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.

CHAP. 4. Of the signification of this word prophesie, as it is vsed in the holy Scriptures.

OF all those things which have beene said be∣fore may easily nowe bee gathered, what is that signification of the wordes prophesie and Prophet, whereof there is vse in the holy scrip∣tures. And that is thus, namely that in the word of God he is properly called a Prophet,* 1.1 which is sent of God, both to declare his law, and especially also to rehearse and confirme vnto the Church, the promises of Christ or of the Messias the alone and onely Me∣diatour of the worlde, which was to come. He therefore for this cause, doth foretell vnto the Church things to come, and revealed or opened vnto him of God, both as well to terrifie or feare the same from sinne: and also to comfort it beeing afflicted or troub∣led, and to stay it vp with the hope of peace and reconciliation or favour with God, made and procured by the same Messias Ie∣sus Christ. This definition may seeme peradventure somewhat long, yet is it not withstanding most true. For it comprehended the whole nature of a true prophet, and of true prophesie. And first of all in this same definition,* 1.2 is declared the end of true prophesie, the which doubtles is two-fold. For the Prophets doe both bring the exposition of the law of God delivered by Moses, whereup∣on is this saying of the Prophet, Esa. chap. 8.20. To the law, and to the testimonie. And Malach. 4.4. Remember the lawe of Moses my servant, which I commanded vnto him in Horeb for all Israel with the statutes and iudgements:* 1.3 and also they did call to remembrance of the Church of God, and did expound and confirme those pro∣mises of God concerning Christ, the which was then to be sent in the world. Whereupon Christ by Paul Rom. 10.4. is said to be the end of the law, and so consequently of the prophets, who as we have saide,* 1.4 were alwaies the interpreters and expounders of the lawe. And therefore is Christ him selfe called the foundation, or marke that the prophets ayme at, as also doe the Apostles, as Paul

witnesseth vnto the Eph. 2.20. where he saith, Ye are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Iesus Christ him selfe be∣ing the chiefe corner stone. And 1. Cor. 3.11. For other foundation can no man lay, then that which is laide, which is Jesus Christ. Like∣wise Augustine lib. 12. contra Faustum Manich, cap. 1. and the Prophets by Ambrose lib. 2. de poenitent, cap. 7. are saide to be the mouth of Christ.

* 1.5Secondly, in that our definition is shewed the manner of ex∣pounding the law of God, and promises of Christ by the prophets; namely, in that they foretel vnto the said Church things to come. For they doe very plainly declare, what iudgements of God shall come both vpon the Church it selfe, and also vpon other nations and people of the world, because of their contempt or despising of the doctrine conteined in the same lawe of God, according vnto the revelation made vnto them by God. Hereof commeth it to passe, that the bookes of the Prophets are full of threatnings,* 1.6 and of the feareful wrath of God prepared and readie against the world, as appeareth in Esa. chap. 13. ver. 17, 18. and in other pla∣ces. In Ierem. chap. 25. vers. 44, 47. and in other places. Amos 1. Zach. 6.7. and in other places: and so in the rest of the prophets also. And Paul Rom, 1. 8. saith, that the wrath of God was made ma∣nifest from heaven against all vngodlines. That which at all times by the Prophets of God especially hath beene done. Further, what thinges the promised Messias should both suffer for vs in this world, and with howe great glorie he should afterwardes be crowned, and howe great benefits he should bestow vpon vs, the selfe same Prophets of God have clearely foretold, because that they did plainly confirme the promises of the Messias which was to come. And hereunto doth Peter in his first epistle chap. 1.10, 11, 12. evidently beare record, writing after this manner, Of the which salvation the Prophets have inquired and searched, which pro∣phesied of the grace that should come vnto you, searching when or what time the spirite which testified before of Christ which was in them, should declare the sufferings that should come vnto Christ, and the g••••∣rie that should followe. Ʋnto whome it was revealed, that not vnto themselves, but vnto vs they should minister the things that are nowe shewed vnto you by them which have preached vnto yon the Gospell by the holy Ghost sent downe from heaven,* 1.7 the which things the Angels desire to behold. Reade more of the sufferings and glorie of Christ, and of the benefites which hereby doe come vnto vs, Esa. 53.

Psal. 22. Hereof it commeth to passe, that the same books of the Prophets are stored and full of most excellent comforts,* 1.8 be∣cause they did shew that God was appeased with his Church, by and for the Messias even then the redeemer & mediatour of the same: nay moreover, according unto the revelation made unto them from God, they did foretell the benefites both earthly and spirituall, the which should befall unto the Church to come through the same good will and peace of God towards his in Christ. That which by the reading of the prophets themselves may easily appeare to every one. Here of is that saying of Paul Rom. 15.4. The things that are written, the same doe appertaine to our comfort, that is, unto the Church that should be after them.

Now of these things is concluded, that the selfe same par∣ties, the which did both expound the law of God, and shew the Messias that was to come, for the confirmation of both this their doctrine, did foretell things to come by there ve∣lation of God, of the which foretelling, as the more won∣derful part of their office they are called prophets, that is, fore∣tellers of things to come:* 1.9 & not only interpreters, expositours, ma∣sters, or teachers of the law. For that expounding of the law the which might and ought to be made without the foretelling of things to come, by the comparing or laying of things to∣gether which are like or dislike, by the proper signification of the words, or motion of God, belonged no doubt to the Levites & Priestes, the which every Sabbath did teach the same law of God in the Synagogues of the Iewes, as it is in Malach. 2.7. where he saith, that the priests lippes should preserve knowledge, and that they should seeke the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hostes. And of their ordinarie expounding of the law every sabbath, there is testimony Act. 15.21. where Iames witnesseth, that Moses of old time hath in every citie them that preach him, seeing he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day. But this was an ordinary calling in the Church under the old testament like as now under the Gos∣pell the office of the pastors in teaching the same Church is perpetuall and ordinary. But the office of the prophets was extraordinarie.* 1.10 For no man without the extraordinary reve∣lation of God either then, or at any time was able to fore∣know and foreshew the things to come, which they foretold.

Therefore the Levites in the Synagogues did not foretell any such certen things peculiarly, to come to passe afterwardes. Wherfore the prophets were extraordinarily called of God, as contrary unto the usuall manner of the Levites, Scribes, and Priests, & beyond their capacity or understanding they did teach the people of God. And God did set them out with such notes and spirituall ornaments, that any man were he never so contentious or given to striving, might easily be sure of their calling, albeit extraordinarie, although many times they did neither raise up the dead, nor heale diseases, nor shew any other miracles, when as they used that their mini∣sterie, and came into the open face of the Church. For God did sufficientlie commend them both by the truth & maiesty of his doctrine, and also by the extraordinarie knowledge of his divine or heavenly will,* 1.11 by the which they were clearly known, even of the most way ward & peevish, to excell above the capacity or understanding of the rest of the godly, the which taught others also. These delivering the wil of God & heavenly doctrine sound & pure, peaking nothing to please men, were the servants of God and not of men. For albeit they gave reverence unto Magistrates and higher powers, & did not despise them (as the whole popish Clergie at this day doth, as Peter 2. Epist. cap. 2. v. 10. complaineth of some that walke after the flesh, in the lust of uncleannesse, and despise the go∣vernment, which are presumptuous, and stand in their owne conceit, & feare not to speake evill of them that are indigintie) yet did they not flatter them, or winke at the vices of Magistrates and spare them. Nay they did sharply and with great boldnesse, that is to say, liberty of minde reproove all Magistrates, as you may read, Isa. 1. Amos 7. and in Ieremie every where. Wher∣of grew this saying, That the prophets of God were to be beleeved, the which also is now true, as Augustine teacheth libr. 12. contra Faustum Manich. libr. 4. Trinitat. cap. 17. And in the Sentences gathered out of August. Sentent. 214. For as Am∣brose upon the epistle of Paul to Titus teacheth, and that verie well, they could not be deceived, as being such as did speake as they were led of the spirit of God.

Now the Prophets which do foretell things to come not being called of God, or promise any thing unto the Church,* 1.12

or doe teach in the same without any lawfull calling: also those which deliver false things, that is, maintaine and defend false do∣ctrine: these are called lying prophets, or false prophets and wicked prophets.* 1.13 Hosea 9.7. The Prophet is a foole, the spiritual man is madde for the multitude of thine iniquities. Ier. 23.25. I haue heard what the prophets said, that prophesie lyes in my name, saying, I haue drea∣med, I haue dreamed. Ezech. 13.3. Thus saith the Lord God, ƲƲo•• vnto the foolish Prophets, that follow their owne spirit, and haue seene nothing. Such are those which overthrow & corrupt the doctrine of Christ, either in part, or in whole, as the heretikes of whome Peterepist. 2. chap. 2.1. speaketh, saying: But there were false pro∣phets also among the people, euen in there shalbe false teachers among you: which priuily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that hath bought them, and bring vpon themselves swift damna∣tion. Their doctrine by Paul is called a doctrine of devils. 1. Tim. 4. Nowe the spirite speaketh evidently, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, and shall give heede vnto spirites of error, and doctrines of devils. Iames chap. 3.15. calleth it earthly wisedome, saying, This wisdome descendeth not from above, but is earthie, sen∣suall, and develish.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A description of a prophet out of the word of God.
• * 1.2

  Two endes of true prophesie. 1. The prophets were to declare and expounde the law of God delivered by Moses.
• * 1.3

  2. To expounde the promises of the Messias.
• * 1.4

  Christ the foun∣dation of the Apostles and Prophets.
• * 1.5

  After what mā∣ner the prophets expound the law of God, and promises of Christ.
• * 1.6

  The prophets full of threat∣nings.
• * 1.7

  The bookes of the prophets ful of excellent cō∣forts.
• * 1.8

  The bookes of the prophets full of excellent comforts.
• * 1.9

  The office of the Levites and Priests ordina∣rie.
• * 1.10

  The office of the Prophets extra∣ordinarie.
• * 1.11

  Notes where∣with God com∣mended his prophets.
• * 1.12

  Prophets not called of God by what names they are termed.
• * 1.13

  How the Scrip∣ture speaketh of prophets not sent of God.