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1. WOe be to you (both of Iudah, and Israel) that (taking no pitie upon others in great want and distresse: nor aba∣ting any thing of your jollitie and luxurie to relieve them: nor so much as being thankful to God for what you enjoy) do live in ease, and security, in Sion and Samaria, never troubled with any remorse for your sins, or any fear of the punishment, that hangs over your heads.
You that trust (not in God, but) in the strength of Mount Sion, and the mountain of Samaria; securing your selves, in that you have found out a shelter in Syria, Egypt, and other conn∣tries, and are (u) called by the names of the chief of those great men in other nations, to (x) whom the house of Israel use to (y) apply themselves, as to their noble Patrons, and Pro∣tectors, in time of danger.
2. That you may know, how you do but flatter your selves, in relying upon such forein hopes, go to Chalne (a famous Citie in Assyria) and Hamath the great (once the glorie of Syria) Thence come nearer unto Gath, the chief strength of the Philistims. Inquire first, what happen∣ed to them: then let this question be asked of your selves. Are (z) you in a better estate, then these eminent places in those Kingdoms? or do you extend your borders wider then they did? have you larger possessions then they had? Why then do not you admonish your selves, by their example, that your glorie may be laid in the dust, as theirs was?
3. (a) Wo be to you, that perswade your selves, the time of affliction is far enough from you, and therefore you may be the bolder with your too-much authority over others, and domi∣neer, as in a throne of ease, and liberty, and op∣pression.
4. Wo be to them that lie upon sumptuous, and large Ivorie beds, where they have room enough to stretch themselvss in wantonnesse and lazinesse. And, after that ease, are wont to pamper themselves at a full and costlie ta∣ble, feeding upon the tenderest, choicest lambs, that can be found in all the flock: and calves purposely fatted for them in the stall.
5. Wo be to them, that spend too much of their time in mirth, and jollitie: singing divi∣sion to the (b) sound of the Psalterie, and other rare instruments of Musick, which they have made special choice of for themselves. And to which they think they have as fair a pretense, in the abuse of Musick, as King David had to delight himself in his Heavenlie Hymns, or otherwise to recreate, and refresh himself with it, when he was tired with his more serious employments.
6. Wo be to them that make too much of themselves, and show no pitie of others: drink∣ing
their wine (not in little cups, as others do, but) in great bowls (to drown the memorie of all sorrow) and annointing themselves with costly ointments (not moderatelie for health, and neatnesse, as is the custom in the Eastern parts, but wantonlie in excesse) As not asha∣med to show their vanitie and profusenesse in expenses upon themselves, while they spare litle, or nothing for the relief of their (c) own countrymen, that are in need, and miserie.
7. Therefore, after a little while, they shall go in the head of the captives (among them, that are first carried into captivitie) because they were ever ready to be the first ringleaders to all sin. And there will be a speedy end of all the banquets (even the (d) funeral banquets) of those luxurious feasters, that stretched them∣selves, as they pleased, upon their beds.
8. For the Lord God hath sworn by Himself, saith the Lord God of Hosts, (i. He himself hath assured us, that He hath passed this, as an unchangeable decree, saying) I abhor the pride of all the children of Israel, and whatsoever they use to boast of, though it be the Temple it self. Therefore not that onelie, but their Palaces, and greatest buildings (raised out of
briberie, and extortion, and for that cause ha∣ted by me: Their Cities also and People, (or whatsoever it is wherewith they are now plenty∣fully stored) will I, when I see my time, give up into the power of a cruel enemie.
9. And if it chance, that some few (escaping the furie of war) be left in one house: they also shall perish, (by famine, or pestilence, or some other untimelie death.)
10. Then if the Vncle, or any near kinsman, to one that dies in the house, shall come thither to order that the dead corps may be thence re∣moved, and burned (to prevent the infection of others) If he shall say to any one that is (e) within the house, Be there any more left alive with thee? One of the house shall an∣swer, None are left, they are all dead, or un∣likelie to live. Then he shall reply; (f) Say no more, if that be the case of them. Leave thy tears, and complaints, and be quiet, and pa∣tient. It is too late for us now, to betake our selves, by praiers, to the name of Almighty God. This is the time of his just vengeance, for our mentioning him so little before, and having our idols so often in our mouths.
11 Now we must all look for a heavy blow. For God will command our enemies, the exe∣cutioners
of his wrath, to smite all houses, Palaces, and Cotages alike, with such breaches, and (g) ruines, as shall not easily be repaired, (utter ruines will be seen in Israel, and great breaches in Judah.)
12. But I prophesie to them, that have no ears to hear, nor hearts that can be mollified. It is as hard, and unlikely a thing to move them to repentance, as to make horses run upon slip∣perie rocks, or oxen plow there, with good suc∣cesse. He must change the course of nature, that can do so. And he must work as great a miracle, that will prevail with them for repen∣tance and satisfaction, that have turned Iustice, and Righteousnesse (the sweetest of all vertues) into tyrannie, and oppression, which are as bitter, and unwelcome to the honest afflicted heart, as gall, and wormwood to the taste.
13. Wo be to you, that, from the root of pride, have brought forth such cruelty, and injustice, and yet are not humbled at the re∣proof it. You triumph in your own wealth, and puissance, and command which are as a matter of nothing. For you say, Have not we, by our own strength, and power, pushed down the strong forts of our enemies, as it were with horns,
which they were not able to resist, (h) and so made our selves glorious conquerours? But this arrogance will not arme, and de∣fend you against such adversaries as. I shall send.
14 For behold I will raise up against you (the Assyrians) a fierce, and potent nation, O house of Israel, saith the Lord God of Hosts. And as you have persecuted, and oppressed the poor righteous man, so they shall oppresse and hunt after you, and drive you before them from one corner of the Countrie to another: from the entring in of Hamath, (near (i) Epiphania) to that which is called the (k) river of the plain, or of the wilder∣nesse because of the barren, and desert pla∣ces, through which it runs) that you may be pursued in the very place, which you boast that you have (l) added to the Kingdom of Israel.
Hinc apud Iudaeos, Antipatri, Alexandri, Aristobuli, Drusillae: possumus tamen exponere 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 omnium gentium, no∣min atissimos, vel famosissimos, eoque nomine superbos.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (Va•••• pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉)
venditare, est applicare se, & in eorum tutelam se reci∣pere.
Est n. Enallage numeri. vel, si Israelitarum terram uberi∣urem dicit, innuit eorum ingratitudinem.
Repete ex. v. 1.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
Sic supra, c. 5. 6. habu••mus domum Joseph pro populo Israelitico.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pr. convivium funebre.
In femoribus domus.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pro 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
4 Reg. 14.
Vr Hieron.
Al, mare mortuum. Alii Nilum hic intelligun••.
4 Reg. 14. 25.