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. 14.

For Israel hath forgotten his maker, an buildeth Tem∣ples, and Iudah hath increased strong cities: but I will send fire vp∣on his cities, and it shall deuoure palaces thereof.

* 1.1AN amplification both of the sinne of the Israelites, and also of their punishment. The amplification is two-folde. First, from the greatnes of the wickednes. For the Israelites had forgotten their Creatour and maker. The which is a thing voide of all naturall af∣fection, and against the very sense and feeling of nature, [unspec 1] and there∣fore vnexcusable, Rom. 1. The selfe same euen at this day, agreeth and serueth against all idolatours. Secondly, they corrupted their brethren, to wit, the Iewes, by their example. [unspec 2] For hereunto apper∣taineth that, which in this place is said of the Iewes. And in such sort did the Israelites infect the Iewes with this their poyson, that the Iewes did nowe rather trust vnto their cities and townes, after the examples of the Israelites, then vnto God. And therefore they make hast in building of them, as if they should be a more sure de∣fence for them against the rushing in of their enemies, then the co∣uenant and promises of God himselfe. For thus they saw the Israe∣lites building vp palaces and fortresses for a defence for themselues, who nowe did not esteeme or make any accounts of the couenant of God. So infectious, doubtlesse, an euill is the sinne of idolatrie, that it by and by taketh hold vpon, polluteth, & defileth the neigh∣bour nations, otherwise not giuen vnto that sinne 2. King. 17.

* 1.2The punishment which shall insue vpon this sinne, is here also amplified. For it shall not onely be vpon the Israelites; but it shall reach also vnto the Iewes, who suffered themselues to be corrup∣ted by the Israelites. For their strong cities and those palaces so la∣boriously & diligently built vp, shall be consumed with fire, as well as the munitions or fortresses of the Israelites. Whereby appeareth, that vnto whomesoeuer the infection of idolatrous superstition doth come, vnto the same also in the end shall the punishment of the same sinne come, to the end that we should haue the more di∣ligent & earnest watch ouer our selues to keepe vs from the same, a thing whereof the holy Scripture doth warne vs, 1. Ioh. 5.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An amplifica∣tion both of their sinne, and also of their punishment.
• * 1.2

  The amplify∣ing of their pu∣nishment.