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 IOEL.

CHAP. I.

1 THe word of the Lord that came to Ioel the son of Pethuel.

2 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inha∣bitants of the land: Hath this been in your daies, or even in the daies of your fathers?

3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another ge∣neration.

4 That which the palmer-worm hath left, hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left, hath the canker-worm ea∣ten; and that which the canker-worm hath left, hath the caterpiller eaten.

5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep, and howl all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it is cut off from your mouth:

6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and

without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a Lion, and he hath the cheek-teeth of a great Lion.

7 He hath laid my vine wast, and barked my fig-tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away, the branches thereof are made white.

8 Lament like a virgin garded with sack-cloth for the husband of her youth.

9 The meat-offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord; the Priests, the Lords mini∣sters mourn.

10 The field is wasted: the land mourneth: for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oyl lan∣guisheth.

11 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen: howl, O ye vine-dressers, for the wheat, and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

12 The vine is dried up, and the fig-tree languish∣eth, the pomegranate-tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple-tree, even all the trees of the field are withe∣red; because joy is withe∣red away from the sons of men.

13 Gird your selves, and lament, ye Priests: howl, ye ministers of the Altar: come, lie all night in sack-cloath, ye ministers of my God, for the meat-offering, and the drink-offering is withholden from the house of your God.

14 Sanctifie ye a fast: call a solemne assembly: gather the Elders, and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord:

15 Alas for the day, for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

16 Is not the meat cut off before your eyes, yea; joy and gladnesse from the house of our God?

17 The feed i••••rotten under their clods: the gar∣ners are laid desolate: the

barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.

18 How do the beasts grone? the herds of cattel are perplexed, because they have no pasture, yea the flocks of sheep are made de∣solate.

19 O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath de∣voured the pastures of the wildernesse, and the flame hath burnt all the trees of the field.

20 The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wildernesse.

THe Prophecie of Ioel was directed chiesly against Iudah, as Hosheahs against Israel. For, though he name Israel twice, yet he un∣derstands not there the ten Tribes, distinct from the Kingdom of Iudah, but takes it as a general name to all the Jews.

He begins with threats, and motives to re∣pentance: and so makes way for unspeakable comfort, in the coming of the Messias: and the necessitie of yeelding obedience unto him.

CHAP. I.

1. THe word of the Lord, which was (made known) to Ioel, the son of Pethuel.

2. Hear ye this, you aged men, that are sup∣posed

to have encreased your knowledge with your years. And give special ear to it, all you that are inhabitants of the land of Judea. And tell me if you have heard the like of what I shall now deliver, either in your daies, or in the daies of your forefathers.

3. I shall speak that, which you may well transmit to your children, and they to theirs, and so one age to another generation succeeding them.

4. And I shall begin with four several sorts of terrible locusts. You read but of one sort of them in Egypt: here are more to be won∣dred at, and all of them greedy destroyers, not of our enemies land, but of our own, nor of the land onely, but of the (a) people. In such manner shall these come, That, what the Cater∣piller leaves, the Grashopper shall devour; And what the Grashoper leaves, the Canker-worm shall eat up; And what the Canker-worm leaves, the Locust shall devour.

5. Here is sad news to wake up the drunk∣ards, you that are in that number, this will make you all turn your mad mirth into weeping, and howling. You that were, of all others, most soundly lulled asleep: for (in the destruction of the vineyards) the sweet wine will be taken away from the mouths of such lustie bib∣bers.

6. And, that you may know, what kind of creatures these locusts may be (whether worms or men) I will now use a plainer lan∣guage, to ler you understand, what God him∣self saith of his people. And this it is. A nati∣on shall certainly come upon my land (or rather a mixture of several destructive nations, as greedie, and mischievous as any locusts) a peo∣ple excelling in strength, and number. A gene∣ration of locusts, that will bite to the purpose. For their teeth will be like Lions teeth, and their grinders will have the strength of the strongest Lions (in that part.)

7. This kind of monstrous creature will fearfully destroy Judea, which I account as my own vineyard that my right hand hath planted. And, with that, all my best fruit will be used at the pleasure of the destroyer: among them my fig-trees will be barked, and pilled, and care∣lessely thrown about, not a bough retaining so much as his own colour,

8. For this, well maiest thou (O Judea) take up as heavie a mourning, and lamentation, as a young woman would do, that girds her self with sackcloth, and sadly composeth her self, to bewail the losse of her dearest consort, the hus∣band of her youth.

9. No other way canst thou lament for thy Priests, or they for themselves. They that con∣tinually wait at the altar of the Lord, to inter∣cede for thy welfare, and present thy thankful acknowledgements, cannot otherwise expresse the absolute losse of that corn and wine, that should daily supply the meat-offering, and drink-offering for the house of the Lord: and so the better inable them for the continuance of di∣vine service in that place.

10. The Priests mourn not alone. The grounds are so wasted, and lie so rude, and un∣tilled, that they also seem to have put on their (b) mourning apparrel. And there is too much cause they should do so for the devastation of the fair corn-fields, and withering of the vines, and total losse of the oyl.

11. At this sight, how can the Husbadmen but hang down their heads for shame; and the vine-dressers cry out for sorrow? It must trouble

them all to see the fruit of the earth so destroy∣ed, the wheat and the barly, and the whole har∣vest of the field.

12. The vines specially, they have been so abused, that they seem to (c) blush at it, as if they were ashamed to be seen in such a case. The figs are no lesse spoiled, and corrupted. And, with them, the pomegranate, the palmtree and the apple tree, and all other trees of the field are withered and decayed. And, in them, the joy and delight of the Sons of men is taken a∣way, and (d) vanished out of our sight.

13. Now therefore, O ye Priests, (e) that have nothing else to offer, come offer, and pre∣sent your sad souls before the Altar. And gird your bodies with sackcloth, or other mourn∣ful attire, and let your howling be heard, you that attend upon an empty Altar, and are tain to lay aside your solemn Musick. Lie all night in sackcloth, you Ministers of my God. For, meat and drink offerings, and outward sacrifices, you must look for none. You have onely your patient, and obedient hearts to be made a fit sacrifice for the Lord of Heaven and earth, that gives, and takes away, and restores again, at his pleasure.

14. Nor will this sacrificing of your selves be enough. You must think what is fit to be done by the people too. To appease the wrath of God, Proclaim a publick and solemn Fast: Let a full assembly be called. Gather your Sena∣tors together, to advise, and enact what is to be done: And all the Inhabitants of the land, to obey their commands. Gather them to the house of the Lord your God, the house of prayer, and there with penitent, and unanimous hearts, cry earnestly unto him, and say,

15. Alas for the day, the great day of the Lord, that comes on apace (the day of venge∣ance, and the destruction of Ierusalem) the day of destruction that is appointed by God himself, who is all-sufficient, and will not be wanting to execute his own just decrees.

16. Do we not see a type of it already set before our eyes, Do we not read some lines of it, in our present miserie, and scarcitie, that debars us of the joy, and pleasure, that we were wont to take in our rich supply of sacrifices, and offerings for the house of the Lord our God.

17. For now, not onely the corn above ground is destroyed, but the very seed cast into the earth is putrisied under the clods, so that our hope of a good harvest is buried with it, and our garners are destroyed, our barns emptied and ruined, and our corn withered.

18. O how the very cattel, sensible of their wants, in their loud bellowing, seem to grone, and cry unto God (as elsewhere the hungry ra∣vens are said to call upon Him) who hath an ear for them: and would much more be favourable to our prayers, who are not so forward to be∣moan our selves, as the herds of bruit beasts are, in their woful condition, and (f)perplexitie, for lack of pasture. And the flocks of sheep, that as heavily, though more remisly, and silently expresse their sad, and desolate case.

19. I can not but crie unto thee, O Lord (the roaring of the poor beasts might put me upon it) for that cruelty of our enemies, that carrie all before them, like a consuming fire, destroying the fruitful places of the once-plentiful, but now a most desert land; and, like a continued flame, fearfully burning up all the trees of the field.

20. And if I should leave crying, and calling upon thee, the beasts of the field, (g) every one of them (as confuting the dulnesse, and coldness of my affections, and the too little pitty of my self, and them) would continue their louder, and heavier cry unto thee: because the great rivers of waters are dried up, and the fruitful earth parched with heat is become like a drie, and de∣solate wildernesse; the pastures now deserve no other name among us.

CHAP. II.

1. BLow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy moun∣tain: let all the inhabi∣tants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is high at hand;

2 A day of darknesse and of gloominesse, a day of clouds & of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong, there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

3 A fire devoureth be∣fore them, and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness, yea, and nothing shall es∣cape them.

4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen so shall they run.

5 Like the noise of cha∣rets on the tops of moun∣tains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people, set in battle array.

6 Before their face the people shall be much pained; all faces shal gather black∣nesse.

7 They shall run like mighty men, they shall climb the wall like men of war, and they shall march every one on his wayes, and they shall not break their ranks.

8 Neither shall one thrust another, they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

9 They shall run to and fro in the city: they shall run upon the wall: they

shall climb up upon the hou∣ses: they shall enter in at the windowes, like a thief.

10 The earth shall quake before them, the heavens shall tremble, the Sun and the Moon shall be dark, and the Stars shall with∣draw their shining.

11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army, for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it?

12 Therefore also now saith the Lord, Turn ye e∣ven to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.

13 And rent your heart and not your garments: and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and mercifull, slow to an∣ger, and of great kindnesse and repenteth him of the evill.

14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meat offering, and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctifie a fast, call a solemn assembly.

16 Gather the people: sanctifie the congregation: assemble the Elders: ga∣ther the children; and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

17 Let the Priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the Altar, and let them say; Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thing heritage to reproach, that the hea∣then should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people: where is their God?

18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

19 Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people; Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil,

ye shall be satisfied there∣with: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen.

20 But I will remove far off from you the Northern army, & will drive him into a land barren and desolate with his face toward the east Sea, & his hinder part to∣wards the utmost sea & his stink shall come up, & his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

21 Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoyce: for the Lord will do great things.

22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wildernesse do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yeild their strength.

23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and re∣joyce in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first moneth.

24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the can∣ker-worm, and the cater∣pillar, and the palmer∣worm, my great army which I sent among you.

26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wonderously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

28 And it shall come to passe afterward, that I will powre out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sonnes and your daughters shall prophesie, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.

29 And also upon the servants, and upon the hand∣maids

maids in those dayes will I powre out my Spirit.

30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, bloud, and fire, and pillars of smoak.

31 The Sun shall be tur∣ned into darknesse, and the Moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.

32 And it shall come to passe that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord, shall be delivered: for in mount Zion, and in Ierusalem shall be delive∣rance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant, whom the Lord shall call.

CHAP. II.

1. NOw, me thinks, I see Ierusalem in dan∣ger of a siege. (b) Nabuchodonosars souldiers are on their march. It is high time to leave your wonted mirth, and musick. Let the loud sounding of your trumpets in Sion (which is a kind of summons, and alarum to the Kings own house there) and the beating of your drums in the holy Mountain (which is a watchword to those about the Temple) give notice of your necessary preparation for war. And a terrible war it may prove to all the inhabitants of these parts. They have had their day (a long time of sin, and liberty) and now God will have his

day (a severe time of punishment) which comes on faster then we think for.

2. That destruction of Ierusalem by Nabu∣chodonosor, shall be but the forerunner of a (i) greater day, and a heavier destructi∣on by the Romans. And that will be a terrible day indeed. A sad and gloomy day: a dismal, and cloudy day, which shall come with as much speed and as sodain danger upon Ierusalem, in all their security, as the clear light of the morning, that, in an instant, spreds and diffuseth it self over the mountains, and im∣parts his lustre to all the world. And answe∣rable to this, will be the agilitiy and quick dis∣patch, that shall be used by those ((k) Locusts with Lions teeth) their numerous, and potent enemies. This will make it such a fearful day, such á terrible army, with such slaughter of men, as was never yet seen, nor ever shall be to the years of many generations.

3. The fearful, and utter davastation then made by the enemies, will be like that of fire both before, and behind, that sodainly and to∣tally consumes all about it: so that this pleasant countrie of Judea, that, before the entrance of

the enemie, was as well stored, and delight s••me to look upon as the garden of Eden, shall, before their vast army of locusts be removed, be rather like a bare, and desolate wildernesse. In which, if any shall be so fortunate, as not to perish by the sword, yet there would be no way to escape from hence, nor any hope of continuance here, without perishing by famine, or submission to the pleasure of the enemy. Who will no way be hindred from having what he comes for, in the compassng of our ruine.

4. Such will be the event of this coming of these locusts, who, by their courage, and agili∣ty, and specially by their cruel visage, wherein they will rather be like fierce horses then locusts, might fright us into death. And yet, like stout Horsemen, they will fall upon us with that force and violence, that the valiantest amongst us, will never be able to resist.

5. In which violence, skipping with hast over our mountainous country, they will make as great a noise, as chariots would do, if they were furiously driven over such high places. Or (which is yet more horrid to the ear) like the noise of a slanting fire, that devours the stubble. In these, or what else may be worse then these, they will show themselves like an armie of lu∣stie men, sufficiently instructed, ordered, and pre∣pared for war.

6. This quick, and rough way of onset will be terrible to our people, and make all their sad faces contract a palenesse, or rather (l) blackness, as visible as if they had lain among pots, that have changed their natural colour, over the fire.

7. While this fear makes us at a stand, they will on forward, like strong men in their full speed, readie to mount our walls, with a valour befitting stout, and true military persons. Every man knowing his own way, and his own task. No man appearing so slow, or carelesse, as if he were ingaged, either to stay there, or to give way to any, that would turn him out of his place.

8. So will every one of them make sure, to be no hinderance to his fellow, in the execution of their charge, either in their‖ way, or in their ‖ work. For both which they shall be so well appointed, and so strongly armed, that if they chance to light unawares upon their enemies weapon, whatsoever it is, therewill be no such hazard unto them, as to expose them to any dangerous wound. So happy, and successeful shall they be in their bold attempts.

9. Their ventrous army being so well orde∣red, they will resolve to make a fierce irruption into the city (like skipping locusts) (m) run∣ning about the walls, and by sodain invasion, taking possession of them, (m) shaking their heels there, and dancing, as men secure of the victory, and then entring into the houses: if not at the doors, yet at least climbing in at the windows, like bold, and desperate theeves, that will neither be hindred from coming in, nor driven out again, till they have ransacked, and plundered the secretest corners, where there is any thing to be found, worth the carrying away.

10. After this rude, and insulting demea∣nour of the souldiers, it will the be easier to conjecture, what misery must needs fall upon the poor people, if we expresse it by an Earth∣quake, and the shaking of the Heavens, and the obscuring of the celestial lights. The ter∣rour of the lower, and meaner sort of the people may be conceived by the fearful effects of an Earthquake. So may the sad ruine of the Nobles, by the shaking of the heavenly, or higher powers. And the woful confusion of all Order, and Com∣mand (that followed upon that) by the dark∣ning of the Sun, and Moon, and the Stars with∣drawing

their wonted lustre: to the astonish∣ment of all the Spectators, as well as of those eminent persons, that will be most concerned in that calamity.

11. And that you may know the just, and powerful author of all this miserie. As God himself will have us know that he sends these signs (n) before him: so God himself, in a sig∣nal victory, will seem to own our enemies as his souldiers, as plainly as if we had it from his own voice: and declare openly, that those migh∣ty, and numerous armies, are his, and come thi∣ther by his (o) own command, and irreversible decree: and cannot be hindred from (p) doing his pleasure, in taking vengeance upon a sinful people; that would take their liberty in their day, and now must therefore be made sensible of the great, and terrible day of the Lord. And who will be able to abide that time? wherein he pleaseth to break the hearts of them, that are assaulted, and adde courage to their ene∣mies.

12. All this is threatned by him. By him, that would not be unwilling to have his hands stayed, from such a severe execution of his justice. It is therefore foretold, that it may be timely prevented. And, O that even now,

while his arme is stretched out to give the blow, or his hand to sign the decree, even now, that you would return, from your dumb idols, and other vanities, unto me, saith the Lord, by a sad, and serious, and hearty repentance: out∣wardly also, and publickly expressed by fasting (that afflicts the body) and by weeping, and mourning (that speaks the inward relenting of the heart.) These would leave behind them a hatred of those sins, that call for so sad a farewel.

13. But this last call of mercy will admit of no hypocrisie. The rending of your clothes, and other outward signs of repentance, will not serve the turn. The heart is open to me, saith the Lord, and you must begin with rending and breaking of the heart, if you think of prepa∣ring a sacrifice fit to appease me. And I, the sad Prophet of your otherwise-imminent de∣struction, advise you to make such a conversion to the Lord your God, a total alteration, and conversion of the heart. And then, be sure, when you have so wounded your hearts, to rend all sin from them, he can heal them again. For, He is so gratious a Father, that he can re∣ceive a prodigal, when he returns home to God, and himself. He is so merciful, that he is ready to make his mercy triumph over all his, and our works. He is so slow to anger, that

when he hath expected, till justice can no lon∣ger defer the blow, yet he can then be entreat∣ed, and reconciled, when he is ready to strike. He is of so great kindnesse, that he is wil∣linger to repent of the evil of punishment, then we are to forsake the evil of sin.

14. His threats, and his punishments aim not at our destruction, but onely at our amend∣ment. Our utter ruine must be drawn upon us by our selves: but if our hearty return will pre∣vent it, we may yet hope to find him all-mer∣ciful, and mercie it self. Therefore though the sentence seem to be irreversibly passed against us, yet(q) who knows not? (there is no doubt but) that upon our returning to Him by re∣pentance, he may return to us, and repent of the punishment. And leave behind him (with our deliverance from the enemy) a blessing not upon our sad souls onely, but also upon our afflicted, and macerated bodies: and upon our estates too, that are even ready to be taken all away by (an army of locusts) a populous and cruel nation. Thus may our fasting, and mourn∣ing be turned into feasting, and joy, & thank∣ful expressions of our selves in a meat-offering, and drink-offering to the Lord our God.

15. Therefore do you, that are Priests, show your selves forwardest in this work; you that are to take care for others, as well as your selves. Call the people together, (as you use to do) by the sound of a trumpet in Sion: put them in mind, by a holy Fast, to castigate the body, and spend a day in holy exercises. Call for such an Assembly.

16. Thus gather the people, to joyn together in prayer, and other holy exercises: wherein the elder men should lead the way to others by their good example, and compel them by their authority. And as children, and sucking in∣fants are concerned in the common danger, so let them bear a part in the publick humilia∣tion. And while all are so taken up with fast∣ing, mourning, and praying, let the Bridegoom also, and the Bride, leave their Bride-chamber, and their mirth, for that time turning their ornaments into sack-cloth, and their joy into weeping.

17. Above all other let the Priests, whose work it is mainly to intend the service of God, and who are many wayes concerned both in the conversion and wellfare of the people, and as many wayes obliged to be earnest suiters unto God, in their behalf. Let them offer up their prayers, and tears for the people com∣mitted to their charge: and offer them up

between the (r) Porch, and the Altar (as inter∣posing their intreaties between a sinful people, and their angry God) Wherein (as wholly taken up with the necessities of the people) Let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, which thou hast purchased to thy self with thy migh∣ty hand. Let not thine own inheritance hear that reproach of the heathen, for being in a manner forsaken by God, whom they pretend to serve: which must needs tend to the disho∣nour of God, and the disparagement of his power, and love to his own servants, as our enemies will apprehend it, while they do thus insult, and domineer over us in our great mi∣sery. And of his honour we are to be more tender, then of our own delive∣rance.

18. These are the likeliest means to move the Lord, not onely to be merciful to his people, and willing to spare them, but zealous also in their behalf, even to the turning of his anger upon their cruel enemies: (s) with the same affection, wherewith a husband would re∣venge the injuries of his beloved spouse.

19. In which affection, what answer can the Lord make to the true repentance of his afflict∣ed servants, and the humble supplication of

their Priests, but that, which shall carrie with it, a supply of their present wants, and necessi∣ties, by plenty of corn and wine and oil, and whatsoever else may serve to the taking away of their reproach among the heathens, as well as the confirming of his reconciliation with them, by such a new, and ample encrease of their store.

20. These blessings should have been se∣conded by others upon their true repentance (for, Gods favours use not to go alone.) There∣fore hear the words of that gratious conditio∣nal promise to them. After you are, so well provided for, I will remove far from you the Northern army, saith the Lord. Those hungry locusts of Assyria, and Chaldaea, your first and worst enemies, shall be sent far enough from Iudaea, (the garden of the world) to a barren, and dry land: his army, by the way, scattered, and divided, the foreparts from the extreamest, as much as the East of the Mediterranean Sea is divided from the Western parts. And in the end, the corrupt smell of the poor reliques of all their great forces, shall be as unsavory in the nostrils of such, as shall be witnesses of their ruine, and, after that, in the memorie of those, that shall make mention of their power: as all their attempts were proud, and insolent, and in∣tollerable against the land of Israel.

21. The whole land may turn their fear into joy and gladnesse, as soon as God begins to show, what great things he can do for them, when they are rid of such devouring locusts, and so secured of the quiet enjoying of that plenty, (t) which I said, their repentance, and amend∣ment of life may procure for them, from a merciful and gratious God, that plainly appears great in whotsoever he doth.

22. This may be the effect of our repen∣tance. But such temporal promises of plenty, and safety here, are shadows of greater hap∣pinesse, and security from our ghostly enemies, by the coming of the Messias. And therefore somewhat shall now be added in speculation of that. To shadow the time of his coming, before which, the general Peace, and plenty of all things, shall seem to usher in the great Peace∣maker: I may speak to the cattel (such as we (u) heard awhile ago crying out for want of food) and tell them, that our happinesse, in the near approach of the Messias,, shall not begin without some comfort to the very beasts of the field. For, The Pastures of the wildernesse shall (x) put on the face of joy, and the colour, which they delight in. And the trees, if they show not the same colour, shall show such plenty and va∣riety

of fruit, as shall best expresse them to be in a flourishing estate. Among them, the Fig-tree, and the vine (that we most enquire after) shall show the choicest (y) fruit in their kind, that we could expect from them.

23. And while the earth, and trees, and dum Creatures partake of so much refreshment: much more shall our hearts be enlarged with spiritual joy, and comfort. Therefore do you Citizens of Jerusalem, and inhabitants of Ju∣daea, or you rather that make up the true Israel of God, and members of the holy Church, whereof Ierusalem is a type, Do you studie how to expresse the solace, and content, that must needs follow upon the coming of the Messiah, the true Doctor, and Teacher of Righteousnesse: which, under the same (z) name, shall bring you the best rain, and showers from Heaven (in the preaching of his holy word) both the first rain, that helps up the first hopes of fruit, and the latter rain, which shall, in due time, secure us of a happy harvest (in the higher, and more spiritual sense of the successe of the Gospel.)

24. Such a happy harvest, under the Messias his Kingdom, will fill all places with plenty of spiritual food. The richest flower of the best

wheat: the most, and best liquor from the choicest Vine, and Olive will be but poor emblemes, and figures of it.

25. This plenty will obliterate the memory of your former greatest famine, or what other mise∣ry happened to the body, from those mighty ar∣mies of hungry locusts, the Grassehoppers, Cank∣erworms, Caterpillers, and Palmerworms, that I sent among you. This plenty will be abundant recompense for those times of want, and di∣stresse.

26. For, if you will bring souls hungry, and thirsty, and longing to be refreshed with the best cordials, and the true manna, the food of life that came down from Heaven. It is to be had without money: You may freely eat, and be fully satisfied: and have cause enough to return all possible praise and thanksgiving to the Lord your God, for those wonderful unspeak∣able mercies, which may further oblige you to a confident, and constant devoting of your selves to his service, without any more revolt∣ing, or forsaking of him, as if you were ashamed of your profession.

27. To which end, you shall see enough to make you know, that I am in the midst of Israel, and I am the Lord your God, and no other beside me, (whether we understand it of our Saviours corporal presence, and dwelling here, as God,

and Man: or of his invisible assistance, and go∣vernment of his Church.) Therefore I might well (a) say that you shall be sufficiently obliged to his service, and to such a trust, and confi∣dence, and joy in Him, as shall make you triumph in your holy Calling, rather then any way be a∣shamed of it.

28. After these times of your enjoying the happy sight of the Messias, I will also send down my holy Spirit, in a visible form, and bestow his Spiritual Graces in such abundance upon all sorts of men (though they are but flesh and blood) that some, even illeterate persons) men, and women of your own nation shall show the power of a divine prophetick spirit,(b) to the speedy, and successeful propagation of the gospel. To which, in the fuller progresse, there shall not a little be added, by that, which in (c) dreams, and visions shall be revealed, not onely to some of the elder, but to some also of the younger sort.

29. And as no sex, or nation: so neither any rank or order of men, bond or free, masters or servants, shall be excluded from this high privi∣ledge of partaking of the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

30. Not long after this prosperous begin∣ning,

and divulging of the gospel, many prodi∣gious signs will appear as presages, and fore∣runners of the fearful destruction of Ierusalem, (the sad punishment of their rebellion, and un∣belief) wonders in heaven and earth, beside the effusion of much blood, in the slaughter of many men in several places: and the flames of fire, and pillars of smoak, that will appear in the burning and destroying of many Towns.

31. Upon which there will follow such a dark, and dismal aspect, and alteration of the glorious light above, as will plainly fore-speak a sad and bloody confusion, and alteration in the Jewish state: that under the Romans ex∣ceeding, and compleating that under the Chal∣deans of the great, and terrible day of the Lords coming in judgement against this sinful nation.

32. Yet in all this misery, as the severity of God will be seen in the destruction of obstinate sinners: so his mercy and succour will not be ex∣cluded from any that call upon Him, with an obedient faith. Sion, and Ierusalem shall not then want such a means of deliverance. And that mercy shall be continued for ever to the rem∣nant of the Iews, that will obey the voice of their Messias in the Gospel, the voice of their Lord God, that shall call them to repentance.

CHAP. III.

1. FOr behold, in those dayes, and in that time, when I shall bring a∣gain the captivity of Iu∣dah and Ierusalem.

2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the vally of Ieboshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people, and for my heri∣tage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

3 And they have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girle for wine, that they might drink.

4 Yea and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recom∣pense? and if ye recom∣pense me, swiftly and spee∣dily will I return your re∣compense upon your own head.

5 Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your Temples, my goodly plea∣sant things.

6 The children also of Iudah, and the children of Ierusalem have ye sold un∣to the Grecians, that ye might remove them farre from their border.

7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place whi∣ther ye have sold them, and wil return your recompense upon your own head.

8 And I will sell your sons and your daughters in∣to the hand of the children of Iudah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off, for the Lord hath spoken it.

9 Proclaim ye this a∣mong the gentiles: prepare war, make up the mighty men, let all the men of war

draw near let them come up.

10 Beat your plow shares into swords, and your pru∣ning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

11 Assemble your selves and come all ye heathen, and gather your selves to∣gether round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord.

12 Let the heathen be wakened, & come up to the valley of Iehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe, come, get you down, for the press is full, the fats overflow, for the wickedness is great.

14 Multitudes, multi∣tudes in the valley of deci∣sion: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

15 The sun and the moon shall be darkned, and the Stars shall withdraw their shining.

16 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Ierusalem, and the heavens and the earth shall shake, but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the Children of Israel.

17 So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Ieru∣salem be holy, and there shall no strangers passe tho∣row her any more.

18 And it shall come to passe in that day; that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the bills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Iudah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, & shall water the valley of Shittim.

19 Egypt shall be a de∣solation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Iudah, because they have shed innocent bloud in their land.

20 But Iudah shall dwel for ever, & Ierusalem from generation to generation.

21 For I wil cleanse their bloud, that I have not clean∣sed, for the Lord dwels in Zion.

CHAP. III.

A Prophesie of what shall happen, after a longer, and more uncertain time, in the vally of Ie∣hoshaphat, which (what particular place soever is chiefly intended) signifies a place, or several places, wherein God will please to exercise his judgement upon his, and the Churches enemies: at several times, and up∣on several occasions before the last Day of Iudgement: but compleatly then.

1. FOr, Behold, it shall come to passe (saith the Lord) in those dayes of the Messias (the times of the gospel) when I shall bring again the captivity of Iudah, and Ierusalem: ••. reduce all the true Israelites, Jewes, and Gentiles, into one fold, to be all under one Shepherd.

2. Then will I, as occasion serves, summon the enemies of the Church in all nations, and I will make them appear before me, (d) in the

vally of Iehosphaphat (or (e)in the place, where∣in I will execute my judgement) and there will I avenge the injuries done to my own Peo∣ple (the true Israel of God) mine inheritance: whose cruell enemies dispersed them through all the world, as if they would have taken posses∣sion of my own peculiar portion, and divided it, as their own haereditary possession.

3. In those particular dayes of Judgement (which will be as types, and forerunners of the Generall Iudgement that will, at last, over∣take all the enemies of the Church) it will ap∣pear, what scornes, and injuries have been put upon all the Saints of God. Particularly it will be made evident, that upon some of my People they have (f) cast lots: they have sold the children of Christians: an ingenuous young man have they made away for the price of an harlot, and a modest Virgin for a sum of money, that might furnish them with wine, to drink, and be merry.

4. And what have you to do with me, and my Church, saith the Lord. You that are as great, and close adversaries to the Christians, as ever the Tyrians, and Sidonians, and all the Tract of Palestine, were to the Jewes. Doth

your ill usage come in as a return of some in∣jury, that I and my People seem to have offer∣ed unto you? If you do either (g) provoke me with your ventrous, and first attempts, or pre∣tend any such (h) requital upon me, or mine. I shall very speedily take order, to return a just recompense upon your own heads.

5. And I may then truely say, that you have deserved it otherwise. For both silver and gold, and other precious things, which I bestow∣ed upon my People, those it will appear that you took away, thereby the better to furnish and adorn your own (i) Temples and Palaces.

6. Likewise the true Sons of mystical Iu∣dah and Ierusalem (the good, and constant Professors of my gospel) you sold, to the Gre∣cians, and other Merchants, with whom you had the like commerce, and so dispersed them thorough severall remote countries, that they might be far enough from returning to their own home.

7. But I shall as surely recall them, and re∣duce them safe out of those parts, to which you thought they had been confined, by your selling of them thither. And then I will requite you

in a like return of your deserts, upon your own pates.

8. For I will leave your Sons, and Daugh∣ters, upon the same termes, in the hands of those good Professours, whereof Iudah is the type. And they shall have power to dispose of them into far remoter parts, even as far off as the Sabeans. Because I have so determined to do, and have justly passed such a decree upon them.

9. Against which decree if you can have any hope to prevaile.(k) Bestir your selves to the purpose, and use all the meanes you can. Publish, or proclaim your war among what nations you think fit. Provide your self of the ablest auxiliaries, Put all your strength up∣on it. And leave not out a man, that can assist you in this enterprise. When you have done all you can, all will be but lost labour, against those my Servants, that I have resolved to defend.

10. Sell your plow-shares, and sythes, and other necessary instruments, and implements of your country-labour, to supply your selves the better with weapons, and engines of war. And let the weakest of all be encouraged to do some proper service to the cause.

11. Let your troopes, and Regiments out of severall nations multiply into a mighty army, and muster up all your forces together. There and then the Lord of Hostes hath his greater forces (of men, and angels, and the meanest creatures) that will quickly, and utterly rout the very flower, and strength of your most daring Souldiers: at the hearing of this short prayer, out of the mouth of his afflicted Ser∣vants, There (l) let thy mighty ones descend, O Lord, to the releif of thy people.

12. That Prayer will procure a Command, that shall rouse all the nations, that oppose the Church, and summon them personally to appear in the vally of Iehoshaphat, in the place which I shall appoint, there to sit in judgement against all nations on every side, that have been ene∣mies to Me, and my Church.

13. Upon this summons, Hear how God himself encourageth those, that he makes the executioners of his Justice. Come, put in your sithes, for there is a great harvest before you, the wickednesse of mine enemies is now ripe. Come down into this vally. For the wine-presse is full, it runs over for the exceeding abundance of their great, and bloudy offences, (for that may

be intimated in the overflowing of the blood of the grape)

14. O the multitudes of hereticks, schisma∣ticks, irreligious, and profane livers! O the vast companies of Atheists, Idolaters, Tyrants, and other malicious enemies of the true Profession, and Service of God, that, methinks, I see now making their appearance in the vally of Jeho∣shaphat (or devine judgement) that may now be called the valley of (m) decision (where they shall receive their doom) or the vally of threshing after the harvest (where their pu∣nishment shall begin) For now, after they have enjoyed their time, the day of the Lord the time of divine vengeance) is ready to come upon them, in the valley of decision, and of threshing.

15. At the approach of this terrible day, the world will seem to be all in confusion. They that were the light, and glory of their times, and as eminent, and conspicuous in the sphaere of their government, as the Sun, and Moon, and Stars, are in the firmament of hea∣ven, shall be suddenly obscured, and loose their light.

16. The Lion of the tribe of Iudah shall roar out of Sion, to the terrour of all his ene∣mies.

When he first utters his voice, as the de∣fender of Ierusalem (i. of his holy Church whereof Jerusalem was a figure) though the powers of heaven, and earth may shake, yet

they that trust in him, will stand as firm as mount Sion, that cannot be moved,

The Lord will shew himself our refuge, and the strength of the Israel of God.

17. After the roaring of the Lion, will you hear the comfortable voice of the Lamb of God. Thus shall ye know (saith he to his Servants) thus shall you see, that I am the Lord your God, that dwell in my Church, as in my Sion, my holy mountain. Thus shall you be assured that my Ierusa∣lem, my Church, is holy, and therefore shall be secured from the unhallowed hands of those strange children, that shall not be suffered, so insolently and triumphantly as they have done, to go thorough her any more.

18. After this treading the wine-presse of the wicked, and threshing of their har∣vest: we are onely to hear of the hap∣pinesse of the Church. For, then shall the mountains drop new wine to her, (for her stronger Saints) and the hils shall flow with milk, (fit nourishment for her yet tender babes) And all the rivers of this

mysticall Iudah (n) shall with waters of life (to refresh all) And to this end, a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, to supply the sacred Font, which is placed in the lower part of the Church, like a little valley of Shittim, which is the (o) embleme of a vessel that will not pu∣trifie.

19. And then while Egypt, and Edom, (i. e. great enemies of the Church) shall lie ruinous, and desolate, because of the innocent blood, which they have shed in the true Iudah, (the Church of God.)

20. Iudah in the mean while (the holy Church) shall dwell safe, aud the true Je∣rusalem shall be comforted with a true, and last∣ing felicity.

21. And the blood of the Saints, (p) which I did not before manifest to be pure, and innocent, and therefore most unjustly spilt, that shall I, even by that meanes, declare to be pure, and innocent, namely by the exemplary (q) punishment of their execu∣tioners.

And thus will God ever abide with his Church, and preserve his Servants in their greatest dangers, or reward them with that which shall exceed a present de∣livery, and be a sufficient vindication of their vertue, and innocence.

Notes

• (a)

  For most take them to be the emblemes of sierce, and cruel nations, out of the sixth verse. And it is familiar in the Scripture, to describe unruly, and vast armies, by such creatures, as are wholly for devastation. Nor can it be meant of Pul, and Salma∣nasar, because Joel prophesieth not against the ten tribes, but a∣gainst Judea (unlesse it be understood of the want and calamitie, that thence afflicted Judea, which had many provisions out of Israel.
• (b)

  ut•• contrà ridere prata dicuntur, in summâ copiâ.
• (c)

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

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

  This is implied in the close of the verse.
• (f)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 perplexum esse, turbari.
• (g)

  Plur. cum verbo sing
• (b)

  Sic optimè exponitur ••x Hebroeis, qui Ioelem Manisse 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 esse volunt.
• (i)

  Sic in Actis Apost. cap. 2. Exponuntur aliquot loca hujus cap. de eversione urbis Hieros••l. post Messiam, per Rumanos, quae Ioel primari•• dixisse videt••r de excidio per Chaldaos.
• (k)

  Vrilli. c, 1 v. 6,
• (l)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ollae nigredinem significat.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 habet sig∣nificationem mora••: & pignoris.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 habet sig∣nificationem morae: & pignoris.
• ‖

  Via utram que, notionem habet.
• ‖

  Via utram que, notionem habet.
• (m)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 discurrent (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) crura agitabunt (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 crus.
• (m)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 discurrent (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 crura agitabunt (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 crus.
• (n)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 versu praced.
• (o)

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

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 who knows but that•• i. who knows not, that—nam In∣terrogativa, apud Hebroeos, magis affirmant.
• (r)

  Entrance or Atrium•• populi.
• (s)

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

  Vide v. 19.
• (u)

  Vide c. 1. 20.
• (x)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 germinabunt, virescent.
• (y)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vim suam, their uttermost strength.
• (z)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Et Doctorem & pluviam significat.
• (a)

  v. praced.
• (b)

  Act. 2.
• (c)

  Vt (in Actis) Petro, & aliis.
• (d)

  A figure of this divine help, and delivery of Gods people, un∣der the gospel, was that miraculous victory in the vally of Jeho∣shaphat. 2. patal. 20, 26. therefore that name is made use of here.
• (e)

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

  haec forte, & gentes in Iudaeos faclitarunt: sed longè majora hostes Evangelii in Christianos.
• (g)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 utramque notionem in duere potest, & retribuendi, & provo∣candi, i. de eo etiam dicitur, qui prior contulit beneficium, vel malefi∣cium.
• (h)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 leviter. & celeriter, i. quam primum.
• (i)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 utrumque significat.
• (k)

  Sarcasmus.
• (l)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Imperativo sic exponi porest. Fac fortes tuas descen∣dere, Domine, (in auxilium tuoru••••)
• (m)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 decisionem, vel decretum: & tribulam, vel traham signi∣ficat, incisionibus plenam ad frumentum excutiendum.
• (n)

  lege, shall run with waters, &c.
• (o)

  vide Hieron. & Lyranum.
• (p)

  subauditur hic 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut recte Hieron.
• (q)

  vide v. 16, 17, 19.