by burning sweet Odours, as is here said: and Lyra expounds that of Hab∣bakkuk 2. 14. Woe to him that giveth his neighbour drink. Of this although very partially, seeing it is meant of all that favour drunkenness so, as to give to one cup after cup in excess. Calvin moveth a question here, because it is propoun∣ded by way of some consolation, Thou shalt not dye by the sword, Whether a vio∣lent death be alwayes worse than a naturall; for it should seem not, because it is oft-times with less pain, and less sinfull, and to some salutiferous, as to Martyrs, and Malefactors, as an wholsome medicine, by repentance healing them of their sins: but contrariwise, some that dye a naturall death, rave and curse through impatience, and speak idlely, and sometimes blasphemously, thus increasing their sins. This made Caesar the night before he was slain in the Senat, in private dispu∣tation to maintain, that it was best to dye a voilent death suddenly: And he an∣swers well, that generally to dye a naturall death is to be preferred, because it is less formidable, is a signe of the favour of God, and giveth time to set things in Order; for which it is spoken of as the death of the righteous, Psalme 37, 37. and dying by the sword is often threatned, as a thing most dreadfull in this Pro∣phecy. Yet it is to be accounted of, as the quality of the person dying is, If he be faithfull, he is not the less blessed by dying a violent death, and if he be wick∣ed, he is not the more happy for dying thus in Peace. And the same is to be held touching burials; to have an honourable buriall is of it self desirable, as be∣ing a thing, wherein a man is shewed to differ from a beast; whereas in his dy∣ing there is no difference, because as a beast dyeth so dyeth a man; but when the beast is cast forth as dung, and the man is buried; this sheweth one that shall rise again to glory, the honour done to him at his buriall being a signe thereof. But if the faithfull lye unburied, this dishonour shall be turned into a greater honour; and the honourable buriall of the wicked shall nothing benefit them; as it did not Dives, of whom we read, that he was buried, but Lazarus not. Object. What comfort then was it to Zedekiah being a wicked King to hear of a buriall, and dying his naturall death? Sol. God might yet turn his heart before his death, and then it was a signe of Gods favour restored unto him; and the very hearing of this might in time work upon him to make him repent, that he might enjoy it. For the burning of sweet Odours to him, according to the manner of his An∣cestors, The Vulg. rendring it, They shall burn there] is neither right according to the Hebrew Text, which is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. to thee; nor according to the course of their dealing amongst the Jews with their dead Kings. For although the Romans and other Nations used to burn the bodies of the dead, and to put their ashes in an Urn, and so lay them up; yet the Jewes did not, but onely burn sweet Odours about them, hereby to dry up the humours, that might cause stink, and then to lay them into their Sepulchers, as we may see 2 Chron. 16. 13. touching Asa: but Chap. 21. 19. the like is said not to have been done to Joram a wicked King. Yet the men of Iabesh Gilead burnt Saul and his sons being dead, and buried their bones: But of these things see before in my Commentary in their pro∣per places.
From hence to the end of the Chapter, there is an intimation, how that when Nebuchadnezzar with his huge Host besieged Jerusalem, Zedekiah proclaimed liberty to servants, according to the Law Exod. 21. 3. and that the Princes hearing of it, and all others also, whom it concerned, gave their servants liberty to depart, coming into the Lords house, and solemnly binding themselves by co∣venant, as to do it now, so to continue doing from time to time hereafter. For it seemeth, that howsoever they were hardened in other sins, yet they had some sense of this as the cause why the Caldees came to bring them under, because they kept their brethren the Hebrews under, when they had served six years, con∣trary to Gods Law. And therefore they reformed this abuse; and it seemeth, that it succeeded accordingly: the Caldees were hereupon caused to depart by the coming of Pharoah King of Egypt against them: For of this it is written Chap. 37. 5. But they were no sooner out of that fear, but against the Law and their Covenaut made before the Lord, they compelled their disinifled servants to