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Publish this among the Gentiles: prepare warre: wake vp the mightie men: Let all the men of warre drawe neere and come vp.
* 1.1HE confirmeth this ouerthrow of al the enimies of the Church by the issue or falling out of the matter which was to come.
For the former punishment seemeth properlie to appertayne vn∣to the Tyrians, Sidonians, and Philistims onelie: but this which now followeth, cōcerneth all the enimies of the Church of what nation, stock, sexe, & condition soeuer they be. Which thing be∣cause it is vncredible vnto the enimies themselues, or such a thing as they cannot beleeue, when as they are so manie in number & so mighty, yea this self same poynt seemeth oftētimes hard & cum∣bersome vnto the Church her selfe, which cōpareth her strength with the strength of her enemies: therefore doth God now in such sort represent & describe or set foorth this his iudgement against all these so manie & so mightie people & his enimies, that none may now hence foorth doubt of it for to come. For vnder a verie necessary & needful Hypotyposis or most liuely laying of the mat∣ter as it were open vnto the view of the eyes,* 1.2 there is set foorth, how great the preparation of God shal be in this war, & ouercō∣ming of his enimies: how great shall be his strength & power: what manner of host or armie: how great his might: both that he may preuent or answer a doubt, which might be made by his church, & also to shake off the careles cōsidence or foolehardines of his enimies. Wherefore this whole place is a needful Hypotyposis.
* 1.3But this verse conteineth two things. The first the denouncing or threatning of warre,* 1.4 & the same most iust warre against those enimies of his Church. For it is commaunded to be published, or to be denounced or shewed by the Prophets, as it were by Heralts vnto these Nations which haue afflicted the Church. For in such sort ought lawful warres to be made, that they be first proclaimed vnto the enimie, & that it may be shewed that he dealeth with a bad conscience, if being spoken vnto, hee render not right, and that which is answerable vnto law. The warre is commaunded to be sanctified, that is, that there be a iust cause thereof decla∣red: yea and declared that it shall be a warre, that is a most cruell warre, & most lamentable, and ful of bloud. The word (Sanctifie) therefore doth declare the lawfulnes of the warre. For no warres are at any time to be taken in hand, if they be not iust and lawful. And all lawful warres are holie, & the battels of God, and not of men. So Abigail acknowledgeth the warres of Dauid to be iust, and that he fighteth the Lords battels 1. Sam. 25. ver. 28. So 2. Chro. 20. ver. 15. Iahaziel the Leuite enspired by the Spirit of God comforteth Iehoshaphat and the people against the huge host of the Moabites and Ammonites, and sayth: Feare you not, neither 〈◊〉〈◊〉
afrayde of his great multitude: for the battell is not yours, but the Lords. The word (warre or battell) sheweth the sharpenes of this warre, and bloudie fightes.
* 1.5The second part of this verse containeth, what kinde of men shall warre in the tents for God, and shall come together against the enimies of the Church, namelie stout and mightie men and good warriours, yea and that all of them, and not onelie one or twain shall warre vnto God, or for God.
A confirmation of this ouer∣throw of the enimies of the Church.
What the figure hypoty∣posis is, see A∣mos cap. 8. ver. 12.
Two Parts of this verse.
1 A proclamati∣on of warre.
2 What manner of men the Souldiars shall bee.