A fruitfull commentarie vpon the twelue small prophets briefe, plaine, and easie, going ouer the same verse by verse, and shewing every where the method, points of doctrine, and figures of rhetoricke, to the no small profit of all godly and well disposed readers, with very necessarie fore-notes for the vnderstanding of both of these, and also all other the prophets. The text of these prophets together with that of the quotations omitted by the author, faithfully supplied by the translatour, and purged of faults in the Latine coppie almost innumerable, with a table of all the chiefe matters herein handled, and marginall notes very plentifull and profitable; so that it may in manner be counted a new booke in regard of these additions. VVritten in Latin by Lambertus Danæus, and newly turned into English by Iohn Stockwood minister and preacher at Tunbridge.

CAP. 5.

Vers. 1.

Then I turned me, and lift vp mine eyes, and looked, and be∣hold, a flying booke.

THe Church being ordained and established, God teacheth what he requireth at her hand, namely, that she liue holily, godly, and iustly: otherwise he threatneth that he will be a sharpe iudge and reuenger of her sinnes, as wel as of other mens. And albeit that God hereafter teach that wickednesse and vngodlinesse shall neuer bee ••anting in the whole earth, no not in his owne Church, so long as she shall be in this world: yet he sheweth where, and when this vn∣godlines shalbe as it were double and two-fold, that is to say, more ••boundant. The which thing is set downe in the end of this chap∣ter. Now iniquitie shall be more aboundant among the enemies of his Church, the Chaldeans in times past: now all other, which doe hate the trueth of God. Whereof it commeth to passe that God threatneth that there among them his iudgements also shall there∣fore bee the greater, nay doubled. This is the summe of this chap∣ter, the which sheweth the state of the world which thē should be, and the condition thereof after the times of Zacharias which were to come, rather then the condition alreadie past. And it doth not a∣lone containe those iudgements, which God will send vpon the ad∣uersaries

and enemies of his Church: but those also the which he will lay vpon the Church her selfe because of her sinnes. And this chapter containeth three distinct or seuerall visions, of the which this is the first, the which declareth the iudgements of God against the Church alreadie established, set vp, and founded. And together with the vision the interpretation thereof is also deliuered by the Angell.

As for this first verse, the same doth declare two things. First, that now there is a new argument or matter shewed or told vnto the Prophet, although it bee ioyned with the former, to wit, what shall fall out vnto the Church now established. Whereof it commeth to passe that the Prophet is sayd afresh to haue lifted vp his eyes, and beheld, and yet standing still, and abiding in the same place, & not turning his eyes into any other side from the beholding of the An∣gel expounding vnto him the former promises. So then this vision, the which appertaineth vnto the declaring of the state that should be of the Church now restored, is shewed vnto the Prophet there in the same place. [unspec 2] Secondly, the Prophet commendeth this vision by the cause, for that it is heauenly, that is, from heauen, and shewed him from thence, from an high place, whereunto belongeth this, that the Prophet is sayd to haue lifted vp his eyes on hie, and there to haue seene the things which he now telleth. He also commendeth this vision by the greatnes, or description of the thing it selfe, the which hath three things worthie to be noted. For he seeth, first, a volume or booke written. Secondly, him flying, and not stan∣ding onely in one place. Thirdly, in length twentie cubites, and in breadth ten cubites, that is, a booke of a fearfull, bignes, vnusuall, & of such a bignes as was neuer heard of before, as is set downe in the verse following. And these typicall or figuratiue things agree ve∣rie well with their signification, to wit, with the curse, or iudgemēts of God against men, namely, both these, and all others because of their sinnes. [unspec 1] For the curse or punishment of them is written, both long sithence, and at large ratified in the law of God, Deut. 28. and in many things, so that men, except they needes will, cannot be ig∣norant of it, for as much as it is written at the full. Wherefore when as God doth execute it, he sheweth the force and trueth of his law, or word written, and ratifieth the authoritie thereof. Secondly, this booke flieth, [unspec 2] because that the Lord is angrie not onely with one people, or sinfull nation of the world, but withal the sinful nations of the world. For as it is Rom. 2. ver. 9. Tribulation and anguish shall

be vpon the soule of euery man that doth euill, of the Iew first, and also of the Grecian. For God is not onely the God of the Iewes, but also of the Gentiles, as Paul sayth Rom. 3. ver. 29. and therefore will alike punish the sinners in both nations, that is, in all nations whatsoe∣uer, that are offenders. Therefore this punishment and curse pro∣nounced by God against sinne, wandreth & rangeth into the whole world, and into all nations. Thirdly, [unspec 3] this booke is of such an huge∣nes as hath not been heard of, and as is to bee wondred at, because that those iudgements of God are most hard vnto vs, and it is a fearfull thing to fall into his hands Hebr. 10. ver. 31. Last of all, this booke hath the sinnes of all nations written, and not of one nation only. Therefore this must needes be a great volume or booke, and along, and a large.

Vers. 2.

And he sayd vnto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying booke: the length thereof is twentie cubites, and the breadth thereof ten cubites.

AN exhortation, whereby the Angel warneth the Prophet, and stirreth him vp to behold and marke this vision diligently and throughly. For the counsailes and helps of God are not to be heard, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 receiued carelesly, or without regard.

Vers. 3.

Then sayd he vnto me, This is the curse that goeth forth o∣uer the whole earth: for euery one that stealeth, shall be cut off as well on this side, as on that: and euery one that sweareth, shall be cut off as well on this side, as on that.

A Plaine and cleere interpretatiō of the former vision, the which containeth two things. First, what that volume or booke sig∣••ifieth. Secondly, why it flyeth vp and downe in the ayre, and stan∣deth not in some certaine place. As for the signification of this vo∣l••me or booke, it signifieth, and representeth that punishment, an∣ger, vengeance, and curse of God, the which God by his law writ∣ten enacted, and pronounced against sinne and sinners, Deut. 28. Exod. 20. Ephes. 5. ver. 5.6. whose words are these: For this ye know, that no whoremonger, neither vncleane person, nor couetous person, which is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ, and of God. Let no man deceiue you with vaine words: for, for such things commeth the wrath of God vpon the children of disobedience.

And Coloss. cap. 3. ver. 5.6. Mortifie therefore your members which are on the earth, fornication, vncleannes, the inordinate affec∣tion, euill concupiscence and couetousnes, which is idolatrie. For the which things sakes the wrath of God commeth on the children of dis∣obedience.

Now why this booke flieth, the reason is, that looke whereso∣euer those sinnes shall bee and shall raigne, there also the iudge∣ment of God must be looked for, for to come, as well here, that is among the Iewes, as in the rest of the earth, or any other part of the world. So then whether on this side, that is in Iudea, or on that side, that is, in other parts of the world, any such men, that is, sinners doe appeare, they shall be punished by God.

Vers. 4.

I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hostes, and it shall enter into the house of the thiefe, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remaine in the middest of his house, and shall consume it, with the timber thereof, and with the stones thereof.

THis is a most assured denuntiation of that punishment and vengeance against sinners rehersed before, the which contei∣neth three things. First, a very earnest affirmation, or auouching of the punishment to come, the which is not onely ordeined by that same almightie God, but also commanded to be put in exe∣cution: for thus much signifieth the word I will bring forth, or I will send, saith the Lord Iehouah, this punishment vpon them. Se∣condly, is to be noted, against whom it is threatned, to wit against all those which haue broken either the first, or the second table of the law of God. For vnder the name of theeues, the Prophet com∣prehendeth the whole second table by the figure Synecdoche: and by the name of those that sweare by the name of God in vaine, the first table of the same lawe. But theftes and periuries are chiefeliest rehearsed, because that those sinnes at that time did e∣speciallie raigne among men. Thirdly, how great this punishment or vengeance of God shall be, that is to say, both of long conti∣nuance, and consuming not onely the sinner himselfe, but also all that euer he hath, as for example, his house, and his other goods: the which the Lorde shall touch and strike, not onely with some small losse or hurt, but also shall vtterly destroy, so that, neither wood nor timber, nor the stones of his house shall remaine. For

by these words an vniuersall wasting, rasing, and fearefull destruc∣tion is described, and such a one as Christ mentioneth vnto his disciples should fall vpon the temple of Ierusalem, whose braue building they in a wonderment at the same shew vnto him, vnto whom he answereth Mat. ••4. ver. 2. See ye not all these things? ve∣relie I say vnto you, there shall not be here left a stone vpon a stone, that shall not bee cast downe. And out of this there are gathered two things. First, that God is the punisher of the sinnes of euerie man, and that no man can escape the hands of God. Secondly, that the punishments, miseries, and afflictions, which are felt in the world, are sent by God for the sinnes of the world, & are the iust plagues of God for the contempt of men towards him.

Vers. 5.

Then the Angell that talked with mee, went forth, and said vnto me, lift vp now thine eyes, and see what is this that go∣eth forth.

AN other vision, the which is as it were an appendix, or a hang∣by, and addition vnto the former, as the third also is, the which followeth hereafter. And the end of these visions is, to shew: first, that God seeth all the sinnes of the world, or of men, and their wickednes, lye it neuer so hidden: secondly, that the same is re∣strained, [unspec 1] and kept vnder by God, that it breake not through all, [unspec 2] and ouercome, and rush through all things: finallie, [unspec 3] that there is by God a certaine stint, and place appointed vnto it, where it may ra••ge more freelie, and at more libertie. Which thing the vision following doth declare. But in this verse the entrance or prepara∣tion vnto the second vision is contained, where both the person shewing the vision, and also his talke is to bee noted. The person shewing this vision, is in deed the same Angell, who hath all this while before talked with the Prophet: but now he is said to haue gone some what further, as it were from the side of the Prophet by whom he stood, that by this gesture, and going forward he might stirre vp the Prophet to the diligent beholding of the vision, and might signifie that a matter of great weight was now in hand∣ling, to the beholding of the which also the Angell himselfe went forth, that is, the which he desired to beholde. Here then God doth stirre vs vp vnto the diligent both noting, and also learning of this so high a vision, and so great a testimonie or witnes of his proui∣dence, wisdome, power, and iustice. And to this end also appertei∣neth

the speech or talke of the Angell. For the same is an earnest exhortation, that both the Prophet, and we also should bend the eyes of our bodie, and also of our minde vnto this sight and vi∣sion. Hereby appeareth how great our blockishnes or dulnes is, who except we be earnestlie warned by God, or by his seruants, doe with blinde eyes, and as it were winking, ouerpasse the nota∣ble workes and witnesses of his prouidence and power, although they be cleerelie before the eyes of all men.

Vers 6.

And I sayd, what is it? And he said, this is an Ephah that goeth forth. Hee saide moreouer, this is the sight or eye of them, through all the earth.

THree things were shewed vnto the Prophet, the first a farre off, so that he did not forthwith, nor yet distinctly see all things which were shewed him: then more neerelie. For wee doe goe forward by little and little, in the beholding and perceiuing of the workes of God, and doe by little and little profit in the same: and doe not out of hand, and at one instant conceiue and vnderstand all things. That therefore which is here first shewed vnto the Prophet, is diligently and earnestly to be beholden, It is an Epha, or a bushell. For in this place this word is generally taken, the which notwithstanding among the Hebrues hath the significati∣on, and is a kinde of a certaine measure. For this Epha was to be so big, that it might receiue and hold a whole woman, or a wo∣man vpright, and standing in it: or else sitting and leaning, or lying a side. The interpretation is set downe afterward. And this Epha went forth, and moued, and stood not in one place, but did flye through the whole earth. The interpretation is this, that by this figure is shewed, that the eye of the Lord doth see all wicked persons, or all wickednes and vngodlines, the which, as I saide be∣fore, flieth and rangeth vp and downe in the whole world. God then seeth the same, as before cap. 4. ver. 10. For as Dauid witnes∣seth Psalm. 34. ver. 16. The face of the Lord is against all them that doe euill, to cut off their remembrance from the earth. And this stinted figure and forme of the bushell or measure doth repre∣sent and shew, that God dooth in such sort see the wickednes of men, that hee dooth notwithstanding keepe it in within certaine boundes, limits, and within a certaine measure. For God will not, that according vnto the desire thereof, it shall rage, and breake

through, whether soeuer it listeth. For the rod of the wicked (as it is Psalm. 125. ver. 3.) shall not rest on the lot of the righteous, least the righteous put forth their hand vnto wickednes. And this eye of God, or this Epha, or bushell is moued and flieth, as wickednes it selfe is moued, and flieth: that we should know assuredly, that no∣thing can escape that vnsleepie eye of God, or eye that neuer slee∣peth. For as Dauid saith, Psalm 121. ver. 4. He that keepeth Israel, will neither slumber nor sleepe. And as the writer to the Hebrues af∣firmeth cap. 4. ver. 13. There is no creature, which is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and open vnto his eyes, with whom we haue to doe. Nothing therefore is hid from his eyes or sight, but all the wicked wheresoeuer they lye hidden, and in what place of the world soeuer they be, are found out, taken, and seene of it. So then, God, so farre forth as pleaseth him, and as he seeth to be meete, and expedient, dooth represse and keepe back the wicked, not only in his church, because he is not onely the keeper and preseruer of his church: but also in all places of the earth, be∣cause that he also is the keeper and preseruer of all mankinde, and of the societie or fellowship of man. For as Paul writeth 1. Tim. cap. 4. ver. 10. God is the Sauiour of all men, speciallie of those that ••••leeue.

Vers. 7.

And be hold, there was lift vp a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the middest of the Ephah.

OTher two things are now shewed vnto the Prophet, the which are parts of the same vision, to wit, a great masse or lump all of lead, and broad, the which afterward is made the couer of this Epha: secondly, a certaine woman, the which is cast into this bu∣shell, as it were by God being angrie with her, and in this bushell is she inclosed and shut in, as it were in a most strong prison. This Masse or couer was to be weightie, as which namely should bridle and keepe in the force, rage, and attempts of the wickednes of men, the which are wont to be most vehement and hard to be kept vnder. And therefore is it said to be of lead, [unspec 1] the which is a most weightie mettall. And doubtles such are the maners of men, al∣together lewd, vnrulie, and barbarous, whereas there reigneth no knowledge, nor worship of God, Psalm 10. Which disordered∣nes of things was then in the world in the last times of the Mo∣narchie or Empire of the Persians, vnto the which times these

things seeme properlie to appertaine, albeit that the doctrine of this place be also generall.

Vers. 8.

And hee saide, this is wickednes, and hee cast it into the middest of the Ephah, and hee cast the weight of lead vpon the mouth thereof.

THe interpretation of the two visions, and things lastlie shew∣ed vnto the Prophet, to wit, of the Woman, and of the Masse or lump of lead. The woman was a type or figure of the naugh∣tines of men, or of most lewd wickednes. For the prophet or God vseth such a word, as doth not signifie euery common corruption and loosenes of maners: but open wickednes, shameles, and old, the which conteineth both vngodlines towards God, and also in∣iustice towards men. This lewdnes therefore, albeit neuer so ma∣lapart and vnbrideled, doth God notwithstanding restraine, and dooth shut in within certaine boundes and measure, that it may not range at it owne pleasure: or preuaile, and corrupt or marre all things. Yea and God doth after this sort restraine it, being an∣grie with it. And therefore God is said to haue cast this woman into the bushell, or Ephah, and there to haue bound her, and shut her vp with a couer of lead, as it were in a prison that is most strong, that she may not without punishment rome about, flye a∣broad, ouer master, ouer runne, and corrupt all things at her plea∣sure. And so Reuelat. 9. ver. 4. The Locustes that came out of the smoke, and had power like vnto Scorpions, are commanded that they should not hurt the grasse of the earth, neither any greene thing, neither any tree, but onely those men, which had not the seale of God in their foreheads. And so cap. 20: ver. 2. The Angell is said to haue taken the dragon that old serpent, which is the diuell, and satan, and to haue bound him a thousand yeares, and cast him into the bottom∣les pit, and shut him vp, and sealed the doore vpon him, that he should deceiue the people no more, till the thousand yeares were fulfilled: for after that he must be loosed for a little season.

Wickednes is in this place set forth vnder the type or figure of a woman, because that like as the wit of a woman is suttle and craftie, and yet notwithstanding shee pleaseth and liketh men: so sinne and the wickednes of men is alwaies craftie, and yet it doth please and allure vs with the flatteries thereof.

Vers. 9.

Then lift I vp mine eyes, and looked: and behold, there came out two women, and the winde was in their wings (for they had wings like the wings of a Storke) and they lift vp the Ephal•• betweene the earth and the heauen.

THE third vision, or third part of this chapter, ioyned to the former, or agreeing with the former. For it declareth whither, that is, into what partes of the world that bushell or Epha, which had wickednes, and consequently the iudgements of God, shut ••p was to be caried, namely into Babylon, and the countries neere vnto it, that the Iewes which remained in that countrie, should speedilie get them out of it, and withdraw themselues out of so great danger, and vengeance of God, as it is in Isai cap. 48. ver. 20. Goe ye out of Babel: flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voyce of ioy, &c. For a great many of the Iewes after libertie and leaue gran∣ted vnto them by Cyrus to goe home, remained notwithstanding among the Babylonians, being entangled, allured, and bound with the entisements of the flesh, and little wealth, and some few ••••••hlie commodities, as appeareth 1. Chron. cap. 4. ver. 22.23. Where making mention of certaine of the posteritie of Iudah, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is shewed that they were rather moued to tarrie with the King, ••••d to follow their base occupations, then to returne with the rest of the people, preferring captiuitie before libertie, which thing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the place before named is reported thus: These were potters, and dwelt among plants and hedges (that is, followed their husbandry, and tillages:) there (that is, in Babylon) they dwelt with the King ••o•• his worke, that is, for the gaine which they had by seruing him in these trades. So then this place also sheweth, that the enemies of the Church, and such as doe afflict the same (as were the Baby∣lonians) shall in the ende bee most seuerelie or sharplie and for a ••••ng season punished by God.

But this verse conteineth two things. First, the maner of the shewing of this vision, the which the prophet reporteth briefelie: Secondly, the vision it selfe. The maner of the shewing of this vision, was altogether heauenly, like as were the rest before. For this third vision was also shewed from heauen, that it should bee ••o lesse certaine vnto vs, then the former. For the Prophet is said to haue seene it, when as hee had lifted vp his eyes to heauen, [unspec 1] or

vpward. And here the Prophet is not said to haue been admoni∣shed by the Angell, to looke, see, or behold: because that this vi∣sion was shewed vnto him immediatlie after the former, the time not being interrupted or broken off, that is, not some cer∣taine space after the former, but at the same very moment, or minu••e, and instant of time. Wherefore the Prophet being ra∣ui••hed as yet with the wondring at the former vision, of himselfe lifted vp his eyes vnto heauen, and there diligently beheld what was shewed vnto him. And this is a new vision, because that the Prophet is said againe to haue lifted vp his countenance. Now this vision was after this maner: [unspec 2] Two women with wings, and carried through the ayre with a pleasant winde, did carrie that same closed bushell or Ephah through the middest of the ayre, and that in such sort, that by reason of the neerenes of the place it might easilie, and certainely bee seene and beheld. And this bushell they cast downe into the land of Sennaar, that is, of Baby∣lon, where it had a place appointed for it by God, and that for a long season, to wit, that the wrath, and curse of GOD might re∣maine there, as it were foreuer, and continuallie, or at leastwise for a long season. For (as it is in the Psalme 74. ver. 8.) in the hand of the Lord is a cup, and the wine is red: it is full mixt, and he pow∣reth out of the same: surelie all the wicked of the earth shall wring out, and drinke the dr••gges thereof. And women carrie this bu∣shell, not men, for that like as wickednes was represented vnder the type or figure of a woman: [unspec 1] so also the iustice and wrath of God are set forth vnder the figure and shape of women, least that the meeting and mixing together of men and women in the same matter, and vision, might seeme to haue some impure and vncleane cogitation or surmising. [unspec 2] Secondly, that God may be vn∣derstood to bee able to execute his iudgements euen by most weake and feeble things, such as are women. There are two wo∣men, because that the anger and iustice of God doe alwaies fol∣low and waite vppon one another, and take punishment on the wickednes of men. So Psalm. 85. vers. 10. the mercie and truth of God, and righteousnes and peace are ioyned together: Mercie and trueth (saith Dauid) shall meete: righteousnes and peace shall kisse each other. These women are winged, that they may bee vnderstood to bee most swift, nimble, and readie to exe∣cute the vengeance of God, and to obey him. Finallie, they are

carried with the winde, that the Prophet might teach that all things serue for the vengeance of God, and that this iudgement of God shall be forthwith against the Babylonians, and therefore that the Iewes should not stay and remaine in those countries any longer.

Vers. 10.

Then said I to the Angell that talked with me, whether doe these beare the Ephah?

THE Prophet dooth aske the interpretation of the Angell, wherein he both sheweth his desire to the prophet, & shineth before vs as an example to doe the like. And the women are saide in such sort to beare the bushel, as if they would by and by throw it downe to the earth, to signifie the wrath of God, the which all creatures being the reuengers and instruments of God contem∣ned or despised, doe declare, when as they reuenge the contempt or despising of God against the vngodly.

Vers. 11.

And he said vnto mee, to build it an house in the Land of Shinar, and it shall be established and set there vpon her owne place.

THe interpretation of the vision, the which hath two parts. For he describeth both the place, and also the time or stay and continuance of this iudgement there. The place, where this bu∣shell or Ephah most full of the anger and vengeance of GOD was to be placed at the appoyntment of God, is the land of Sen∣naar or Shinar, that is, Babylon, or Chaldaea, and the countries nere vnto it, [unspec 1] the which had carried away the people of God into captiuitie, vsed them hardly, and intreated them cruellie, on the which the Lord will now take punishment. [unspec 2] The time of the con∣tinuance of the vengeance of God against the Babylonians shall be for a great season and long. For the vengeance of God shall re∣maine there established, and setled as it were in her foundation, out of the which it cannot afterward be easelie plucked, and pul∣led. Thus dooth the Lord punish his enemies in the end: albeit that whilest they afflict or trouble his church, they doe careleslie contemne or despise, and laugh God to scorne. For (as Dauid teacheth vs Psal. 75. ver. 8.) in the hand of the Lord is a cup, and the wine is red: it is full mixt, and he powreth out of the same: surelie all

the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drinke the dregs thereof. And as it is in the Psalm. 32. ver. 10. Many sorrowes shall come to the wicked: but hee that trusteth in the Lord, mercie shall compasse him. It seemeth that these selfe same things may bee applied vnto many nations of our time, which haue most hardlie afflicted the Church of God.

Notes

• What God re∣quireth of his Church.
• This chapter cōtaineth three seueral visions.
• Two parts of this verse.
• 1. A new matter shewed vnto the Prophet.
• The same com∣mended by the cause.
• Commended also by the greatnes of the matter.
• 1. Written.
• 2. Flying.
• 3. Of a strange length and breadth.
• The Prophet exhorted to take diligent heed to the vi∣sion.
• The interpre∣tation of the vision contai∣ning.
• 1. The significa∣tion of that booke.
• 2 Why it flyeth vp and downe in the ayre.
• The threat∣ning of punish∣ment contei∣ning.
• 1. The certaintie of the same.
• 2. Who are threatned.
• What the fi∣gure Synecdo∣che is, see Amos cap. 5. ver. 21.
• 3. The greatnes of the punish∣ment.
• Another vision depending on the former. The end of these visions.
• The person shewing thii vision.
• 2. His talke vnto the Prophet.
• The Prophet hath things shewed him at the first a farre off, and after∣ward more neerelie.
• The interpre∣tation of this vision of the Epha.
• Two other partes of the former vision.
• 1. A lump of lead.
• 2. A woman sit∣ting in the E∣phah.
• 2. The woman in t••e Ephah. Ri••••hgnah.
• Wickednes set forth vnder the figure of a woman.
• The third visi∣on.
• Thus is that place expoun∣ded by Treme∣lius, albeit that others of great learning doe vnderstand it otherwise, of such as serued King Dauid in these trades.
• Two parts of this verse.
• 1. The maner of shewing of this vision.
• 2. The vision i•• selfe.
• Women carrie this Ephah, and why?
• Two women.
• Winged.
• Carried with the winde.
• The prophet asketh the in∣terpretation of the Angell.
• The interpre∣tation contei∣ning.
• 1. The place.
• 2 The time.