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O bloody citie, it is all full of lies, and robberie: the praye departeth not.
* 1.1THe last or third sermon of the Prophet, wherein both the for∣mer threatnings of God agaynst the Assyrians are confirmed, and also the causes are shewed of so sharpe iudgement of God a∣gaynst
them. And in this sermon also doth Nachum vse the fi∣gures Hypotyposis and Prosopopoeria,* 1.2 to represent the thing to come vnto the eyes and sight of the godly Israelites: and that therefore they should the more assuredly beleeue that these things should come to passe, how mighty and vnconquerable soeuer the strength of the Assyrians and their Empire might seeme at that time for to be. But this verse hath two partes. First, the threatning of an hor∣rible or very fearefull punishment against the Niniuites.* 1.3 And the same is sufficiently signified cuē by this one particle (woe) in hebrue (Gol) in Latine (Vae) in Greeke (ouai) as may appeare almost by infinite places of the holy Scriptures.* 1.4 For whatsoeuer in the pu∣nishment of men is wont to be seene horrible, to be feared, hard, sharpe, and heauy, with the like is all contayned and noted in this one worde (Woe.)
The second parte of this verse declareth two causes why the Niniuites are thus punished:* 1.5 there shall other causes follow after∣wardes. The causes are, the Cruelty of the Niniuites, and their Co∣uetousnes. Their cruelty, and the same most barbarous, is noted in these wordes, The citie of bloods, or the bloodie citie. For by this meanes is shewed, that not onely one or twaine,* 1.6 but all the Nini∣uites indifferently and one with another were delighted and inu∣red with blood, slaughter, & murthers, & that this course of liuing and dealing was continued a long season among them without any punishment. The which is a thing common & vsual among proud nations and conquerours of the world, such as were the Niniuites, and afterwards the Romanes, to reioyce in blood. To be short, great Empires were neuer founded at the first, nor established afterward without great cruelty and shedding of blood of other peoples.
* 1.7Moreouer, the notorious couetousnes also of this people is de∣clared in these wordes, It is wholly made and full of that which is torne away, or robbery, and lying: nay they neuer cease from stealing, albeit that they be most wealthy and full of riches and goods. For the Assyrians had stolen all from other nations: wherefore, the As∣syrians when as they ouercame other nations, did not onely robbe them: but also by their presidents of prouinces, by their tributes laide vpon them, and by such other occasions daylie spoyled and flawed them, whom they had once ouercomen. The which thing was practized also afterwards by the Romanes. Further, Lying hel∣peth forward their Couetousnes: for they which haue a purpose to spoyle one vnder some honest pretence, and not by open violence,
deale by suttleties and deceits. Now, that which is torne away, and robberie, are two kindes of taking away of other mens goods. Vn∣derstand by that which is torne away, when as some part onely is ta∣ken away, because the whole could not bee gotten. Robberie is, when as the whole goods of another is stolen away, and haled in∣to our hands by vniust meanes.
The last sermō of Nahum con∣firming the for¦mer iudgments of God, and shewing causes of the same.
What these fi∣gures are, see Amos cap 8. ver. 12. & O∣seas cap. 6. ver. 1.
Two parts of this verse.
1. The threat∣ning ef a fear∣full punishmēt.
2. Two causes of this punishmēt
1. Cruelty.
2. Couetousnes.