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.

CHAP. I.

1. THe words,(a) or things Prophetically imparted to the knowledge of Amos, who was among the (b) Shepherds, or keepers of cattle in Tekoah (six miles from Bethlehem) which were famous for that employment. Thence was he called to be a Prophet, as Da∣vid, before that, from following of sheep, was chosen to be a Royal Prophet, by that wise, and merciful God, that chuseth the base things of the world to confound the wise. Now these things were revealed to Amos, concerning Israel, in the time of Uzziah King of Judah, and Je∣roboam, son of Joash, King of Israel: two years (c) before the Earthquake, that hap∣pened

in the reign of Vzziah, that was smitten with leprosie, for attempting upon the Priests office.

2. Amos being thus made a Prophet, his name agreed with the sum of his Prophesie. For 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (Amost) signifies a burden. And that is an ordinarie term in the holy Scripture for the Prophesie of a heavy punishment, denoun∣ced against a Nation, as this of Amos was a∣gainst many, specially against the ten Tribes, Against whom, what he had prophesied, was fulfilled by Salmaneser, that led them away captive into Assyria. 4 Reg. 17. 6. But let us hear the Prophet himself speak,

Thus said Amos. The Lord that delighted so much in Sion. and pleased to dwell between the Cherubims in his Temple at Ierusalem, is now so offended with the sins of Iudah, and Israel, that he sends an angry threatning voice from Sion, and Ierusalem, that may terrifie them both: specially those of Israel, the greater offenders. This terrible voice will have a doleful effect in the pleasant pastures of all those Shepherds, that have neglected their flock; and upon the Sheep that have turned Wolves against their Shepherds, and raised up Shepherds of their own choice, uncapable of the place. Carmel among others, even Carmel it self, which had the fattest pasture, and the

most numerous sheep, shall in the height and glory of it be withered and made no such place for their feeding.

3 What shall we think will become of the Gentiles, when Gods own people hear such sad tidings from the place of their joy, and com∣fort? Let us now hear that. For Syria Da∣mascena first. Thus saith the Lord. For so many foul sins of Damascus, as have filled up the full measure of their iniquity, and may be brought against them in the perfect number of seven, by the addition of four more to their first three, that were bad enough: For these (d) I will not restore Damascus to my wonted favour, or I will not recal that, which I have decreed against that place. Specially in that they heavily afflicted my people of Gilead (Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh) barbarously insulting over them, and (e) tram∣pling upon them, or rather (e) laying on them like thrashers, and abusing all alike. (As it was foretold by Elisaeus, in his words to Hazael, 4 Reg. 8, & 15.)

4. Therefore, in mine anger, I will send a furious enemie against them, which, like a fire,

shall sodainly deface and ruine the royal stru∣ctures erected by Hazael, when they shall be the Palaces of his son Benhadad.

5. And I will break the very strength of Da∣mascus, (their gates, fortresses, and whatsoever else it is, wherein they most confide) And I will pack away the inhabitants of the Plain of Aven: and with them the idolatrous Princes, that rule over (g) Beth-eden, and the neighbour-cities devoted to riot and luxury. For the Syrians shall be led captives into Kir, saith the Lord (by the hand of Tiglathpileser, King of Assyria.)

6. When they of Gaza in Palestine have made up the like (h) measure of their sins, the like punishment shall be as peremptorily decreed against them: specially because of their cruelty to those of Israel, that fled into their parts for refuge, upon the invasion of Sennacherib, whom, though they came (i) peaceably, and friendly to them, onely for relief, and no way to offer them any injury: yet they most inju∣riously sold them into Edom, as if they had been their own captives, and, by right of war, taken by themselves. Whereby they did as good as (k) imprison them among their capital ene∣mies,

and obstruct the means of their return unto their own home.

7. Therefore I will cause such warlike forces to come (from (l) Hezekiah to the wall of Gaza, as shall consume and burn that City, and all the fair buildings within it.

8. And the inhabitants of Azotus shall be tur∣ned out of doors, and the Rulers of Ascalon shall partake of the same justice with their Country∣men. Then (after that blow given to Gaza, Azotus, and Ascalon) I will turn my striking hand against Ekron also, and there the rest of the Philistims shall be destroyed (by the Assyrians) to the utter ruine of that people.

9. Thus saith the Lord, For the like over∣flowing of the (m) transgressions of Tyrus, in so full a measure, I will not be reconciled unto them, nor reverse the decree already passed against them. Because they used the like cru∣elty, that the Philistims did, against the poor Israelites, which came peaceably to them, but were sold away to the Edomites, as captives taken in war. And the Tyrians shall fare the worse, because (n) they so easily forgot the league, and friendship, that was (o) between their

King Hiram, and King David, and Solomon, and so between the succeeding Kings, (o) that used the stile, and love of Brethren: which, no doubt, was cause of much familiarity, and many kind offices among the subjects of either Nation, and was ill broken off for a matter of filthy lucre, in the sale of their confede∣rates.

10. Therefore will I send an enemie (from (p) Chaldaea) to the walls of Tyrus, that shall set most of the stately buildings of Tyrus on such a fire, as all the water above her shall not be able to quench.

11. The like measure of sin will draw the like (q) punishment upon Edom: because he was so unnaturally cruel to his Brethren, the posterity of Iacob, shewing no bowels of com∣passion to these Brethren of the same belly, but resting upon a violent, obstinate, implacable way of furious anger, transmitted as an hereditary vice to Posterity for ever. So did Edom strive to keep it ever alive, to his immortal shame for such impiety, and inhumanity against so near Allies.

12. Therefore (by Sennacherib, and his Soul∣diers) such flames of War shall be kindled in Teman, and Bozra, the two Cities of note in

the Countrey of Edom, as shall consume the fair Pallaces thereof.

13. And of another Nation affianced to the people of God, thus saith the Lord. For the (r) full measure of the transgressions of the Am∣monites, the Children of Lot: they shall receive the same D••om with the Edomites; the rather for their barbaro••s inhumanity, which sharp∣ned their weapons against the weaker Sex, to the ripping up of the matrones of Gilead, even when they were great with child. Not out of any provocation in war, but out of a mere covetous and (s) ambitions desire, to enlarge their territories.

14. Therefore a fearful fire shall be kindled by the walls of Rabbah (the gloriousest City of Animon) that, without difference of Sex, or Age, shall devour such as are found in the choicest Pallaces, and Mansions of the Ammo∣nites. It shall come in a violent, and (t) fearful way, with military clamours, and shouting of some, and skreeching of others. It shall come of a sodain, like a horrible storm, and tempest to the ruine, and devastation of the Country of Ammon.

15. Which shall be the sadder, and more irre∣coverable by the captivity of the King, and his

Princes: and their titular Deitie, and his Priests. For(u)Moloch himself (for all his Royal title) shall escape no better then the meanest of the people, that must yeeld to the furie of the war. For, The Lord hath spoken it.

Notes

• (a)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & ••es, & verba signif.
• (b)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may signifie either one that is onely a keeper of sheep; or one that is a master of sheep, as was Mesa King of Moab, that paid to the King of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and as many rams with the wool. 4. Reg. 3. 4. But Amos seems to have kept both sheep and greater cattle, see chap. 7. 15.
• (c)

  Sic 2. Cor. 12. 2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 — &c. Vide Hieron. & Iosephum. & Zach. 14. 5.
• (d)

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 metaph. ab iis, qui apud Iudaes fruges excutere solebant per instrumentae gravia, & fer••o munita. Simile de cribro. Luc. 22. 31.
• (e)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 metaph. ab iis, qui apud Iudaes fruges excutere solebant per instrumentae gravia, & ferio munita. Simile de cribro. Luc. 22. 31.
• (g)

  i. The place of pleasure.
• (h)

  Vt expnoitur v. 3.
• (i)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 captivitatem pacificam.
• (k)

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

  4 Reg. 18. 8.
• (m)

  Vt exposuimns, v. 3.
• (n)

  Vide v. 6.
• (o)

  Reg. 9. 13.
• (o)

  Reg. 9. 13.
• (p)

  Ezek. 26. 7. & chap. 27. & 28.
• (q)

  Sic exponitur, v. 3.
• (r)

  Vt exposuimus, v. 3.
• (s)

  Jer, 49. 1.
• (t)

  Jer, 49, 2.
• (u)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 per Regem eorum, vel Molochum exponi potest.