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. 20.

Thou wilt performe thy trueth to Iacob, and mercy to Abraham, as thou hast sworne to our fathers in old time.

* 1.1THe conclusion of this whole place and chapter, the which al∣so containeth a reason and cause of this bounteousnes of God taken from his expresse, nay repeated word. [unspec 1] So then God will performe these things vnto those that are his, namely because he hath so expresly promised, & that not once only, but oftentimes. Moreouer he doth not promise these things in a bare promise a∣lone, [unspec 2] and in wordes (the which notwithstanding is alwaies most true) Tit. 1. ver. 2. but also plainely setting downe an oth. So Zacharas in his song Luc. 1. ver. 73. sheweth that God in regard of his couenant and oth made vnto the fathers, performed the re∣demtion & deliuerance of his people. Lastly, [unspec 3] he hath not now first promised this selfe same thing concerning the deliuerance of his Church, but long sithens, and from the daies of olde, that this should not be thought to be a new and strange doctrine, and vnheard of, but olde and confirmed now in many ages. Where∣fore the Prophet in this place maketh mention of Iacob, Abra∣ham, & the other fathers,* 1.2 vnto whome long sithens the promises concerning Christ, and so consequently of the perpetuitie or con∣tinuance of the Church, haue been either made or repeated and rehearsed againe.* 1.3 And they are called the Mercie or benefite of God, if both the cause of them, and also the matter it selfe, which they comprehend, be considered. For the free goodnes of God

is the cause of them, and that selfe same thing which these pro∣mises conteine,* 1.4 is a singular benefite of God towardes the godly. They are also termed the Trueth of God, if the certantie of these promises be looked vnto. For they are most true, and altogether and in euery respect to be in deed and trueth in their due time fulfilled. For God which cannot deceiue, hath promised them with an oth. So the Author to the Hebrewes cap. 6. ver. 18. Saith, that God willing more abundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise the stablenes of his counsell, bound himselfe by an oth, that by two im∣mutable things, wherein it is impossible that God should lye, we might haue strong consolation, which haue our refuge to holde fast the hope, which is set before vs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The conclusion of this place & Chapter.
• * 1.2

  Gods promise ca••led
• * 1.3

  Mercie.
• * 1.4

  Trueth.