where is now the Lord thy God? (what is now become of that help, which you expected from him?) Mine eies shall see her then with comfort, when she will be ashamed to look upon me. And (when I am raised out of my low estate) then shall she be cast down, and trampled under feet, (h) by the victorious Persians, and made no more account of then the mire in the streets.

11. The time will then come for repairing of thy breaches, and rebuilding of thy walls, O Jerusalem. And at that time, (h) the proud commands of the Babylonian shall be out of date (instead of sending abroad his high edicts to other nations, he shall have one above him, [the conquering Persians] that shall over-ma∣ster and command him.)

12. About those daies, men shall begin to stock again unto thee, O Jerusalem. Some from Assyria, and the strongest Cities there. Shortly after thou maiest discover them, (i) from all parts,(k)

coming towards thee: Some from the strong∣est forts beyond Euphrates, towards that river. (and so towards thee) And in like manner from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain shall they come to thee.

17. For the countries (from whence they shall thus come to thee) shall fall to ruine, and desolation for the sinful inhabitants thereof, which shall have that fruit of their wicked works (and so many of them, for very need, be forced to repair unto thee.)

14. So be it, O Lord, for their chastisement, and for our return, and recovery of our for∣mer estate) Feed thine own people again, (as their careful Shepherd) go before them with (l) thy Shepherds hook, as the peculiar flock of thine heritage. They that have lodged long, like as in a barren, and solitary place in a wood, let them now come to feed again in as pleasant places as those of Mount Carmel, and in as rich pastures as those of Basan, and Gilead, as in the daies of old.

14. (And say to thy people, O Lord) I will show thee again as wonderful things (in mercy) as I did heretofore, when I brought thee out of the land of Egypt. And I will show as great a punishment upon thine enemies, as I then did up∣on the Egyptians.

16. So let the nations all about be confounded, at all the might, and power of the Jews. Let them lay their hands on their mouths (in silent admira∣tion) and their ears be made deaf with the noise, and fame of thy wondrous acts.

17. Like men amazed at them, so let them fall down with fear, and astonishment, and (m) lick the dust, like a serpent. Let them be forced to creep out of their secret holes, and re∣fuges (where they had hid themselves) like wormes out of the earth. And (in the complish∣ment of these things, which our prophesies have foretold) let them learn to fear the Lord our God, and stand in awe of thee, O Lord.

18. Who, among the gods, is like unto thee? that pardonest iniquity (and removest the pu∣nishment thereof, upon our repentance) and passest by many of the transgressions of the poor remnant of thy people (as one that is unwilling to take notice of them if they may be amen∣ded) For, He is not so implacable as to continue in his anger for ever (though our sins extort a punishment) His delight is rather in mercy, and loving kindnesse.

19. Therefore will he have mercy upon us (n) again. He will trample all our offences under his feet (as things he would see no more) and

cast them into the bottom of the sea, as things, that he will not care for hereafter, nor make any more account of.)

20 So, Lord, wilt thou perform the truth of thy promises to Iacob, and thy tender mercies to Abraham, and what thou hast confirmed by oath to our forefathers, from the daies of old.

Notes

• (a)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 templum, & palatium significat.
• (b)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (c)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 animal prodigiosum & monstrosum in gon••re significat.
• (d)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 owles of howling.
• (e)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (f)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pulvis s••••o alludit ad Ephraim.
• (g)

  i. pulchra.
• (h)

  occulto hic nomine pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ponitur 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 q∣peco••osa terra, à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (i)

  hoc etiam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signif. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in statione sua.
• (l)

  Bethel etiam hic later sub nomine Beth-etsel.
• (m)

  hebr. Maroth.
• (n)

  Ramoth the name of many several places in Judaea, that were eminently seated a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (o)

  ut habetur 2. Reg. 18, 17.
• (p)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (q)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (a)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. in elevatione ••o••poris.
• Deut. 32. 8.
• (b)

  〈 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.
• (c)

  Amos 7. 12. Isai. 30. 10. Deut 32. 2.
• (d)

  Pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 reversi à praelio.
• (e)

  i. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut corruptionem pessimam:
• Levit 18. 25.
• (f)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ventum & spiritum significat.
• (g)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• 2 Reg. 3. 4.
• (h)

  Joel 2. 11.
• ut v. 6.
• ‖

  Ezek. 2 2. Rom. 2. 1.
• (a)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Jer. 8. 21.
• (b)

  Ezek. 24. 17. Levit. 13. 45,
• (c)

  pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Vide v. 1.
• Jer. 26. 18.
• (a)

  Isai. 2. 2. &c.
• (b)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 de vi a suis:
• (c)

  •• pro [ut] sicut Psal. 77. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 adeòut non
• (d)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 soepe est, in judicium vocare, poenam inferre.
• (e)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dicitus omne telum bellicum.
• (f)

  Claudicans poniter pro insi me, & afflicto.
• (g)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ab 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ultra.
• (g)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ab 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ultra.
• Vid. c. 5. 2.
• (h)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 locus obscurus.
• (i)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 breui ut v. segv. &c. 5. 1.
• (k)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut supra.
• Hunc v. refer ad v. praeced.
• (b)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut c. 4. 10, 11.
• (c)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Demosth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & Psal. 3, 8.
• (d)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mihi.
• (e)

  Mat. 2 & supra. c 4.
• (f)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ab antiquo, vel ab aeterno.
• (g)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut saepe alias.
• (h)

  Psal. 22, 22.
• (i)

  hoc n. est 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 unde 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 poenitentia.
• (k)

  vel 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cum reliquis Isr.
• (l)

  perget pascere (in hebraismo) stay, or continue to feed.
• (m)

  Psal. 22, 1.
• (n)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (o)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ex nunc.
• (p)

  utrumque in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sign.
• (q)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quum vel quia, ut v. seq.
• (r)

  septem, & octo.
• (s)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 gladii stricli.
• (t)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 v. 5.
• (u)

  Jer. 50, 37.
• (x)

  hebr. desideratur accusativus, ut saepe alias.
• (a)

  alludit ad regionem mon to sam.
• (b)

  Isai. 43, 26, & 5, 3.
• (c)

  Ier. 2, 5.
• (d)

  sic 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 non rarò usurpatur.
• (e)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (f)

  loquitur Ecclesia.
• (g)

  i vasa magna, ut mare in Templ••.
• (h)

  loquitur Propheta.
• (i)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (k)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (l)

  hebr. sing. pro ph••r.
• (m)

  repet. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (n)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (o)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 est, pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut 2. Sam. 14. 19. vel pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cuiquam.
• (p)

  Ephah maciet.
• (q)

  rep. ex versu praced.
• (r)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (cum nomine plur.) q. d. & observa••ur unumquodque edi∣ct••rum Omri, vel potius Israel, f••cit se observare edicta Omri, i. ultro se obtulit, in eorum obsequium.
• (s)

  v. 11, 12.
• Rom. 3. 2.
• (a)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (b)

  Supple ex praeced.
• (c)

  Supple ex sequent.
• (d)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (e)

  Vt v. 3:
• (f)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (g)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 saepe pro bonita••e, & miserieordia.
• (h)

  Isai. 26. 6.
• (h)

  Isai. 26. 6.
• (i)

  Nahnm. 2. ult.
• (k)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro protesta••e edicta mittendi.
• (l)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• (m)

  Psal. 72. 9. Isai 49. 23.
• (n)

  Revertet & miserebitur. i. iterum miserebitur (in hebraismo)
• Gen. 35. 12.