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.

* 1.1

Vers. 4.

Her Prophets are light and wicked persons: her Priests haue polluted the Sanctuarie: they haue wrested the law.

THe secōd kind of Rulers of the people, namely the Priests, whō themselues also the Prophet maketh guilty of great crimes, and such as are vtterly agaynst their office. And here are foure things

reckoned vp, which are most grieuous, especially in Priests, vnto whom was committed by God himselfe the iudgement of things most doubtfull, the looking vnto, or the ministery of the Sacrifices and Temple, and finally, the interpretation or expounding of the law of GOD. But on the contrary part they are here condemned,* 1.2 first, of most manifest, and most knowen futilitie or lightnes, who did and answered all things rashly and vnaduisedly. Secondly,* 1.3 of treacherie, which keepe not their promises and fayth giuen. Third∣ly, for that they pollute both the Temple of God it selfe,* 1.4 the which is holy, and also all other things. Fourthly, for that with their false gloses and expositions they doe wrest the law of GOD, turne it from the true meaning and offer violence vnto it.* 1.5 All which thinges doe bewray in them manifest impietie, or vngodlines, for the which both the name of God is blasphemed, and in the ende his worship and seruice also despised.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The second sort of Rulers, to wit, the priests, and their vices, of the which in this place hee reckoneth vp foure.
• * 1.2

  1. Lightnes.
• * 1.3

  2 Treacherie.
• * 1.4

  3. Polluting of the Temple.
• * 1.5

  4 Wresting of the law.