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Yea Iudah hath set a plant for thee, whiles I would returne the captiuitie of my people.
* 1.1AN amplification of the idolatrie, which reigned among the Is∣raelites. For in such price was it among them, in such honor, in such dignitie, so great was the loue of it, such the commendation, so earnest was their minde toward it, and such was the labour and
indeuour of these Israelites to spred it abroad among others, that they had infected Iudah it selfe also with this sinne. For the Israe∣lites had sowen the most shameful seedes therof among the Iewes, the which afterwards grew vp, and brought forth their crop, that is their fruite, and the same most vnhappie, and lamentable, but yet most plentifull, and speedie.* 1.2 Wherefore it is a Metaphoricall kinde of speaking, when as the contagion and infection of the idolatrie of the Israelites by them at the first conueighed, scattered, and im∣parted vnto the Iewes, and afterwards growing vp among the Iewes themselues, is called an haruest, (or as some translate it, a plant). Furthermore, the time is rehearsed, wherein the Iewes were in such sort corrupted and infected by the Israelites: namely, whilest God brought them backe againe being captiues, that is, taken by the Israelites. This historie appertaineth vnto the times of Achaz king of the Iewes 2. Chro. 28. for then were the Iewes ouercome & taken by the Israelites, yet were they liberally, and freely by them let goe againe. Through which benefite it is likely that the Iewes were moued to fauour both the Israelites, and also their religion, that is, their idolatrie: and from thence took those seedes, the which afterward grew vp, and made them more readie and forward vnto horrible idolatrie vnder Achaz their king, as appeareth 2. Chro. 28. ver. 22. and in that which there followeth. So easie doubtlesse is the nature of man to bee drawne into idolatrie, and with so small adoe can idolaters deceiue men, as the fish is beguiled with the baite. And so quickly, as it is 1. Cor. 15. ver. 33. doth euill speakings corrupt good maners. So also euen at this day many being rewarded with benefites from the Turke, doe first of all grow into a liking of Tur∣kish blasphemie: and in the end become Turkes themselues also. So in like manner in our time now, many professors of the Gospell become Papists, being allured with their bounteousnes and libera∣litie. For benefites doe often so beguile vs, that we fauour our be∣nefactors and weldoers to the reproch of God himselfe: the which notwithstanding ought not in any case to be allowed, nay, it is to be condemned.
An amplifica∣tion of this ido∣latrie reigning among the Is∣raelites.
What a Meta∣phor is, see A∣mos. cap. 4. ver. 12.