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. 8.

Vers. 1.

Thus hath the Lord God shewed vnto me, and behold a bas∣ket of Summer fruite.

IN the chapter before going, God threatned vtter destruction vn∣to the kingdome of Israel because of his obstinacie or stubborne continuance in sinne. The selfe same thing doth he also in this and the next chapter confirme, that hee might shake off from the vn∣beleeuers and such as despise those threatnings, all securitie and carelesnes: take from the hypocrites all refuges and starting holes to shroud themselues in, the which they deuise to help themselues withall: and may earnestlie stirre vp, and giue minde and courage to the godly, of repentance, if any were left among them.* 1.1 But in this chapter is foretold or rather confirmed to the whole people in generall a calamitie or punishment, the which was euen hard at hand, and should presently insue, as namely when as their notori∣ous and hainous sinne were now waxen through ripe and mellow: but in the chapter following, vnto their Temples and Chappels the like is denounced.* 1.2 Notwithstanding in both these places or chap∣ters this punishment is represented or shewed vnder visions and figures, both that the Israelites might more diligently and earnestly attend or consider of these prophesies: and also might the better be pearced and touched with them, albeit their hearts and mindes were neuer so stubborne and disobedient. Thus doth God witnes his good will and care towards this people: yea and towards all disobedient persons also, that they may vnderstand that they doe perish through their owne fault, and not through any fault in God.

Touching this verse, it contayneth a bare vision of a thing of∣fered or layd before the eyes and sight of the Prophet. And it was a basket ful of fruits, the which were now growen to their ende or ripenes, and therefore to be plucked off,* 1.3 and forthwith to bee bea∣ten downe, as Varro speaketh libr. 1. de Re rustic. cap. 68. Those (sayth he, speaking of fruits) which are ripe (the which appeareth by

the changing of their colour) if you take them not downe to eate, they shew themselues ready to be throwne downe. But to the end that the resemblance and likenes of the names of ripe or summer fruits,* 1.4 and of their ripenesse or ending which is in the Hebrew tongue, may in some sorte be retayned and kept in the Latine, this place were to be turned thus: Sic ostendit mihi visionem domin•••• Iehouah, nimirum ecce canistrum finalium (id est aestiuorum) fru∣ctuum: that is: The Lord Iehoua shewed me a vision thus: to wit, behold a basket of final (that is to say summer) fruits. This word (Thus, or So) is added and set downe, that the Prophet may ex∣presly witnes, that he doth in euery respect in such sort report the matter it selfe, as it was by GOD offered and shewed vnto him. Therefore he doth commend the authority of the narration to in∣sue by the trueth of the same, to the end it may be heard with al di∣ligence and attention or heedfulnes, and marked, noted and con∣sidered.

Vres. 2.

And he sayd, Amos, what seest thou? And I sayd, a basket of summer:∵ 1.5 fruit. Then said the Lord vnto me, The* 1.6 end is come vpon my people of Israel, I will passe by them no more.

* 1.7THe declaration of the former vision. And this verse hath three partes. First, an interrogation, or God his asking a question of the Prophet. Secondly, the Prophets answere vnto God. Third∣ly, the interpretation and exposition of the matter made by God himselfe. God asketh and speaketh vnto the Prophet, to stirre his vp more diligently to behold the thing, which hee sheweth vnto him: and so consequently to stirre vp the people and vs also. For so weighty visions, and so necessary for the Church of GOD are not lightly or sleightly, with a light arme or winking eyes to bee looked vpon or handled, but with stedfast and heedefull eyes and mindes. The Prophet answereth playnly, hiding, dissembling, o∣uerpassing, or adding nothing to the matter. Wherein his faith∣fulnes in his ministerie and office is declared, like as in Paul 1. Cor. cap. 4. ver. 12. for there he saith: Let a man so thinke of vs, as of the ministers of Christ, and disposers of the secrets of God. As for the rest, i•• is required of the disposers, that euery man be found faithfull.

The declaration of this vision followeth, the which sheweth first what is signified by these finall or ripe fruites: Secondly, to whome in especiall the signification thereof appertayneth. By

these fruits is signified that the ende and destruction of the king∣dome and people of Israel is at hand (howsoeuer God before this time haue taken them and cherished them for his people) because that vnto them especially belongeth this signification of the end,* 1.8* 1.9 or destruction. So before cap. 7. ver. 7. and 8. in the vision of God standing vpon a wall, and with a plumming line in his hande, the same vision did concerne the Israelites in generall. But by this si∣militude of finall, or summer fruits, not onely destruction is shewed vnto this people: but also the neerenes and speedines of the pu∣nishment to come is noted, that these fellowes should not thinke that they should long be borne withall at the hand of God.* 1.10 (I will passe by them no more) ••n these words there is a reason yeelded, why this finall and vtter destruction hangeth ouer their heads, and that immediately and out of hand to ensue and fall vpon this people, to wit, because GOD hath decreed and determined no more hence∣forth & hereafter to forgiue thē any of their sins either to come or also already past. For so much doe these wordes (I will not adde to passe by them, or, I will not passe by them any more) signifie, that is, I will not pardon or forgiue them, as Tullie speaketh. For to par∣don or forgiue, is to passe ouer the punishment of a fault, Epist. 15. ad M. Brutum: to wit, as if such sinne of the men, whom wee par∣don and forgiue, were vnknowen vnto vs. So to pretermit and o∣uerpasse, is taken for, to leaue vntouched and vnpunished, as Mat. 26. ver. 39. where Christ prayeth vnto his Father: if it be possible, let this cuppasse from me, he meaneth, Let not this punishment or death touch me. Let me not suffer it, let me be pardoned of it. So in the seuenth chapter of this Prophet before, and ver. 8. when God sayth, And I will passe by them no more, he meaneth: I will spare them no more, I will not forgiue them any more.

Vers. 3.

And the songs of the Temple shal be howlings in that day, sayth the Lord God: many dead bodies shall bee in euerie place: they shall cast them forthwith silence.

* 1.11THe amplification of these threatnings by the adioynts. For the iudgement of God against the Israelites shall bee so great, the which the Prophet declareth vnto them, that both their Temples shall be vtterly forsaken: and also that the songs and worships now done in them, shall afterwards be howlings, because that they shal quite cease, and shall not be exercised, or heard any more. Final∣ly,

there shall be an infinite number of the slaine and dead bodies of the Israelites, in euerie part of their kingdome, the which not∣withstanding no man shall openly burye and with mourning, but shall doe it holding his peace and still, whosoeuer he bee that out of so great a number and slaughter of them shall picke out some and burie them. And by thrs amplification is taken from them all the aide the which they looked for from their goddes, Temples, and religious worship, and there is foretolde vnto them an exceeding great plague and massacre, or slaughter of the people of Israel, the which shall be in euery quarter. Last of all there shall be in them all great feare and trembling by reason of their enemies, the which GOD shall send vpon them, they shall bee so horrible and feare∣full, and the Israelites so quailed and daunted in their hearts and courage.

Vers. 4.

Heare this, Oye that swallow vp the poore, that yee may make the needy of the Land to fayle.

* 1.12AN Apostrophe, or turning of his speech vnto the wicked ones, whereby he doth earnestly stirre vp and reproue all lewd liuers: but especially the couetous and cruell persons among this people, the which did deuour, spoyle and oppresse the poore through great subtilty and vnmercifull dealing, the which did spring from th•••• vnsatiable or vnfilable couetousnes. This verse therefore doth set forth the summe or effect of this their cruelty and couetousnes, and the verse following sheweth the kindes and manner of them both. Therfore these men are called and as it were cited by name to heare these threatnings of God. And in this place both these vices of cruelty and couetousnes is paynted forth in them to be notorious in that they do not only look for the goods and wealth and substance of the poore and needy, and those euen their brethren: but that they also doe labour with all their might and maine to spoyle them. And this they doe after such a sorte, that by their willes they would not now haue any of their poore brethren to be left aliue, but that they should be all consumed. As if forsooth these iolly fellowe through their ouermuch cruelty and couetousnes did vtterly dece•••• and abhorre the poore, who are their brethren, and the image of God himselfe. See whither in the end auarice and couetousnes doth draw and carie vs.

Vers. 5.

Saying, When will the new moneth be gone, that we may sell corne? and the Sabboth, that wee may set foorth wheate, and make the Ephah small, and the shekle great, and falsifie the weights by deceit?

* 1.13AN explanation or making more plaine of that which went be∣fore, by the which the kindes of deceits and cruelty practised and deuised by the rich against their poore and needy brethren, are reckoned vp, and declared. And in this place there are rehearsed foure. The first,* 1.14 That these vnsatiable or neuer filled couetous wretches could not away with so much as the Sabboth and newe moones (that is, feast dayes at that time of the moone holden) be∣cause that on those dayes they ceased from merchandise and traf∣fique, that is, from their deceits and vse of buying and selling. For they complayn, that there are too many holy dayes, and that they are held too long, because that in all that time they could haue no gaines, norsell any thing. This was in those dayes notorious coue∣tousnes, and also is at this day, when as men finde fault that the worship and seruice of God doth take from them occasions and commodities of lucre and gaine, and that the times appointed by the word of God for this matter are too long, and nothing but idle ceasings from worldly busines. The second kinde, They did dimi∣nish & lessen the publike or common weights,* 1.15 because they would not make so good weight in selling and measuring of their wares, as by the common weights they ought, but would giue lesse weight then was meet, the which notwithstanding so lessened and curtold, they would haue to be taken for good and lawfull, and to be coun∣ted for full measure of their wares. This also is notorious couetous∣nes, the which doth falsifie and corrupt the common weights, so farre as it may. The third kinde is, that they doe increase the price of the coyne within themselues,* 1.16 to make it to bee of more valewe then it ought. Therefore when ought is to be payd vnto them by the poore man, or him that is their debtor, they will haue more paid them in money for a crowne, then three pound french. They would haue the Floren among the Merchants to bee of more valew then twenty Souses. They alleadge for themselues, that the price or valew of the coyne is risen since the time that they sold their wares, or since the poore men receiued that money. The fourth kinde is, Their shameles corrupting,* 1.17 or changing of the common weights

and measures, the which they did by subtiltie and false dealing. For those former falsifiers of the weights did keep the rates of the co••∣mon weights iust, but they would not deliuer so much in weight and measure. But these fellowes did subtillie falsifie the common weights in making of them lesse, and yet would shewe them for iust and true weights. This also is shameles couetousnesse.

Vers. 6.

That we may buy the poore for siluer, and the needie for sh•••••• yea and sell the refuse of the wheat.

* 1.18AS before he set downe sundrie kinds of couetousnesse, so doe he here reckon vp diuers kinds of their crueltie, and the same also ioyned with couetousnesse. The first, for that they would for their money buy vnto themselues the poore man,* 1.19 and haue him t•• be their owne after such sort, as they did buy any bruit beast. Ye•• these were both men, and also their brethren, whom therefore it was not lawfull for them to buy in such sort. And therefore they might not by the law of God vse those of their owne nation, wh•••• they bought for their money, in such sort as they might other ser∣uants that were strangers, but were after certaine yeares to let th•••• goe out free, as it is Exod. 21. ver. 2. &c. If thou buy an Hebrew s••••∣uant, he shall serue sixe yeares, and in the seuenth he shall goe out fr•••• for nothing.* 1.20 The second, for that they bought, or would buy thee for a most vile & low price, as for a paire of shoes, that is, for a mat∣ter of nothing; for the which valew they could not buy at any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his hand so much as a poore dogge, or silie sheepe: so great doubt∣les was their crueltie and vnmercifulnes, that they made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much account of men, yea and those their brethren also, as they did of the basest and smallest cattell.* 1.21 The third kind is, for that they vsed very bad and false dealing in the deliuerie of the ware & ••••••∣ter, which they sold or gaue, to wit, they did mixe and mingle to∣gether the soyle and refuse with the graine in the barne, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sell this mixture or medlie in stead of the good and sound come the which by bargaine and promise they were to deliuer, where∣with the men that bought it were not nourished. Therefore like there was in them notorious couetousnesse, so was there also op•••• crueltie and deceit. By this occasion let our Merchant men of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times consider how they deale, and with what faithfulnes and vp∣rightnes they doe sell their wares, least that they also come with the compasse of these threatnings.

Vers. 7.

The Lord hath sworne by the excellencie of Iaacob, surely I will neuer forget any of their workes.

* 1.22THe threatning of a most grieuous punishment, the which is af∣terwards declared. As for this verse it hath two parts: namely, the threatning it selfe, and the confirmation of the threatning.* 1.23 The threatning is, That God will not afterwards forget these their wic∣ked deedes, and so lewd workes, like as before (whilest that he spa∣reth them, and tarrieth for them and their repentance) he seemeth to haue forgotten them: but he will in the end punish them all most sharply, keeping the bedroule and number of them in his minde, as hath bin shewed before in the second verse of this chap∣ter. So in the second of Malach ver. 17. the Lord sheweth that he remembreth the speeches of the wicked, when as they by their bold answer seeme to thinke that he hath nothing to charge them withall. For thus in that place sayth the Prophet: Ye haue wearied the Lord with your words: yet ye say: wherein haue we wearied him? when ye say, euery one that doth euill, is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them. Or, where is the God of iudgement? And in his third chapter ver. 16. he doth in plaine words teach vs, that God keepeth a booke of remembrance of those that doe feare him, that he may recompence them in the end, though for a time they seeme to be forgotten: Then spake they that feared the Lord, (sayth Mala∣chie) euery one to his neighbour, and the Lord hearkened, and heard it: and abooke of remembrance was written before him for them that fea∣red the Lord, and that thought vpon his name. And Dauid Psal. 130. ver. 3. sheweth that none is able to abide it, if God enter into a strait reckoning with him for his misdoings: saying, If thou, O Lord, straitly markest iniquities, O Lord, who shal stand? And therfore Psal. 32. ver. 1. he pronounceth him an happie man that is not called to this sharpe reckoning, as the wicked ones that are vnrepentant in their sinning shall be, where he writeth: Blessed is he whose wickednes is forgiuen, and whose sinne is couered.* 1.24 But touching this that here the Lord is sayd (not to forget) it is to be noted, that remembrance and forgetfulnes are in the holie Scripture attributed vnto God by a certaine Anthropopathia, that is, by ascribing vnto him for our ca∣pacitie and better vnderstanding, such affections as are in man.

* 1.25The confirmation of the former threatning is contained in the oth, the which in this place is expreslie set down by God, that these

hypocrites or rebels should not thinke that these were but vaine and bare words, and childish feare-bugs. And God sweareth here in this place by the excellencie of Iaacob, that is, by all the priui∣ledges and prerogatiues which he had giuen vnto them, wherwith they did excell the other nations of the world in happinesse both heauenly, and earthly. This excellencie is set out by Paul Rom. 3. ver. 1.2. What is then the preferment of the Iewe? or what is the profit of circumcision? Much euery maner of way (answereth he:) for chief∣lie, because vnto them were committed the Oracles of God. And a∣gaine Rom. 9. ver. 4.5. he reckoneth vp a great many of them, shew∣ing, That vnto them pertaineth the adoption, and the glorie, and the couenants, and the giuing of the law, and the promises. Of whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the fathers, and of whom concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is God ouer all blessed for euer. Before chap. 6. ver. 8. God sware by himselfe. The name of Iacob is here recited, because that he, and also his po∣steritie was preferred before Esau and his seede, of the meere or only fauour of God towards the Israelites, and also Iacob himselfe, as it is witnessed Malach. cap. 1. ver. 2.3. Was not Esau Iacobs brother, sayth the Lord? yet I loued Iacob, and I hated Esau, and made his mountaines waste, and his heritage a wildernesse for dragons.

Ver. 8.

Shall not the land tremble for this, and euery one mourne that dwelleth therein? And it shall rise vp wholly as a floud, and it shal•• be cast out, and drowned as by the floud of Egypt.

* 1.26THe exaggeration or making greater of the former sins, where∣by the punishment which shall hereafter bee denounced or threatned, may appeare to be the more iust. But in this verse both the manner of speaking, and also the thing it selfe which is spoken, is to be considered.* 1.27 The manner of speaking is an interrogatice or asking of a question continued for a good space, wherewith the Prophet pricketh the consciences of them, and bringeth forth the land it selfe for a witnesse against their obstinacie and stubbor•••••••• and sheweth the equitie of this punishment.* 1.28 Touching the thing it selfe which is spoken, it briefly tendeth vnto this end, that these fellowes might vnderstand that their works are so abominable and lewd (howsoeuer they doe flatter themselues, and sleepe in the same) that they are worthie of any kind of punishment whatsoe∣uer, not only priuate, but also publike, & not only against the men themselues, but also against the very sole and earth, whereupon

they dwelled, and committed those same sinnes. For by reason of the sinnes of men God destroyeth or punisheth the earth and land it selfe, the which was the seate of those sinnes, as is witnessed Psal. 107. ver. 33.34. He turneth the flouds into a wildernesse,* 1.29 & the springs of waters into drinesse, and a fruitful land into barrennesse, for the wic∣kednesse of them that dwell therein. So Gen. 3. ver. 17. for the sinne of Adam God curseth the earth, saying: Cursed is the earth for thy sake: in sorowe shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life. Wherefore God teacheth that their sinnes doe deserue, that their whole land should be full of tumult and hurliburlie, and that all their affayres should be turmoyled and troubled, and turned vpside downe, that both the inhabitants of the land themselues, and the committers of these sinnes, and also others should mourne. Finally, that their whole land should be drowned with waters, and ouerflowed, like as their wic∣kednesse hath ouerflowed in it. And this ouerflowing he compa∣reth with that of Egypt, not in this respect, that the riuer Nilus by his ouerflowing doth make the land and countrey fruitfull: but in this, that his water being conueyed into the land, doth chase and driue away all the inhabitants from their places and homes, and bringeth in a foule and euill fauoured shape & sight vpon the land, such as appeareth after a great floud and ouerflowing of waters, the land remaining slimie and muddie after the same. So hereafter cap. 9. ver. 5. this same comparison is vsed againe.

Vers. 9.

And in that day, sayth the Lord God, I will euen cause the Sunne to goe downe at noone: and I will darken the earth in the cleere day.

* 1.30A Description of the punishment that was to ensue vpon them, first by a similitude taken from such a thing as is wont to bring vpon men exceeding feare, and doth containe a most great sharp∣nes and bitternes of the punishment. And by this meanes God of his great louing kindnesse vnto mankind, would rouze vp these fel∣lowes snorting in their sinnes, that wee might vnderstand how pa∣tiently and louingly God dealeth with vs, and therefore that wee should confesse our selues to be the lesse excusable.* 1.31 The similitude is this, That God will cause the Sunne to goe downe at noone day: or (as is added for more plainnes sake) he will bring darknes vpon them in the cleere day. Therefore these euils shall fall vpon them both beyond their expectation or looking for (because they belee∣ued

not the word and threatnings of God) as it fell out vnto them, who obeyed not the admonitions or warnings of Noah Matth. 24. ver. 38. but following the lusts of their flesh in eating and drinking marrying, and giuing in marriage, vntill the floud came suddain•••• vpon them, were drowned in the same: and they shall fall vpon them as punishments and most grieuous plagues and troubles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stormes and tempests, the which doe make the Sunne darke vnto vs at noone day.* 1.32 The same Metaphor or borrowed speech is vsed i•• the second chapter of Ioel. Thus then this similitude of the Sunne and of darknesse doth signifie both these things, that is to say, both great punishments, and the same also suddaine and vnloo∣ked for.

Vers. 10.

And I will turne your feasts into mournings, and all you songs into lamentation: and I will bring sackcloth vpon all loyes, and baldnes vpon euery head: and I will make it as the mourning of an only sonne, and the end thereof as a bitter day.

* 1.33A Plaine description of the same punishment without any Meta∣phor, the which is painted or layd forth to be most lamentable, in holy matters, in politike matters: in publike and priuate m••••er in the beginning and in the end of the punishment and mise••••e. Fo•• these three things doth this verse briefly shewe.* 1.34 First, it sheweth th•• punishment in holie matters, and in matters politike, because their publike and common assemblies, their holie solemnities and the•••• songs shall be turned into mourning both inward, and also ••••∣ward: also it sheweth publike affliction or punishment, in that the backes of all men in stead of cloathing, shall be couered with sack∣cloth: the heads of al men in stead of naturall haire shall be cor∣red with baldnes, the which shall befall them through sorrowe and griefe.* 1.35 The priuate miserie it declareth hereby, that al shal mou•••• as if euery one in particular did bewaile his onely begotten some Lastly,* 1.36 it sheweth that the end of this miserie shall be most lames∣table, whereas it is sayd (the end of them) shall be continuall per∣siuenes, and sorowe of minde, wherein they shall waxe old and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 For these ten Tribes of the kingdome of Israel, carried away by the Assyrians, did neuer afterwards returne againe into the promised land. Therefore they perished and rotted in that their miserie.

Vers. 11.

Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famin in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the Lord.

* 1.37 AN amplification of this punishment described before, by an e∣speciall effect, the which shall follow of the same, namely, That those which shall also be then left in their owne countrey, together with those which shall bee carried away into strange landes, shall want the most true foode and comfort of their soules, that is to say, the preaching of the word of God. And to the end that some weight may be added vnto this threatning, God rehearseth that he himselfe, who threatneth the same, is the Lord of all things, and that same Iehouah the creator of all things, most knowne vnto them.* 1.38 And this verse containeth a description both of the Time and also of the matter. Concerning the time, these wordes, (Beholde, the dayes come) doe declare that it will presently come to passe.* 1.39 For they signifie, that those dayes are by and by at hand. So then the miserie the which is in this verse told of, did both follow after the captiuitie of this nation, and also went before it. For the Israe∣lites wanted also the preaching of the word of God before their exile and captiuitie, and carrying away by the Assyrians.* 1.40 As for the matter then or the effect, it is here set downe to bee horrible and fearefull: The bereauing them of the pure and outward preaching of the word of God, the which the Israelites feeling before hand the euils hanging ouer their heades, or now alreadie suffering them, longed after in vaine, and a little before their captiuitie, and also in their captiuitie.

* 1.41Further, by an argument taken from a comparison, it is shewed, how great a punishment and heauie a judgement of God against men fed before with the word of God, it is to bee left without the pure and outward preaching of his holy word, as it is said Psal. 74. ver. 9. where the faithfull complaine of this great miserie of wan∣ting the foode of the word, saying: Wee see not our signes: there is not one Prophet more, nor any with vs that knoweth how long. First, therefore in this comparing of the foode of the worde with the foode of the bodie, the greatnes of the miserie in wanting the same is declared in this, that it is called (a famin:) Secondly,* 1.42 in that as it is in deed, so it is also said to be greater then the Famin of the bodie, be it neuer so great, that is to say, wherein wee vtterly want both

meate, and also water, hauing not so much as it to quench our thi•••••• withall.* 1.43 These things are of great force against the Schuenfeldians and Anabaptists, which contemne or despise the outward ministe∣rie of the gospell.

Vers. 12.

And they shall wander from sea, to sea, and from the North euen to the East shall they run to and fro, to seeke the worde of the Lord, and shall not finde it.

* 1.44BY a certaine Hypotypôsis or liuely demonstration, he setteth or vnto them the most lamentable sorrow, and exceeding grea•• miserie of this effect, or punishment threatned vnto them: for hee sheweth and declareth, how great then shall bee their endeuour and diligence in seeking of the word of God, the which notwith∣standing they shall not thereby finde, nor enioy the same. Their diligence therefore and earnestnes is described, for that they shall seeke it from the Syrian sea, vnto the Arabian sea, and in euery quarter and coast of their owne countrie, in the East, in the West in the North, in the South. Secondly, for that they shall traile af∣ter it as it were by the foote, that is, they shall very narrowly and throughly search and peere into euery place, and yet shall not any where finde the word of God. For when as God offered himselfe vnto them, they did despise him. But God and his worde must the be accepted of, when as it is offered vnto vs. And therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 counselleth vs very excellently to this end cap. 55. ver. 6. saying•• Seeke ye the Lord while he may be found: call yee vpon him while he i••∣nere. Neither maketh the place of Matthew any thing here against cap. 7. ver. 7. Seeke, and ye shall finde. For whilest men do in such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seeke God and his word, as in this place is spoken of: they seeke him rather for their owne sake, then for true feare of God, namely that they may haue some comfort: not that they haue any min•••• to serue and worship God simplie and for himselfe, but in regarde of some feare of hurt or perill towards themselues. And therefore Christ checketh the multitude, for that they rather sought him be∣cause he filled their bellies, then of loue towards his miracles, Iohn 6. ver. 26. in these wordes: Verely, verely, I say vnto you, yee seeke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not, because ye sawe the miracles, but because ye did eate of the loa••es and were filled. There is a like place to this 12. ver. of this Prophet, Ierem. cap. 14. ver. 12. in the which, as here God telleth them, that seeking for the word of God they shall not finde it (to wit because

they sought it not aright) so there he sheweth that hee will not ac∣cept of their prayer and sacrifice, for that they were not done in true faith, but for some other sinister or wrong and bad respect. The wordes be these: When they fast, I will not heare their crie, and when they offer burnt offerings, and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pesti¦lence.

Vers. 13.

In that day shall the faire Virgins and the young men pe∣rish for thirst.

* 1.45THe conclusion, None shal be spared: for the Virgins themselues, (be they neuer so deare vnto all persons, because of their com∣lines and beautie of their faces) shall perish for thirst, not now for the thirst of their soule and of the word of God, but through the thirst of their bodie.* 1.46 For in this place the Lord doth threaten vnto them another thirst also. In like manner shall their young men, which can beare and endure thirst a long season, dye notwithstan∣ding for lack of drinke. For both these sexes to wit young men, and maidens, because that they are moyst, are wont to endure thirst lon∣ger then elder persons, but in this time they shall perish for want of drinke. Finallie, no kinde of men, howsoeuer otherwise excepted from common miseries, shall then bee deliuered from these most iust iudgements of God.

Vers. 14.

They that sweare by the sinne of Samaria, and that say, Thy God, O Dan liueth, and the maner of Beersheba liueth, euen they shall fall, and neuer rise vp againe.

* 1.47THe rendring of a reason with the repeating againe and rehear∣sing of the former punishment, to the end that these may be the more moued, and beleeue. The cause of their punishment is the mere idolatrie of these men. For they bestow the honor of the true God vpon idols: for we are to sweare by the name and maiestie of the true God onely. But these fellowes by their idols of Samaria, and of Beth-el. The repetition and conclusion of the punishment is: Therefore they shall vtterly perish. For they shall fall, and neuer rise againe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Speedie punish∣ment threat∣ned vnto al the people in gene∣rall in this chapter.
• * 1.2

  Why these pu∣nishments are represented by visions and fi∣gures.
• * 1.3

  A basket ful of ripe fruites shewed vnto Amos in a visiō.
• * 1.4

  The Latine & English cannot expresse the trim resem∣blance of sound and letters be∣tween the he∣brew wordes, Kaits fruit, and Kets, the fine or end, with such a grace as they carry in their owne tongue.
• ∵ 1.5

  Kaits.
• * 1.6

  Kets.
• * 1.7

  The declaratiō of the former vision.
• * 1.8

  1 The s••gnificatiō of this vision.
• * 1.9

  2 It concerneth the whole peo∣ple of Israel.
• * 1.10

  A reason why they shal final∣ly and speedily be destroyed.
• * 1.11

  The amplfica∣tion of these threatnings.
• * 1.12

  The figure A∣postrophe, or turning of speech, which is when as wee changeour talk from those to whom we spake vnto som other person or thing either present or absent, as in in this place, from the for∣mer punishmēt vnto the wic∣ked liuers de∣seruing the same.
• * 1.13

  The making more plaine of that which went before.
• * 1.14

  1. They thinke much to re∣fraine from traffick on the Sabboth, and feast dayes.
• * 1.15

  2. They did lessen the common weightes, not in the weights themselues, but in making too little weight & measure in their wares.
• * 1.16

  3. They raise the price of the coyne.
• * 1.17

  4. They doe make the common weights lesse thē they ought to be.
• * 1.18

  Sundrie kinds of their cruel∣tie.
• * 1.19

  1. They bought the poore for money, like bruit beasts.
• * 1.20

  2. They bought them for a matter of no∣thing.
• * 1.21

  3. They vsed false dealing with their wares in corrupting the same.
• * 1.22

  Two parts of this verse.
• * 1.23

  1. A threatning.
• * 1.24

  After what manner God is sayd to remem∣ber, and to for∣get.
• * 1.25

  2. The confirma∣tion of the threatning.
• * 1.26

  The amplify∣ing of the for∣mer sinnes.
• * 1.27

  1. The manner of speaking to be considered.
• * 1.28

  2. The thing it selfe the tis spoken.
• * 1.29

  The earth pu∣nished for the sinnes of the dwellers there∣in.
• * 1.30

  A description of the punish∣mēt the which should fal vpon them.
• * 1.31

  The similitude
• * 1.32

  What the fi∣gure called a Metaphor is, see Amos cap. 4 ver. 12.
• * 1.33

  A description of this punish∣ment without any Metaphor.
• * 1.34

  1. In holie and politike mat∣ters.
• * 1.35

  2. In priuate.
• * 1.36

  3. In the end.
• * 1.37

  An amplifica∣tion of the for∣mer punish∣ment by an e∣speciall effect insuing of the same.
• * 1.38

  Two things in this verse.
• * 1.39

  1. The time of this miserie.
• * 1.40

  2. The matter it selfe.
• * 1.41

  The greatnes of the miserie to want the true preaching of the word shew∣ed by a reason taken from a comparison.
• * 1.42

  1. A famin.
• * 1.43

  Two Sects of Heretakes.
• * 1.44

  Hypotyposis is a figure, whereby we doe so liuely expresse and set out the doing of a thing, that it may rather bee thought to bee seene to be done, then to be told, as is in this place, their maruailous in∣deauour to finde the word of God by tra∣uailing far and neere, from sea to sea, from coast to coast, from all quar∣ters, places, and countries, &c.
• * 1.45

  The conclusion.
• * 1.46

  The th••••st of the bodie also threatned.
• * 1.47

  A reason of their former punishment.