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.

The Sum of the first CHAPTER of this PROPHESIE.

THe first Chapter sets out the sins of the time, wherein the Prophet Habakkuk did exercise his holy Function: and the heavy pu∣nishment which they pulled both upon the Iews, and upon the Chaldaeans.

Their sins made up their full measure by neglect and contempt of the very Laws, of Kings, and Governors, and of God himself. These strange enormities were answered with a punishment, that had matter of as much wonder, if it were well observed.

For that of the Chaldaeans, though it came slowly on, yet it fell the more heavily upon them, to their utter ruine, and destruction, when they were in the height of all their glory, and of their confidence, and pre∣sumption in their own strength.

That of the Iews came with more speed, and more favour. For, though it were very sharp for the time, yet it spent it self in the compasse of 70 years, and left then in a fair, and easie pursuit of their former Peace, and Liberty, when their enemies supposed them to be so low, that there was no hope of recoverie.

And the greatest wonder, and terror in their punishment, was in respect of those, to whom the execution was committed. For, being inflicted upon them by the Chaldees, a fierce, and cruel Nation, and far worse livers then the Iews, it star••led the Prophet a little at that way of divine dispensation, that suf∣fered Gods peculiar people to be so hand∣led, by such lewd, and notorious sinners.

And besides (which might trouble them, as well as the other did the Prophet) the Chal∣dees, that were intended for their scourge, and executioners in this calamity, were now (in Manasses his time, when this Prophesie came out) in the number of their good Friends, and Confederates: whom, of all other, they little suspected for the Authors, and Contrivers of their ruine.