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.

Vers. 3.

Thus sayth the Lord, For three transgressions of Damascus, and for foure, I will not turne to it, because they haue threshed Gi∣lead with threshing instruments of yron.

* 1.1THe confirmation of the former threatning against the Israelites both by the example of other nations, the which the Prophet here reciteth, (yea euen of Iudah) the which God doth punish for the same sinnes: and also by the iustice and righteousnesse of God, the which is neither rashly moued, neither yet ought to suffer these sinnes of the Israelites to escape vnpunished. God is not rashly mo∣ued to punish, but after that he hath a long season borne with men, yea and the same also obstinatly or stifly continuing in sundrie and most grieuous vices. Therefore he doth in the end chastice and cor∣rect, not for one or two sinnes of them onely, but for many. But God will not let the sinnes of the Israelites goe scotfree, who can not suffer the offences of the Iewes their brethren, nay of the Gen∣tiles being altogether infidels to be vnpunished, and therefore will he not beare with the sinnes of these, the which ought to be more holie.

* 1.2Further, he reckoneth vp onely those nations, the which were neighbours vnto them, to the end the Israelites should be the more moued, and should beleeue the things to be true, the which were threatned. For GOD hath also punished alwaies before this, other nations besides these for their sinnes, and doth yet at this day pu∣nish them. And he beginneth with the kingdome of Damascus, be∣cause that the power and glorie thereof at that time was greater then of other people neere vnto them, as being the head of al Syria: for so is it Isai. cap. 7. vers. 8. The head of Aram (that is of Syria) is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin, &c. And 1. King. cap. 19. vers. 15. Elias is commanded to returne by the wildernesse vn∣to Damascus, and there (as in the head citie of the land) to anoynt Hazael King ouer Aram, that is, Syria: * 1.3 for Damascus was then the Metropolitan or chiefe citie of Syria.

* 1.4Now this verse conteineth two things. The first, the wicked and stubborne life of them of Damascus. Their life is noted to bee wic∣ked by the word (Peshang) the which signifieth open rebellion and treacherie against God, and not only simple sinne. And that it was

fortresses:* 1.5 This prouince was called Decapolis. Secondly, by the countrey of Auen, or Aueria, the which was another prouince of the kingdome of Damascus neere vnto the Arabians, * 1.6 and in a ma∣ner a continuall valley by the riuer Euphrates. And last of all by the countrey of Eden, wherein also was a peculiar King of it owne, the which notwithstanding was subiect vnto the King of Damascus. * 1.7 All these countries as they were partners and partakers with them of Damascus, in these sinnes and crueltie against the people of God: so shall they in like manner be all ouertaken with the same iudgement of God. And thus much concerning the kingdome it selfe, and the prouinces of the kingdome at that time most florish∣ing.

* 1.8In the second place he setteth downe what shall become of the men themselues. They shall goe into countries vnknowne vnto them, and farre off, as namely, being carried away by the King of the Assyrians into Media, and into the citie thereof, the which i•• called Cir, or Cirus, 2. King. cap. 16. vers. 9. Then the king of Asshur consented vnto him: (that is, to king Achaz king of Iuda, hiring him for money against Rezin king of Syria) and the king of Asshur went vp against Damascus, and when he had taken it, he carried the people away to Kir, (or Cir, or Cirus, as it is in the common translation, which for the most part in the proper names this author follow∣eth) and slew Rezin. And least that these things, because of the po∣wer and glorie of the kingdome of Damascus, might seeme ridicu∣lous, or to be laughed at as toyes, and vnpossible, the Prophet re∣hearseth againe, That these things are threatned by the true God himselfe, who cannot lye, and by the almightie Lord Iehouah, whom nothing can withstand.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The confirma∣tion of the for∣mer threat∣ning.
• * 1.2

  Why the Pro∣phet reckoneth vp onely those nations, the which were borderers vpon the Israelites.
• * 1.3

  Damascus the chiefe citie of Syria.
• * 1.4

  1. The wicked life of the Damas∣cens.
• * 1.5

  1. Decapolis.
• * 1.6

  2. Auen, or Aue∣ria.
• * 1.7

  3. Eden.
• * 1.8

  2. What shall be∣come of the men.