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.

For now they shall say, we haue no King, because we feared not the Lord: and what should a King doe to vs?

* 1.1A Making of the matter more plaine, wherby God by the figure Mimesis, or imitating and taking vpon him their speech, doth represent or shewe the notorious wantonnes of this people, and their retchles and vnpunished licentiousnes or ouer much libertie in running commonly vnto all kinde of wickednes, to the end that his iudgements, albeit neuer so heauy against this people may seem the more iust. First of all therefore he describeth that their vnpu∣nished and vnbrideled boldnes to commit any euill whatsoeuer, and imitateth or followeth and taketh vpon him their words.

Their words were, We haue no King, that can keepe vs vnder: he only hath so much power and authority ouer vs,* 1.2 as we do yeeld vnto him, and will and are contented that hee shall haue ouer vs. We feared not the Lord: What therefore may stay vs now from the executing and putting in practise of all kind of wickednes and hay∣nous offences freely, and according vnto our owne hearts lust and pleasure? Doubtles nothing. Now these were the speeches of the people, by the which is pointed out notorious and desperate lewd∣nes of men, like vnto that iudge in the parable recited by our Saui∣our Luk. 18. vers. 2. of whom he reporteth, That he feared not God,

neither reuerenced man:* 1.3 also their anarchie or disordered life vnder no rule nor gouernment, the which is wont to bee most hurtfull, and not only the companion, but also the nurse and mother of all enormitie and malapertnes. And therefore it is so often repeated in the booke of Iudges, that such and such most outragious of∣fences raigned and were committed in the land, because there was no King in Israel, as among the rest Iudg. 19. vers. 1. we read thus: Also in those dayes when there was no King in Israel, a certaine Le∣uite dwelt on the side of mount Ephraim, and tooke to wife a Concu∣bine out of Beth-lehem Iudah. And his Concubine playd the whore there, and went away from him, &c. So likewise cap. 21. ver. 25. after the setting downe of the great disorder of the Beniamites in stea∣ling away the maidens at the dauncing in Shiloh, there is added as the cause: In those dayes there was no king in Israel, but euery man did that which was good in his eyes. For we are held backe as it were with a bit or bridle from the committing of euill, either with the feare of God or terror of men: which, when as they are either none at all, or broken in sunder by the violence and sway of sinnes rush∣ing in, there must needes be a most broad window set open vnto all lewdnes and iniquitie. The which vseth there to be done, where∣soeuer anarchi or want of gouernement raigneth. Wherefore Pe∣ter 1. epist. cap. 2. vers. 17. counselleth very well, That we both feare God, and also honor the King, that we may liue godly. And finally, that is a notable saying of Chrysostome, That it were better that there be some king among men,* 1.4 be hee neuer so bad, then to haue no King at all. And this was at that time the most miserable e∣state of the Ifraelites, as appeareth. And this came to passe among them hereupon, for that hee which was the stronger got the King∣dome: and for that Kings were not chosen among them after a∣ny lawfull maner and by due voyces, but each thrust out & mur∣thered other by armes & ciuil wars, and did intrude or thrust them∣selues into that same sacred and holy dignity. And therefore they ruled onely according vnto the pleasure and appoyntment of the people, the which they doe, that raigne by violence, and not by right, and therefore they doe not that which is beseeming them, and appertaineth vnto the duety of a King.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What the fi∣gure Mimesis is, see Oseas cap. 4. ver. 18.
• * 1.2

  The bold words of the vnruly people.
• * 1.3

  Anarchie, or such an estate where there is no King, nor go¦uernour, or be∣ing there, gouer¦neth not, is the mother of all lewdnes and loosenes of life.
• * 1.4

  Chrysostome.