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. 1.

Israel is an empty vine, yet hath it brought forth fruit vn∣to it selfe, and according vnto the multitude of the fruit thereof he hath increased the Altars: according to the goodnes of their land they haue made fayre images.

* 1.1ALthough this chapter do meruailously well agree with the for∣mer, as the sermons of the Prophets haue been like one vnto an other, euen as were the maners of the corrupted people alwayes the same, so also is one and the same doctrine of repentance often to be repeated and to be beaten into their heads, as Paul Philip. 3. vers. 1. witnesseth, that he is not ashamed, or that it doth not grieue him to write the same things vnto them, and for you (sayth he) it is a sure thing. Yet hath this chapter his certaine peculiar argument or contents diuers from that before going, namely, for that here the aydes the which the Israelites thought to be most sure and safe vn∣to them, are threatned to be taken from them, to wit, their Idols,

and their kings. And moreouer the Prophet here in this chapter doth also declare vnto this people the same destruction for their i∣dolatrie, and forsaking of the true God.* 1.2 Neither are they in vaine so often admonished or warned of the selfe same thing. For God by this meanes maketh them inexcusable, and sheweth how great his mercy and patience is euen towards men that are most obsti∣nate and stubborne. And last of al we do learne by this example, how hardly and scarcely, and almost not at al they are roused vp and drawen from their vices, the which haue once giuen ouer them selues vnto them, especially from idols, so farre doubtles haue they swallowed down the bayte of this poyson, that they cannot after∣wards be rid of it, and cast it out of their mouth againe. Now this verse and it which followeth, doe containe the causes of God his iudgement, the which shal be declared afterward.

* 1.3As for this present verse it setteth downe the summe of their wickednes, that is, their vnappeased and mad minde, and earnestnes of this people neuer satisfied in worshipping of Idols. The which thing we see euen at this day to bee in the popish Idolators. For they make themselues vtterly vnapt to be taught of GOD, and e∣stranged from him, that they may wholly serue their Idols. And questionles no man can at once and together obey or serue God and Satan. For as Christ sayth Mat. 6. vers. 24. No man can serue two masters: for either he shall hate the one, and loue the other, or else hee shall leane to the one and despise the other.* 1.4 Wherefore Israel, that is to say, the whole nation and kingdome of the ten tribes is here cal∣led an empty vine, as namely the which did not now bear any fruit acceptable vnto God Isai 5. But if it brought forth any, it brought it forth liking to themselues onely, and agreeable to their idolatrie. Therefore albeit that this people were as a vine, diligently dressed of God, yet it bringeth no solace or comfort vnto God, that is, vnto their vine dresser and husbandman: but all the workes and fruites of this people doe serue themselues onely, and the Idolatry and re∣ligion which they had forged and inuented.

* 1.5The proofe of the great ingratitude or vnthankfulnes of this people followeth. For as they abound with wealth, fruits, and all kinde of good things, so doe they multiply their Idol temples and altars, and appoynt for their images diuers worship and seruice, costly, chargeable and gorgeous, and do sacrifice vnto them sump∣tuously, according vnto the abundance and store of the good things, which they receiue from the true God. So then the Israe∣lites

bestow nothing vpon the true God: but all vpon themselue•• and their Idols, which Israelites were notwithstanding a vine plan∣ted, plowed, and increased by God and not by Idols.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This chap. albe it that in many poynts it agree with the for∣mer, yet hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 somthing pe∣c••••iar and pre∣per, vnto it selfe
• * 1.2

  Often admo∣nishments for one and the same thing are not in vaine in God his iudge∣ment & pur∣pose, howsoeuer men may think the contrary.
• * 1.3

  The summe of the wickednes of these Israe∣lites.
• * 1.4

  Israel an emp∣ty vine.
• * 1.5

  A proofe of the vnthankeful∣nes of this peo∣ple.