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.

CAP. 3.

Vers. 1.

For behold, in those dayes and in that time, when I shall bring againe the captiuitie of Iudah and Ierusalem.

* 1.1A Confirmatiō of the former promise of the safetie of the Church of God to come, euen in the midst of those troubles, and hurlie burlies of the world, the which were described in the chapter be∣fore. And it is taken from the remouing away of the lets or enemies of the Church, whom God will ouerthrow, be they in number ne∣uer so great, and neuer so much to be feared. Wherefore nothing shall let God, from performing that his promised deliuerance and safetie vnto his Church. So Amos 9.15. So Mich. 7. ver. 8. And such repetitions as these, and such comforts are very necessary and need∣full for the godlie, least they faint by reason of the continuance of the euils and troubles, or bee feared with the multitude of the ene∣mies, & so be brought into despayre. In a word, through this whole chapter is promised the ouerthrow of the enemies of the Church, and of such as doe afflict or trouble it.

* 1.2But this verse containeth the noting out of the time, wherein these things shall be done by God, namely, when as God shall bring againe the captiuitie of Iudah, that is to say, when as he shall gather together his scattered Church. For this promise is generall, and comprehendeth the whole time, in the which there shall be or ••••∣maine any Church in this world. For albeit God sometime haue gathered his Church more noblie and with greater renowme o•••• of her miserable scattering into other countries, as after the capti∣uitie of Babylon, vnder the Machabees: & especially by the preach∣ing of the Gospell after the comming of Christ: yea, and no•• in

these last times doth gather it together, of his great mercy restoring vnto vs and renuing the light of the Gospell: yet is it notwithstan∣ding most true, that God is alwayes present with his Church, and doth keepe it, and breake the power of the enemies thereof, that they destroy it not vtterly. Wherefore how often soeuer God will restore it, then also doe those most assured iudgements of God a∣gainst the enemies of his Church, which are here threatned, ap∣peare, and are executed by him.

Vers. 2.

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them downe into the valley of Iehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people, and for mine heritage Israel, whom they haue scattered a∣mong the nations, and parted my land.

* 1.3THis verse comprehendeth three things, the which without all doubt do declare the destruction to come to the enemies of the Church. The first containeth the place. The second, whom God will punish. The third, for what cause.* 1.4 The place is sayd that it shal be the valley of Iehoshaphat, to wit, by the figure Metalepsis (which what it is see Oseas cap. 4. ver. 18.) that looke what, and what maner of benefite of God the people of the Iewes did once feele in that valley when God gaue that mightie ouerthrow vnto his enemies the Moabites and Ammonites 2. Chro. 20. the like shall the church alwayes feele, when as it is deliuered by God, namely, that he will in a moment destroy all the enemies thereof, although they haue neuer so much conspired together, bee neuer so diuers or many in number. See Psal. 83. Now they which shall be gathered together,* 1.5 iudged and punished by God, are the Gentiles, that is, men & peo∣ple which remaine infidels and vnbeleeuers. For as for those which shall turne vnto the true God, and shal receiue Christ by faith, they shall not be destroyed by God, nor be inwrapped in this iudgemēt. Therefore the vnfaithfull onely shall bee gathered, and that all of them, that is, out of euery nation, and people, which haue afflicted the Church of God. Lastly, the cause is added, namely,* 1.6 for that they haue both scattered the people of God among the Gentiles: & also moreouer haue diuided their land among themselues, & haue rob∣bed and spoyled it: yet both this people, and also this their land was the people and inheritance of God himselfe only. Wherefore those infidels shall iustly bee punished by God, in regard of a double sa∣••••ledge or theeuerie to Godward, namely, because they robbed

and spoyled both the people of GOD, and also the lande of God.

Vers. 3.

And they haue cast lots for my people, and haue giuen the child for the harlot, and sold the girle for wine, that they might drinke.

* 1.7AN amplification of this villanie or despite and wrong done by these heathen or infidels, not vnto men, but vnto God himselfe, which amplification is taken from this notorious despite of theirs. For these Gentiles breaking both that priuiledge and authoritie which God had peculiarly ouer this people: and also the generall lawes and teaching of nature and humanitie, handled and vsed the Church of God most shamefully, nay most cruelly. For they did not only make that whole nation captiues, and diuided them amōg themselues by lot, as couetous Souldiers are wont to doe their pray and bootie, and as they did with the garments of Christ Matth. 27. but also they intreated the godly so despitefully and villanously, that they sold the boyes and the girles as the drosse of the world, for a most small and low price, the which afterward they conuer∣ted or turned vnto lewd and wicked vses, as namely into whore∣dome and drunkennes.* 1.8 So in times past the captiue Sardians in re∣proch were called Saleable, or (as we may terme them) dog-cheap slaues, who because of their cheapenes, and great numbers of them were sold for a farthing a piece, or for a matter of nothing. And truly in such sort commonly doe the vngodly handle the godlie, when as they fall into their hands, that they esteeme not so much of them, as they doe of other slaues of other infidell and vnbeleeuing nations: nay, many times they make not so good reckoning of them, as they doe of most vile and filthie dogges. But because of such crueltie of men against men, God is most grieuously angrie Amos cap. 1. and 2. So one day will God destroy the Turks, because of the like crueltie against Christians.

Vers. 4.

Yea, and what haue you to doe with me, O Tyrus and Zid••••, and all the costes of Palestina? will ye render me a recompence and if ye recompence me, swiftly and speedily will I render your r••∣compence vpon your head.

* 1.9AN application of the former iniurie and despite done agay•••••• God, and the people of God. First vnto the Tyrians: after••••••••••

vnto the Sidonians, and lastly vnto them of Palestina, or the Phi∣listims. All these God accuseth of a three fold crime,* 1.10 and the same most hainous, that is to say, of iniustice, sacriledge, and barbarous cruelty. Of iniustice in this verse.* 1.11 For they thus afflicted or plagued the church vpon no cause, in as much as they were no way prouo∣ked by her, but made vniust warre against the church of God, being moued thereunto through the hatred of God only. Therefore saith the Lord, there is no iust cause of this punishment by you layd vpō my church. There hath no occasion bin giuen you. Therefore you can pretend or allege no recompence, that is, no requittance of any wrong done vnto you before, for the cause of your cruelty against my church. Therefore you are in this point altogether vniust and wrongfull dealers. But I when as I shall punish you, shall be iust euen therefore, or in so doing. For I shall iustly pay home vpon your owne heads the price of this your wickednes. For I shal giue vnto you a reward of your so great iniustice.

Ver. 5.

For ye haue taken my siluer, and my gold, and haue caried into your temples my goodly and pleasant thinges.

SEcondly he accuseth them of sacriledge,* 1.12 or the euery against God, to wit, for that they haue taken from him, that is, from the true God, an holy thing, or such goodes as were appoynted for his seruice, and haue conuerted or bestowed them vpon the wor∣shippe and temples of their idols, wickedly profaning or vnhalow∣ing diuine and holy thinges, or such as were ordained vnto holy v∣ses. So doth Balthasar with the vessels of the temple Dan. 5. Which thing is a notorious sacriledge or robbery against God.

Ver. 6.

The children also of Iudah, and the children of Ierusalem haue you solde vnto the Grecians, that you might send them farre from their border.

THirdly he accuseth them of barbarous cruelty, namely,* 1.13 that they were not content to carry away captiue the children of Iu∣dah, and of Ierusalem, that is such men and people as both were neighbours vnto them, and also peculiarly dedicated or appointed vnto God, and to sell them as if they had bin brute beastes: but also through singular cruelty they did seatter them into the farthest countries, that possibly they could, as namely selling them vnto

Grecians and Barbarians, and men dwelling beyond the sea, to that end that the Iewes should by no meanes be able to redeeme or ransome themselues afterward, and to returne vnto their natiue soyle, or country where they were borne, by reason of the distance of places, and straungenes & cruelty of the men, vnto whom they were in bondage. So then their purpose was to keepe them bond slaues for euer, so far as lay in these Sidonians, Syrians, and Phili∣stims. So Amos 1. ver. 6. the Philistims are accused for that they sold the captiue Iewes vnto people that were greatest enemies vn∣to them. Furthermore by these wordes the sonnes or children of Iu∣dah and Ierusalem, I doubt not but that the treachery or vnfaithful∣nes of the Tirians, the old and ancient confederates of the Iewes is reprehended, as who namely had so most cruelly broken the olde leagues betweene their kinges and the kinges of the Iewes, as aun∣cient as from the times of Salomon and Hiram, as may appeare 1. King. 5. and had forgotten the same.

Ver. 7.

Behold, I will raise them out of the place, where ye haue sold them and will render your reward vpon your owne head.

* 1.14A Confirmation of the former promise and comfort, the which was set foorth vnto the Iewes or church of God. This confir∣mation is twofold. The one is taken from the restoring of the Iewes themselues: the other from the ouerthrow of the enemies of the church. The renuing and restoring of the Iewes, or scattered church,* 1.15 is conteined in this verse: the ouerthrowe of the enemies in the verse following. God then promiseth that it shall come to passe, that he himselfe will gather his church, albeit that the same by them be neuer so much scattered: yea & that out of what place soeuer, into the which they haue strowed and scattered them. So Psal. 107. ver. 3. Dauid willeth those whom God hath gathered together from the landes of the East & of the West, and of the North, and of the south, to praise the Lord. Wherefore there are two things here to be noted: one, the person of him that gathereth them toge∣ther. And that is God himselfe, the Lord almighty and true. I, saith he, will raise them vp and bring them againe. The second thing is, that he saith, out of what place soeuer ye haue sold the Iewes. For nothing can withstand the grace & power of God, that he should not fulfill his promises towarde his church. Let this therefore al∣wayes comfort the godly in what place soeuer they shall be.

Ver. 8.

And I will sell your sonnes and your daughters into the hand of the children of Iudah, and they shall sell them vnto the Sabians, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it.

* 1.16THe ouerthrow of the enemies of the church, and the same most lamentable. For they in the iust iudgement of God shall fall into the selfe same miseries, the which they haue deuised and pro∣cured for the church. So then God requiteth vnto his enemies the selfe same mischeefe the which they haue cruelly inuented against the church: and rendreth vnto them like for like, as he smote the Philistines in the hinder partes, and put them vnto a perpetuall shame, Psal. 78. ver. 66. who had shamefully vsed God his people, and sinned fouly against him in beastly idolatry. For the same in the end reboundeth vpon their owne partes, the which they had framed against the godly, and men fearing the Lord. So Dauid speaketh of the vngodly, Psal. 7. ver. 15.16. He hath made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the pit that he made. His mischeefe shall returne vpon his owne head, & his cruelty shall fall vpon his owne pate. And this is a most iust punishment of these wicked men, & enemies of God, that they themselues feele and suffer the harme & misery the which they do forge and goe about for others. The which in this place God threatneth, shall fall out vnto the enemies of his church.* 1.17 Therefore this punishment threatned by God con∣taineth three things. First, that it shall come to passe that their sonnes and daughters also shall be sold for captiues into bondage, as they namely solde the sonnes and daughters of Iudah. The se∣cond,* 1.18 that they shall be solde, and caried away into captiuity by the Iewes themselues, as they sold them, and held and kept them captiues. The third,* 1.19 that they also themselues shall be sold by the same Iewes vnto the Sabeans, and people far off, that they may serue a perpetuall and most miserable bondage beyond all hope of be∣ing redeemed & ransomed afterwardes,* 1.20 like as they sold the Iewes vnto the Grecians and nations far off into perpetual and miserable bondage. And this is a iust requitance of punishment.

Vers. 9.

Publish this among the Gentiles: prepare warre: wake vp the mightie men: Let all the men of warre drawe neere and come vp.

* 1.21HE 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,* 1.22 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.

* 1.23But this verse conteineth two things. The first the denouncing or threatning of warre,* 1.24 & 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.

* 1.25The 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.

Vers. 10.

Breake your plowe shares into swordes, and your siethes into speares: Let the weake say, I am strong.

* 1.26NOw the great preparation of this warre is described, the which might both strengthen the Church: and also terrifie or feare the enimies. For all things shall doe God seruice in this warre. Their plow shares and siethes shall be turned into swords and speares most willinglie by them all against the enimes of God. But where the peace of God reigneth, the contrarie is done: For then all weapons are turned into siethes & plow shares. Isa. 2. Mich. 4. Finallie there shall none be willing to haue himselfe excused, or priuiledged from this warre. For the weake shall then be strong and valiant for the fighting of this battel. And there∣fore he shall come into the Tents of God. For God shall make them all strong and lustie at that time, as he did the Israelites, when he brought them out of Egypt, of whom Dauid sayth Psal. 105. vers. 37. He brought them foorth also with siluer and gold, and there was none feeble among their tribes.

Vers. 11.

Assemble your selues, and come all ye heathen, and gather your selues together round about:* 1.27 there shall the Lord cast downe thy mightie men.

IN the third place is brieflie, but yet liuelie described the readi∣nes, obedience, and order of the Souldiares in this host of God.* 1.28 Their readines, in that when as the Lord shall saie (gather your selues together) they shal by & by and foorthwith be gathered to∣gether. Their obedience also is declared: in that they shall come round about or from all places, and not from one place onelie: but looke how many, and from whence soeuer shall by God be bidden and called vntoth is warre, they shall giue in their names by and by, and come into the tentes of God, to fight against his

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enimies. Lastlie their order is signified by the word it selfe of ga∣thering together,* 1.29 and for that the mightie men of God shall come downe, that is, they shal march euerie man in his order, as becom∣meth good & skilfull Souldiers. Now these mightie men are sayd by some to be the good Angels of God, the which doe fight for the Church of God: but of others they are sayde to be the selfe same, who a little before were called mightie men, and men of warre. I had rather vnderstand it of the good Angels, albeit I shut not out men. For both Angels and men are the ministers of God, to punish the wicked. Of the Angels Iude in his Epistle speaketh, when he sayth ver 14. Behold the Lord shall come with thousands of his Saints, to giue iudgement against all men, &c. And Psal. 68. ver. 17. The chariots of God are twentie thousand thousand Angels, & the Lord is among them, as in the Sanctuarie of Sinai.

Ver. 12.

Let the heathen be wakened, and come vp to the valley of Iehosaphat: for there will I sit to iudge all the heathen, round about.

* 1.30HYpophora, or the answering of an obiection, whereby GOD meeteth with a great doubt, the which might hereby rise in the mindes of the Godlie: because that at that time when as these things were threatned and vttered by Ioel, the whole world was quiet: nay conspyred vnto the destruction of the Church: to be short there appeared nothing in any Nation, the which might rayse vp, or cause this hope of the sturring of Nations against the enimies of the Church. God therefore answereth, that they shall notwithstanding be raysed vp, and that assuredlie: but then at the length, when as God will in deed exercise these iudgements against them, and when as the measure of their iniquitie, and of their crueltie and malice against the Church shalbe filled vp. Therefore this verse conteineth a confirmation of the former promise, that is, of the deliuerance to come of the godlie from their enimies, and the maner, place, and time of the fulfilling of the same. The manner is, that God will raise vp the Nations out of their seates, albeit they be now quiet: and they shall obey God calling them.* 1.31 For they shal come vp & that armed & gatherd to gether against the enimies of the Church. The place is the valley of Iehoshaphat, whereof hath been spoken before in this Chap∣ter ver. 2. the time is,* 1.32 when as God wil in deed iudge those his em∣mies, and defer,* 1.33 or put off their punishment no longer, as then he

did, namelie in the time of Ioel: but afterward God will sit on his throne as a iudge to condemne them. In this consideration, that the Lord will one daye iudge the cause of his against their e∣nimies, Dauid doth both cōfort himself & also prayeth vnto God often in the P••almes to performe the same, as Psal. 7. ver. 7.8, So shall the congregation of the people compasse thee about: for their sakes therefore returne on hie. And Psalm. 10. ver. 12. Arise O Lord God, lyft vp thine hand: forget not the poore, &c. Let this therefore comfort the true Church of God at this day also, especiallie that in Flaunders, which is most miserablie afflicted.

Vers. 13.

Put in your siethes, for the haruest is ripe: come, get yee downe, for the wine presse is full: yea the wine presses ran ouer, for their wickednes is great.

A Making of the former matter more plaine. For he sheweth both how and after what manner,* 1.34 or with what signe GOD wilrayse vp those Nations: and also whie he doth defer it or put∣teth it off for a time. The signe is set foorth metaphorically,* 1.35 taking a similitude from the sieth of the mowers, as it is also Apoca. 14. vers. 15.16. where the Angel crying alowd to him that sate on the cloude, sayth: Thrust in thy sickle, and reape: for the time is come to reape: for the haruest of the earth is ripe.* 1.36 And he that sate on the Cloude, thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was rea∣ped. God then sendeth his sieth, and giueth a signe, the which being giuen, all the Nations of the world are stirred vp to exe∣cute the iudgementes of God. This signe is perceiued of vs by the euent or falling out of the matter afterward, and after the deed done, as they call it: that is, after that we see nations thus gathered together. Confer this place with that of Mat. cap. 13. ver. 39. where a like similitude is vsed.

The cause why God deferreth, it is his merciful iustice, for he wai∣teth patiently for sinners for a time, that either they should repēt: or els fil vp the measure of their sins: & cōsequently that the most righteous iudgement of God may then appeare, that is, worthelie bestirred vp against such, & so stubborne sinners: for the obstinate or stifnecked vngodlie ones appeare like vnto the haruest that is to be cut down, & their wickednes in the end is so great, that like vnto a most full wine presse it doth run ouer into the streets, that is, may be seene openlie, and must of necessitie be punished.

So Gen. 15. ver. 16. God sheweth vnto Abraham that the wicked∣nes of the Amorites was not yet full. GOD therefore doth iustly deferre or put off, and delay his iudgements.

Vers. 14.

O multitude, O multitude: come into the valley of thres∣shing: for the day of the Lorde is neere in the valley of thres∣shing.

* 1.37ANother cōfirmation of the former iudgment threatned against the enemies of the church ver. 9. taken from their great ouer∣throw, that is, from the effect, the which in the end shall appeare fearefull. For there shall lie heapes of them that are slaine, that is, their dead bodies shall lie euery where, so great a slaughter, mur∣ther, and ouerthrow doubtles shall there bee of them. And these things shall be done in the valley of cutting off or of thresshing, the which is now so called, of the effect: like as before it was called the valley of Iehosaphat,* 1.38 of the iudgement which God will vse there. But this is no one certaine place in the land of Iudah: but euery countrey, where God doth thus ouerthrow and cast down his ene∣mies, when he hath cut them off or thresshed them, is thus called the valley of cutting off or of threshing. Finally, whersoeuer the day of the Lord, that is, the time of his iudgement against the wicked approcheth, there by and by is prepared this valley of cutting off, or of thresshing, and of Iehosaphat, where God doth punish and cutte off the wicked with a foule slaughter and ouerthrow.

Vers. 15.

The sunne and moone shall be darkened, and the starres shall withdraw their light.

* 1.39THe first amplification of this euent and fearfull ouerthrow, by the adioynts. For then the sunne and the moone shall loose their brightnes: also the starres shall withdraw their light, that is, all the powers of the world, the kings, all highnesses against GOD, shall be throwen downe, and the state of this world shall bee hor∣rible, and full of feare and terror.* 1.40 This afterwards came to passe in the world oftentimes, and shall also come to passe vnto the ende of the world. For both when God punished the Iewes for the cru∣cifiyng of Christ: and the worlde for the Idolatries of the former time vnder the Emperours of Rome, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian: and also the contempt or despising of his name afterward in the

East, Thracia, and Grecia, by the Saracens, Turkes, and Mahome∣tists; doubtles many Kings and Princes perished: and the sunnes of the worlde, and the moones, and many starres lost their light, that is, Kings and Queenes and great States perished. See before cap. 2. ver. 13.

Vers. 16.

The Lord also shall roare out of Zion, and vtter his voice from Ierusalem: and the heauens and the earth shall shake, but the Lord will bee the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

* 1.41ANother amplification of the sayd destruction and ouerthrowe of the enemies of the church, taken also from the adioynts, but diuers from the verse before going, namely, from the wrath of God against those his enemies, and the same most hot and fierce, such as is that of a Lyon roaring for his pray. For then shall that voyce of God being angry, and pursuing them, strike an exceeding great feare into the vngodly. So is God his comming against his ene∣mies full of feare and terrour described Psal. 18. ver. 8, 9, 13. Smoke went out at his nostrels, & a consuming fire out of his mouth: coles were kindled thereat. He bowed the heauens also, and came downe, and darkenes was vnder his feete. The Lord also thundred in the heauen, and the highest gaue his voyce, haylestones and coles of fire. So is Ie∣remie willed to describe God to the terrifiyng of all the inhabitants of the earth cap. 25. vers. 30. Therefore Prophesie thou against them (saith God) all those words, and say vnto them: The Lord shall roare from aboue, and thrust out his voyce from his holy habitation: he shal roare vpon his habitation and crie aloude, as they that presse the grapes against all the inhabitants of the earth. And there shall be so great trembling of all things hereupon, that both the heauen and the earth it selfe shall bee moued. But the Lord Iehouah will be there∣fuge, and strength vnto his people.

* 1.42This is a comfort vnto the Church, the which is opposed or set against the former threatnings against the enemies thereof, that the godly may vnderstand, that they in the so great destruction and miserie of the vngodly shall bee safe and sound notwithstanding, nay vntouched, when as God shall in such sorte thunder and ligh∣ten from heauen: and when as the heauen and earth it selfe shall tremble.

The reason is added, because then God shall be the hope or re∣fuge,* 1.43 and strength of his church, the which he calleth both his peo∣ple and also the sonnes of Israel. The sonnes of Israel are all the godly, because of their fayth common vnto them with Israel. They are also the people of God, because of the peculiar couenant of God made with them. Hereby appeareth howe exceeding great the force and power of the fayth of the godly is, as which name∣ly being grounded vpon the promises of God by Christ, is not sha∣ken, no not in the midst of the terror or feare of the whole world. For this faith is our victory against the world, and the diuel, and hel, Mat. 16. and 1. Iohn. 5.

Vers. 17

So shall know that I am the Lord your GOD dwel∣ling in Zion mine holy Mountayne: then shall Ierusalem bee holy, and there shall no straungers goe thorowe her any more.

THe conclusion, that God will be the protector or defendor of those that are his:* 1.44 and therefore that he will dwel among them, or in the middle of them: and that he will then purge or cleanse his church, and establish it, euen against all the vngodly, and stran∣gers. Finally, by so manifest signes and tokens, that all the godly may easily acknowledge it. This is the summe of this pillar and most great & sure foundation of our saluation, the which is groun∣ded and standeth wholly vpon the meere and only grace of GOD. And there are two things here to be noted, the one a manifolde te∣stimony or witnes of God toward those that are his.* 1.45 The other, the acknowledging and obseruation of the same,* 1.46 the which must be done of vs, that we may be thankfull vnto God. For it is a shame to shut our eyes at the manifest testimonies of the mercie of God toward vs,* 1.47 and that which the sense it selfe of our bodie, and experi∣ence may teach vs, nay doth teach vs, yet neither to obserue not note the same in our minde vnto the glory of God, and setting forth of his mercy toward vs: but (after the manner of those that play winking) to passe ouer the same with blind eyes, or seeing them, not to haue any care or keepe of them. The which doubtles is a noto∣rious vnthankfulnes and treachery of men toward God. This vn∣thankfulnes doth Dauid cast in the teeth of the Israelites Psal. 1••6.

ver. 7, 8, &c. saying: Our fathers vnderstoode not thy wonders in E∣gypt, neither remembred they the multitude of thy mercies, but re∣belled at the sea, euen at the red sea. Neuertheles he saued them for his names sake, that he might make his power to be knowen, &c.

* 1.48Now the testimonie or witnes of God his especiall fauour to∣ward those that are his is here reckoned vp to be fourefolde. The first, that he which is the most high, and only, and true, and eter∣nall, and almighty God, or Iehouah, is peculiarly their GOD, and not onely in such sorte as he is the God of other men also.* 1.49 This do the faithfull acknowledge Psal. 105. v. 7. when as they say, He is the Lord our God: his iudgements are through all the earth. And more plainely yet doth Dauid expresse the same Psalm. 147. ver. 19.20. in these words: He sheweth his word vnto Iaacob, his statutes and his iudgements vnto Israel. He hath not dealt so with euerie nation, nei∣ther haue they knowen his iudgements.

The second testimonie is, that the same God dwelleth in the midst of them, the which dwelling in regarde of that time he cal∣leth,* 1.50 To dwell in Sion his holy mountaine. For so is the church allego∣rically or mystically and figuratiuely defined, namely, that it is said to be that same holy mountaine in the which God dwelleth Psal. 24. Psal. 68. ver. 16. As for this mountain, God delighteth to dwel in it: yea, the Lord will dwell in it for euer. And GGD dwelleth in his church after a peculiar and especiall maner, because of those Sacra∣ments of his presence, the which he hath giuen peculiarly vnto it: as is the preaching of the pure and heauenly doctrine, the admini∣stration of the sacraments, and the manifest powring out of diuine graces vpon it. This is the second signe of the fauour of God to∣wards those which are his. The third,* 1.51 that he maketh the same his church holy, and doth daylie sanctifie it, to wit, through forgiuenes of sinnes, and regeneration or newe birth, the which doth daylie mortifie or kill in vs the kingdome of sinne. The fourth testimo∣nie is, that strangers, that is, those that are without, or Infidels,* 1.52 and his enemies tread it not vnder their feete at their pleasure, but hee keepeth, or driueth them away from it, whilest he doth defend it a∣gaynst their force and violence.

Vers. 18

And in that day shall the mountaines drop downe newe wine, and the hilles shall flow with milke, and all the riuers of Iudah shall runne with waters, and a fountaine shall come foorth of the house of the Lorde, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

* 1.53AN amplification of this comfort & fauour taken frō the maruei∣lous and wonderful effects of the same both toward the church, and also toward the enemies thereof. Toward the church, for that it shall then abound with all kinde of good things, when as GOD shall manifestly shew himselfe vnto it, and doth shew himselfe. But these good things and giftes of all sortes by reason of the infancie of that people at that time, and of things wherwithal they were ac∣quainted, are set forth vnder the name of things, or earthly blessings, as of Must, or new wine, Milke, water springing forth of the house of God, dayly watering it as a valley planted and ful of most choice & dainty Cedars Psal. 92. Yet God then gaue vnto his true church, and now also giueth and bestoweth vpon it not onely earthly bles∣sings, but much rather spirituall giftes and graces.

Vert. 19.

Egypt shall be waste, and Edom shal be a desolate wilder∣nesse, for the iniuries of the children of Iudah, because they haue shed innocent blood in their land.

* 1.54NOw Ioel declareth those effects which shal be shewed against the disobedient and stubborne enemies of the Church, to wit, they shall vtterly be rooted out, and perish. For so much do these wordes signifie, shal be waste, and a desolate wildernesse. And here vnder the name of Egypt, and of the Idumeans are described not e∣uery kinde of enemies whatsoeuer, but most obstinate and cruell enemies. For these two nations were alwayes most deadly ene∣mies vnto the Iewes, & in a maner irreconcileable, or such as could neuer be made friends with them: yea and moreouer most cruell towards the same Iewes. For as it is Psalm. 137. ver. 7. the Edo∣mites at the taking of Ierusalem by the Babylonians stirre vp the e∣nemies to vse all kinde of cruelty towardes both the poore Iewes, and also against their citie, for vengeance whereof they there ma••e this prayer vnto God: Remember the children of Edom, O L••••••

in the day of Ierusalem, which sayd, rase it, rase it to the foundation thereof. And as for Egypt, that is sayd to haue bin an iron fornace vnto the Iewes. Therefore besides their obstinacy and stubborn∣nes of mind against God, their cruelty also is here added. For they the self-same do shead, and haue shed the bloud of the godly, yea and that their giltles bloud: that is to say, they haue cruelly murthe∣red the godly deseruing no such thinge at their hand: yea euen in the very land of the children of Israel, that is in their owne natiue foile or country where they were borne. That which increaseth the barbarousnes of the enemies of the Church.

Ver. 20.

But Iudah shall dwell for euer, and Ierusalem from genera∣tion to generation.

* 1.55A Second amplification of the same comfort, or especiall fauour of God toward those that are his, to wit taken from the conti∣nuance or rather the perpetuity or euerlastingnes of the same. For this fauour of God shall not only be most singular and most health∣full vnto them: but it shall be also perpetuall, or euerlasting, because it shall neuer be taken away from them. The which thing doubt∣les is also true of the spirituall ioy of the godly in this world: but in deede most true of that euerlasting life in the world to come. For the godly shal feele and also do feele both these ioyes to be perpe∣tuall vnto them. Therefore like as the fauour of God is perpetu∣all toward his church: so also shall the church it selfe be perpetuall: not in this world, I graunt, but in the world to come or in heauen. Indeed the church of God in this world, is often inuisible, or can not be seene, but yet doth it not therefore cease to be a church. But in heauen it shall not onely be a church: but alwayes visible, and al∣wayes blessed and florishing with God and the man Iesus Christ our Lord being her head.

Ver. 21.

For I will clense their bloud, that I haue not clensed, and the Lord will dwell in Sion.

* 1.56A Third amplification with the setting downe of the cause of so great benefites of God toward those that are his. The ampli∣fication is here made by way of comparing of thinges together. For that the giftes of God afterward shall be greater, & more plen∣tifull toward his church, then they had bin before, or in times of

olde.* 1.57 That which is here by the figure Synecdoche expressed vn∣der one kinde of ceremonies in steed of the rest. I will clense, saith the Lord, their bloud in her, the which notwithstandding I did not clense in her. Thus then the grace of God afterward shall be more excellent toward his church, then it was before, as namely the which shal take away al kinde of vncleanes, yea euen that which he did not clense before. But this is referred vnto the ceremonies of the law, the which at that time were in vse among the people of the Iewes, by the which euery bloud was not clensed. For albeit the bloud of termes, of beastes, of murthers vnawares, were clensed, vnder the law by certaine rites and ceremonies: yet was not the bloud which was willingly shed in the murther of men, clensed by any ceremony. Gen. 9. Therefore that which in the church of God vnder the law could not be washed away by the washinges and sacraments then ordained, the same afterward shall wholly be washed away and clensed, the grace of God beinge enlarged, by the comming of Christ, as the autor to the Hebr. writeth cap. 7. ver. 19. saying, The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope, made perfect, whereby we drawe neere vnto God. And cap. 9. ver. 13.14. He sheweth the bloud of Christ to be of much more value aboue the sacrifices of the law to purge our con∣sciences from dead workes to serue the liuing God.* 1.58 And this here spoken, is not referred vnto God, as if that then vnder the lawe, of a certaine weakenesse or want of power he were not able to purge or clense those thinges, the which he saith that he will clense afterward: neither yet doth it properly appertaine vnto the for∣giuenes of sinnes the which euen at that time by God was per∣formed vnto the godly. For as vnto vs, so likewise vnto those fa∣thers euen before the comming of Christ God forgaue all their sinnes, yet through him notwithstanding, as he pardoneth all vn∣to vs for the self-same Christ. 1. Ioh. 1. ver. 9. Apocal. 13. ver. 8. But this comparison pertaineth only vnto the sacraments of the fathers,* 1.59 and our Sacraments, and vnto the rites or ceremonies vn∣der which that benefit of God was then shewed vnto them, and is nowe represented vnto vs. For vnto vs now through Baptisme, and the Lordes supper, the benefites of God, and the forgiuenes of our sinnes, yea euen all of them, are more clearely and fully sea∣led, then in the old time vnder the law.

* 1.60Now the cause of this so great, and enlarged a benefit of God toward vs, is the dwelling and presence of God in his church. And

this dwelling is properly to be referred vnto Christ, and vnto his incarnation or taking of flesh vpon him, by the which hee dwel∣led among vs, and liued visibly or to be seene in the middes of his church, namely being God then manifest in the flesh, as Iohn in his gospell speaketh hereof cap. 1. ver. 14. saying, The word was made flesh, and dwelt among vs, (and we saw the glory thereof, as the glory of the only begotten sonne of the Father,) full of grace & trueth. Accordingly whereunto writeth Paul. 1. Tim. 3. ver. 16. And without controuersie, great is the mystery of godlynes, which is, God is manifested in the flesh, iustified in the spirit, seene of Angels, preached vnto the Gentiles, beleeued on in the world, and receiued vp in glory. Thus therefore I do expound this last verse of our Prophet Ioel of the comming of the Sonne of God, and our Lord Iesus Christ into the flesh, and of the benefites through him bestowed vpon the Church.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A confirmatiō of the former promise, taken from the remo∣uing of the lets or enemies of the Church.
• * 1.2

  The time, in the which God shall performe these things.
• * 1.3

  1. The place. 2. The persons. 3. The cause.
• * 1.4

  1. The valley of Iehoshaphat.
• * 1.5

  2. The vnbelee∣uing people & nations what∣soeuer.
• * 1.6

  3. Because they haue scattered the people of God among the heathen, and haue diuided their land.
• * 1.7

  An amplifica∣tion of the de∣spite and iniu∣rie offered by the heathen vnto the people of God:
• * 1.8

  The Sardians.
• * 1.9

  An application of the former despite vnto 3. seueral peoples.
• * 1.10

  1 Iniustice. 2 Sacrilege. 3 Cruelty.
• * 1.11

  1. Iniustice.
• * 1.12

  2 Sacrilege.
• * 1.13

  3 Cruelty.
• * 1.14

  A confirmation of the former promise the which is two∣fold.
• * 1.15

  1 Taken from the restoring of the Iewes.
• * 1.16

  2 From the mise∣rable ouer∣throw of their enemies.
• * 1.17

  The punishmēt here threatned containeth three things.
• * 1.18

  1. Their sonnes and daughters shall be sold.
• * 1.19

  2. They shall be sold by the Iewes.
• * 1.20

  3 They shall be sold vnto nati∣ons far off.
• * 1.21

  A confirmation of this ouer∣throw of the enimies of the Church.
• * 1.22

  What the figure hypoty∣posis is, see A∣mos cap. 8. ver. 12.
• * 1.23

  Two Parts of this verse.
• * 1.24

  1 A proclamati∣on of warre.
• * 1.25

  2 What manner of men the Souldiars shall bee.
• * 1.26

  A description of this prepa∣ration vnto battell.
• * 1.27

  Or cause there thy mightie men, O Lord to come downe.
• * 1.28

  1 Readines. 2 Obedience.
• * 1.29

  3 Order. By the exposi∣tiō of this verse it seemeth that the Author translated it thus: Assemble your selues and come al ye Nations: and they shall gather them selues together round about: there shall the mightie men of the Lord come downe.
• * 1.30

  A confirmati∣on of the for∣mer promise of the deliuerāce of the Church, conteyning the manner, place, and time of the same.
• * 1.31

  1 The manner.
• * 1.32

  2 The place.
• * 1.33

  3 The time.
• * 1.34

  Two partes of this verse.
• * 1.35

  1 With what signe God will rayse vp the Nations.
• * 1.36

  2 Why he def••r∣reth.
• * 1.37

  A confirmatiō of the former iudgement a∣gaynst the ene∣mies of the church.
• * 1.38

  Where the val ley of Iehosha∣phatis.
• * 1.39

  The first am∣plification of thie feareful o∣uerthrow.
• * 1.40

  What is ment by the sunne, moone, & stars loosiug their light, and brightnes.
• * 1.41

  Another am∣plificatiō of the former destru∣ction.
• * 1.42

  A comfort for the churah.
• * 1.43

  The reason of the same com∣fort.
• * 1.44

  The conclusion
• * 1.45

  Two things to be noted.
• * 1.46

  1. A manifold te∣stimony of God toward his.
• * 1.47

  2. The acknow∣ledging of the same by the godly.
• * 1.48

  A fourefold te∣stimonie of God toward those that are his.
• * 1.49

  1. God is the God of his church after a peculiar and especiall maner.
• * 1.50

  2. God dwelleth in the midst of his church.
• * 1.51

  3. God doth san∣tifie his church.
• * 1.52

  4. He doth defend it against the violence of strā¦gers, or Infidels.
• * 1.53

  An amplifica∣tion of this com¦fort by the ef∣fects thereof.
• * 1.54

  2. Toward the e∣nemies of the church.
• * 1.55

  A second am∣plification of the fauour of God toward his Church.
• * 1.56

  The third am∣plification by way of compa∣rison, and set∣ting downe the cause of so great benefites of God toward his church.
• * 1.57

  What the fi∣gure Synecdo∣che is, see Amos cap 5. ver. 21.
• * 1.58

  A very profita∣ble note.
• * 1.59

  Whereunto this comparison pertaineth.
• * 1.60

  The cause of these so great benefites of God toward his church,