CHAP. VI.
THe Arke having continued in the Philistims Countrey seven moneths, they * 1.1 at length advise with their Priests and Diviners about the sending of it back again to Israel. If it bee demanded why the Philistims kept the Arke so long, being so sore smitten: It is answered, they thought in time their plagues might bee asswaged, and then they purposed to have kept it still, but now see∣ing the punishment continued, they perceived that hope to bee vaine. A judg∣ment * 1.2 came to them by the Arke, and no benefit, so the Gospel turneth to the [Note.] condemnation of the wicked, amongst whom it is preached.
Their Diviners both direct them to send the Arke back with five golden * 1.3 Emerods, and five golden Mice for a trespasse-offering, and earnestly exhort them not to harden themselves, as did Pharaoh; for besides the plague of Eme∣rods, Mice marred their Countrey. In this consultation there were three di∣verse opinions, saith Josephus: 1 That the Arke was to bee sent back. * 1.4 2 That because God suffered the Arke to come into their hands, hee had no such care thereof, and therefore this plague was not to bee imputed to the Ark detained amongst them, but to other causes, and over a while would cease a∣gaine; and that it was not to bee sent back againe, which were dishonourable to the Philistims. 3 That a middle way was to bee taken, neither to detaine it, nor to send it away, but to put the offerings here mentioned into it, and so to set it upon a cart to bee drawne by two young Cowes, whither they would, and this prevailed. In that speaking here of a trespasse-offering, they use the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifieth a lighter sinne, and not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifying a grea∣ter; Peter Martyr noteth, that they thought their sinne in carrying the Arke * 1.5 away, but small, which indeed was very great. And for the things given for a trespasse-offering, he saith, by making the figures of Emerods and Mice, they set up, as it were, a monument of their, and their Gods being subdued by the God of Israel, and of his power in smiting and healing them againe, as they hoped would follow hereupon; and therefore it is added, And yee shall give glory to the God of Israel, for then is glory given to him, when his power is ac∣knowledged to bee over all. For these words, v. 3. Then yee shall bee healed, and it shall bee knowne unto you, why his hand is not removed from you: Junius * 1.6 hath it, or it shall bee knowne; that is, if yee bee not healed, it will appeare to