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And I said, Heare, I pray you, O heads of Iaacob, and yee Princes of the house of Israel:* 1.1 should not ye know iudgement?
THe third sermon, the which now appertayneth peculiarly vn∣to the Rulers and Princes of the people, and especially of the
people of Israel: like as from the first chapter ver. 6. vnto the 10. verse of this chapter, he denounceth threatnings vnto the kingdom of Israel: and from the tenth verse which followeth, vnto the king∣dome of Iudah. Although it appeare out of other Prophets that the same vices raigned also among the Iewes, as Dauid Psal. 14.4. complaining that all things generally were out of frame in all e∣states, sayth: Doe not all the workers of iniquitie knowe that they eate vp my people, as they eate breade? they call not vpon the Lord. Now Micheas in order after that he hath generally described the sinnes of the whole people, nowe sheweth peculiarly the notorious wic∣kednes of the Princes, vnto whom therefore he doth also threaten the greater and more heauy iudgements of God. For princes by their vertue and godlines ought to shine as lights vnto the people. And therefore Ieremie cap. 5. vers. 5. when hee hath found things farre amisse among the vulgar and simple people, thinking to finde the case better among the great ones saith: I will gette mee vnto the great men and will speake vnto them: for they haue knowen the way of the Lord, and the iudgement of their God: but these haue altoge∣ther broken the yoke, and burst the bands. Wherefore the higher that these be aboue the rest, the more foule are their vices, and giue vnto others an example and boldnes to sin. So that such men need an especiall reprehension, and the same more sharp then the rest of the people. But in this place there are reckoned vp two sortes of men, the which are aboue others, to wit, the politicke magistrates, and the Prophets as they were then called. And first of all hee setteth vpon the magistrates: and afterwards these prophets.
* 1.2Now in this verse there may be noted three things. First what is spoken: Secondly, who speaketh it: Thirdly, to whom he spea∣keth it. Concerning that which is spoken,* 1.3 it is sayd to be the due∣tie of the Nobles among the people of the magistrates of the Rulers and Princes, and that aboue and before the rest, To know iustice,* 1.4 or righteousnes, and indeede to performe and execute the same. Thereof they are called Mischphatim, Iudges. For Mischphat, [unspec 1] iudgement, is not onely a bare knowledge and vnderstanding of that which is iust and right, the which is without practise: but the vse and exercise also of this knowledge, when as the Magistrates themselues liue iustly, and minister iustice sincerely. For so doe I take the name of knowledge in this place, as 1. Ioh. 2. vers. 3. Eph 4. vers. 21. To haue knowen God, To haue learned Christ, where, with the knowledge of the trueth, and of fayth, the practise also, and the
same sincere or sound is ioyned. [unspec 2] Hee that pronounceth or spea∣keth this, is God himselfe, and especially speaking vnto and rouzing vp these Princes of the kingdome of Israel, as if they were dease, or soothes giuing little eare, that these great Peeres might diligently heare the thing, the which concerneth them, and is of so great weight. Further these things are spoken both to the heads of Ia∣cob, and vnto the Princes of the house of Israel. [unspec 3] Vnder the name of heads and Princes the prophet generally comprehendeth all which haue rule ouer the people either in peace, or in warre, or in the publike deliberations or counsel-takings of the whole com∣mon wealth: such as they are, which are called the generall states of the commonwealth, or the counsel of the publike state: or whe∣ther they haue to deale, beare office and rule in the handling of the iudgements, and courtes of suites and controuersies which arise a∣mong priuate persons. For vnto all these it appertayneth to know what is lawe and right: and also in vse and practise to shewe the same, both in themselues, and likewise in the controuersies of o∣thers, and in their life, and iudgements and sentences.
The third Ser∣mon to the prin¦ces especially of the kingdome of Israel.
1 What is spokē.
2. Who speaketh.
3. To whom he speaketh.