Commentary on the Minor Prophets, Commentary 6 · Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
Verſ. 1. BƲt in the laſt dayes it ſhall come to paſſe] God reſerveth his beſt comforts till the laſt, as that Ruler of the feaſt did his beſt wine, Ioh. 2.10. and as the ſweeteſt of the honey lieth at the bottome. Theſe laſt dayes are Goſpel-dayes, Heb. 1.2. times of Reformation, Heb. 9.19. of Reſtitution, Act. 3.21. called the World to come, Heb. 2.5. that new heaven and earth wherein dwelleth Righteouſneſſe, 2 Pet. 3.13. that new Jeruſalem that is all of gold, Rev. 2.1. Ezekiels new Temple, bigger then all the old Jeruſalem; and his new Ieruſalem bigger then all the land of Canaan, chap. 40.41.42, &c. Let Popiſh buzzars blaſpheme that deſcription of the Temple and City:Sanct. Argum. cap. 40. calling it, (as Sanctius doth, once and again) inſulſam deſcriptionem, a ſenſeleſſe deſcription: ſo ſpeaking evil of the things that they know not, Jude 10. We beleeve and are ſure, Joh. 6.69. that God hath provided ſome better thing for us, then for thoſe under the law, Heb. 11.40. viz. that great myſtery of godlineſſe, God manifeſted in the fleſh, 1 Tim. 3.16. who ſhould again reſtore the kingdom to Iſrael, the ſpiritual kingdom to the Iſrael of God: as is here foretold in the ſelf-ſame words with thoſe of Eſay chap. 2.1, 2. whence he is not aſhamed to take it.
That the mountain of the houſe of the Lord] The Church, 1 Tim. 3.15. called elſewhere, the mountain of the Lord, and his holy hill, Pſal. 15.1. and 24.3. and 48.2. Eſay 30.17. both for its ſublimity, Gal. 4.26. and firmneſſe, Pſal. 46.3. and 125.1. winde and ſtormes move it not: no more can all the power and policy of hell combin'd prevail againſt the Church, Mat. 16.18. She is foreign, a kingdom that cannot be ſhaken: and may, better then the city of Venice, take for her Poſie, Immota manet.
Shall be eſtabliſhed in the top of the mountains] Conſtituetur firmiter, ſhall bee ſtrongly ſet upon a ſure bottom, upon munitions of Rocks: yea upon the Rock of Ages, Mat. 16.18. Jer 31.35. Eſay 33.20. Some, by the houſe of the Lord, here underſtand the Church: and by the mountain of this houſe, Chriſt, whereon it is built, and whom Daniel deſcribeth by that great mountain that filled the whole earth, Chap. 2.35. that ſtone cut out without hands, that ſmot in pieces the four Monarchies, ibid. And hence it is, that this mountain of the Lords houſe is exalted above the hils: the Church muſt needs be above all earthly eminencies whatſoever, becauſe founded upon Chriſt: who therefore cannot be exalted, but ſhee muſt be lifted up aloft together with him. God who is rich in mercy, ſaith, that great Apoſtle, hath quickened us together with Chriſt, and hath raiſed us up together, and made us ſit together in heavenly places in Chriſt Jeſus, Epheſ. 2.5, 6. The Church is myſticall Chriſt, 1 Cor. 12.12. ſhe is his wife, and whereſoever hee is Caius, ſhe is Caia: ſhe ſhineth with his beams, and partaketh of his honours; union being the ground of communion.
and people ſhall flow unto it.] As waters roul and run toward the Sea: but that theſe waters ſhould flow upward, flow to the mountain, as here, is as wonderfull; as that the Sun ſhould ſend his beams downward to the earth, when as it is the property of all fire to aſpire and flie upwards. This is the Lords own work, and it is marvellous in our eyes.Chryſoſt. Hom 8. ad Hop. Antioch. The metaphor of flowing, importeth the coming of people to Chriſt, by the preaching of the Goſpel. 1. Freely, Pſal. 110.3. 2. Swiftly, as the waters of the river Tigris, ſwift as an arrow out of a bowe. See Eſay 60.8. 3. Plentifully, by whole Nations turned to the faith, and giving up their names to Chriſt. 4. Joyntly, as verſe 2. and Zach. 8.21. 5. Zealouſly, bearing down all obſtacles that would damme up their way. 6. Conſtantly, and continually, as rivers run perpetually, by reaſon of the perennity of their fountains; and are never dried up, though ſometimes fuller then ſome: quin ut fluvij repentinis imbribus augentur, ſaith Gualther, as rivers ſwell oft with ſudden ſhowres, and overflow the banks, ſo beyond all expectation, many times, doth God take away tyrants, and propagates his truth, enlarging the bounds of his Church, with new confluxes of Converts.
Verſe 2. And many nations ſhall come and ſay] The converſion of the Gentiles is here foretold, a piece of that myſtery of godlineſſe, 1 Tim. 3.16. The Jews uſually call Chriſtians in contempt Gozin, (the word here uſed) and Mamzer Goi Baſtard-Gentiles. But, either they muſt come under this name themſelves, or deny that they are the poſterity of Abraham, Gen. 12.2. Where God ſaith, I will make of thee a great Nation.
Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord] The wicked have their Come, Prov. 1.11. and would not go to hell alone. Should not the Saints have theirs? ſhould they not get what company they can toward heaven? The Greeks call goodneſſe, foreign, from foreign; and foreign, from foreign, becauſe it doth as it were, invite and call others to it; and every man is willingly to run after it.
and to the houſe of the God of Jacob] to the publike ordinances, where wee may hear, and beleeve, and be ſealed with that holy ſpirit of promiſe, as thoſe Epheſians were, chap. 1.13. We read that Marcellinus, Secundanus, and ſome others, were converted to Chriſtianity by reading Sibylla's oracles of Chriſts birth: and that by Chaucers Book, ſome were brought to the knowledge of the truth. But either this was not ſo, or not ordinary: for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word preached, which therefore the people of God do ſo prize, as Luther did, who ſaid,Acts & Mon. 767. He would not take all the world for one leaf of the Bible: and that without the preaching of the word, he could not live comfortably in Paradiſe: as with it, hee could live and enjoy himſelf, though it were in hell.
and he will teach us of his wayes] Cathedram in coelis habet qui corda docet, ſaith Auſtin. All true Converts are taught of God, Joh. 6. and then quàm citò diſcitur quod docetur? ſaith the ſame Father; how ſoon are men diſcipled? how ſoon learn they the wayes of God, whereby to ſerve him here, and be ſaved by him hereafter. For it is falſe that ſome contend for: ſc. that every man may be ſaved in his own faith, be it right or wrong: For none can come to the Father but by the Son, Joh. 14.6. Neither is there any other name but His under heaven whereby men muſt bee ſaved, Acts 4.12. See Joh. 17.3. and 6.40. Heb. 11.6. whatſoever the Huberians affirme of Univerſall Election; or the Puccians of a naturall faith.
and we will walk in his paths] which are all paved with mercy and love: ſo that the ſaints run therein and faint not; walk, and are not weary, Eſay 40.31. They are all Peripateticks, ever in action, Gen. 17.1. they are Curriſts, not Quaeriſts, Ambroſ.ſaith Luther elegantly; they do not reaſon, but run the pathes of Gods precepts. Neſcit tarda molimina Spiritus Sancti gratia.
For the law ſhall go forth of Zion] The law, or doctrine, as Prov. 13.14. Underſtand here the Goſpel, that Law of God, Pſal. 19.7. that Law of Chriſt, Gal. 6.2. that perfect law of liberty, Jam. 1.25. a counter-pane whereof God putteth into the hearts of his people, Jer. 31. whereby they become (as it was once ſaid of the Thracians) foreign, a law to themſelves;Herod. as being transformed into the ſame image with the Goſpel, like as the pearl, by the often-beating of the Sun-beams upon it, becommeth radiant as the Sun.
and the word of the Lord from Jeruſalem.] Not from Africa at firſt (as the brethren of the roſy-croſſe would have it) though 'tis thought the Goſpel was received, and the Chriſtian faith profeſſed even from the Apoſtles time, in that large region of Nubia in Africk. But repentance and remiſſion of ſinnes was preached among all nations beginning at Jeruſalem, Luke 24.41. The Jews were Gods Library-keepers, and the Apoſtles ſent and went from Jeruſalem to plant Churches abroad the world, and to gather into one, the children of God that were diſperſed, Ioh. 11.52.
Verſe 3. And he ſhall judge among many people,] We had before, Chriſts Propheticall Office: here we have his Princely, and elſewhere his Prieſtly,This ſeems to have been the effect of that old prophecy among the Eaſterlings, that Judaea profecti rerum potirentur, ſome that came out of… Jury ſhould conquer all. Vide Sueto. in Veſpaſ. & Tacit. lib. 21. (wherein both the former are founded) for he is the true Triſmegiſt, and Melchiſedech was a right type of him. He is the onelyonly judge, and needs no Vicar upon earth, ſuch as the Pope claims to bee, Eſay 33.22, no ſuch Officers to ſee his lawes executed, as the Ephori were among the Greeks, and the Cenſores among the Romans. The Lord that ſent the rod of his ſtrength out of Zion, as verſe 2. doth alſo give him to rule in the middeſt of his enemies, whiles his people are willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holineſſe, Pſal. 110.3. willing that Chriſt ſhould ſend forth judgement to victory, Mat. 12.20. that is, perfect his own work of grace begun in their hearts. To which end, as it here followeth,
He ſhall rebuke (or convince) ſtrong nations] Convince them, I ſay, (by his Spirit) of ſinne, of righteouſneſſe, and of judgement, …oh. 16.8. Of the lotheſomneſſe of ſin, of the neceſſity of getting righteouſneſſe by Chriſt, and repentance from dead works; that men may ſerve the living God, and as much as in them is,Acts 17.30. live peaceably with all.
And they ſhall beat their ſwords into plowſhares] i. e. their fierce and fell natures ſhall be manſuefied, as Eſay 11.6, 7, 8, 9. and if they wage warre, it ſhall be non niſi coacti, either for the juſt puniſhment of Delinquents, whom they cannot otherwiſe come at: or for their own neceſſary defence, and that they may eſtabliſh peace with truth. But if men would live by the lawes of the Goſpel, they need not wage warre, or want peace, either of countrey or of conſcience: but they might take for their Motto, that of David, Ani ſhallom, I am peace: and have for their portion that peace, peace, Eſay 26.3. even a perfect, ſheer, pure-peace, a multiplied peace with God, with themſelves, and with others: this is a main piece of Chriſts kingdom upon earth,Florus. who is the Prince of peace, and came in a time of peace: viz. in the raigne of Auguſtus, when as there was Totius orbis aut pax aut pactio, ſaith Florus, a generall peace, or truce thorowout the whole world.
neither ſhall they learn warre any more] To make a trade or a gain of it, and ſo to earn a curſe Deut. 27.25. to delight in it, Pſal. 68.30. and make a ſport of it (as Abner did, 2 Sam. 2.14. and Pyrrhus king of Epirots) to wage it without weighty reaſon raſhly. If we Princes (ſaid our Hen. 7.) ſhould take every occaſion that's offered, the world ſhould never be quiet, but wearied by continuall warres. We may alſo here take warring (as St. Iames doth, chap. 4.1.) for jarring, and jangling, for private diſcords, and diſſentions. Now theſe the people or God are ſo farre from learning, that they utterly lay them aſide, and are kinde one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Chriſts ſake forgave them, Epheſ. 4.32.
Verſe 4. But they ſhall ſit every man under his vine] ſeeding upon the fruit that ſhall even fall into his mouth, ſaith à Lapide. Sit they ſhall under Chriſt, the true Vine, ſaith Hugo, and under the holy Ghoſt, as a fig-tree, whoſe fruit is farre ſweeter then any honey. But theſe are coynt interpretations ſaith Gualther. I ſhould rather expound this Text by that 91. Pſalm; wherein the ſafe and happy condition of the godly is at large deſcribed. Vineyards and fig-yards were ordinary in thoſe countreys: and hence this proverbiall expreſſion, to ſet forth doubtleſſe, the ſpirituall ſecurity, and that peace of conſcience chiefly, that is granted to Chriſts ſubjects: a peace, farre beyond that under Solomon, which is here pointed at: or that under our Queen Elizabeth, not to be paſſed over without one touch at leaſt upon that ſtring, which ſo many years together ſounded ſo ſweetly in the ears of our Fathers. Then it was, if ever, that the mountains brought forth peace, and the little hills righteouſneſſe, Pſal. 72.5. The great ones defended their inferiours,Westmer. in Pſal. 72. and the inferiours bleſſed their ſuperiours; the Magiſtrate righted the ſubject, and the ſubject reverenced the Magiſtrate.
and none ſhall make them afraid] God, they know, will not hurt them, man cannot: he may take away their heads, but not their crowns; their lives, but not their hopes: for the righteous hath hope in his death: his Poſie is not onelyonly, Dumſpiro ſpero, but Dum expiro. Let the wicked have a trembling heart, and failing eyes while he lives, Deut. 28.65. and when he dies crie out, as a great man was heard to do, Spes & fortuna valete, Farewell life and hope together. The ſervant of Chriſt, as he ſits mediis tranquillus in undis all his life long: ſo when he dies, he can call his ſoul to reſt: and ſing old Simeons Nunc dimittas, Lord, now let thy ſervant depart in peace, &c.
for the mouth of the Lord of hoſts,] And what better aſſurance can we deſire, ſith God can neither die, lie, nor denie himſelf: Sith, ſecondly, he is the Lord of Hoſts, and ſo armed with power to make good what he hath ſpoken. Peter had a will to deliver Chriſt from the Jews, but wanted power. Pilate had power to have done it, but wanted will. God wanteth neither of theſe to do for his people, and to deliver them out of danger. Courage therefore.
Verſe 5. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god,] They will do ſo, they are reſolved not to alter their religion: as Tully ſaid, Me ex ea opinione quam à majoribus accepi de cultu deorum, nullius unquam movebit oratio: I will never be diſſwaded by any one from that way of divine worſhip, which I have received from my forefathers. How wilfull at this day are Jews, Papiſts, Pagans, Heretikes? And how much eaſier a matter do we finde it, to deal with twenty mens reaſons, then with one mans will? A wilfull man ſtands as a ſtake in the middeſt of a ſtream, lets all paſſe by him, but hee ſtands where he was. Nay but wee will have a king ſay they, when they had nothing elſe to ſay. Nay, but I will curſe howſoever, though againſt my conſcience, ſaid Balaam: and do not the Popiſh Balaamites as much as this, many of them? As for the Vulgar ſort of them, they are headlong and headſtrong, reſolved to retaine contra gentes the ſenſeleſſe ſuperſtitions tranſmitted unto them by their Progenitours. But what ſaith the Oracle Rev. 14.7. Feare God, and give glory to him; for the houre of his judgement is come: and (what ever your anceſtours did) worſhip you him that made heaven and earth, and the ſea, and the fountaines of waters.
and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God] This was well reſolved, and is as well practiſed by all Chriſts faithfull people, who dare not follow a multitude to do evill Exod. 23.2. dare not walk by their fathers practiſe Ioſh. 24.2, 14, 15. for they conſider that no commandement doth ſo expreſly threaten Gods judgements upon poſterity as the ſecond. They therefore reſolve to walk in the name, that is, by the lawes and under the view of the Lord their God, who is God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, a great God, a mighty and a terrible, as Moſes deſcribeth him, in oppoſition to all other deities, whether ſo reputed or deputed Deut. 10.17.
for ever and ever] We will not only take a turn or two in his wayes, as temporaries; who are hot at hand but ſoon tire, and give in: but we will hold on a conſtant courſe of holineſſe, and not faile to follow the Lamb whitherſoever he goeth Pſal. 1.2. Ioh. 8.12. and 10.4.14. Rev. 7.17. As for thoſe Apoſtates that change their God, that change their glory for that which doth not profit, as they therein commit an horrible wickedneſſe, ſuch as the heavens have cauſe to be aſtoniſhed at Ier. 2.11, 12, 13. ſo they could not chuſe out for themſelves a worſe condition Heb. 10.37, 38. for why? they put the ſon of God to an open ſhame chap. 6.6. like (as thoſe that are carted amongſt us are held out as a ſcorn) and do in effect ſay, that they have not found him ſuch as they took him for.
Verſe 6. In that day] ſc. of grace and of the Goſpel: It is called a day and that day, by an excellency in regard of Revelation, Adornation, Conſolation, Diſtinction, ſpeedy Preterition.
ſaith the Lord] Whoſe word cannot be broken Ioh. 10.35. and is therefore the beſt ſecurity 2 Cor. 1.20.
will I aſſemble her that halteth] Heb. that goeth ſideling, that is maimed, diſioynted, lamed, Eſa. 35.3. torn Pſal. 35.15. and tired out with long journeys into captivity, as the Jewes were by the Babylonians, Greeks and Romanes before Chriſts comming: that they might breath after thoſe dayes of refreſhing from the preſence of the Lord Mal. 3.1.
and I will gather her that is driven out] Or, rejected, thruſt away with a force, that is, the Gentles, ſuffered to walk in their own wayes Act. 14.16. and carried away unto dumb idols, even as they were led 1 Cor. 12.2.
and her that I have afflicted] Both Jewes and Gentiles, the whole community of people: for God ſhooke all nations then, when the deſire of all nations (Chriſt Heb. 12.25.) was to come Hag. 2.7. See verſes 22, 23. Junius, after the Septuagint, rendr…th it ut veniant deſiderati omnium gentium, that the Saints, thoſe deſirable ones, out of all nations may come: for unto Shiloh in a moſt afflicted time (when the ſcepter was departed from Judah &c.) was the gathering of all people to be Gen. 49.10. Eſa. 26.8, 9. See Eſay. 66.20. rather in litters as lame people are carried) ſhould they come, then not at all: rather on one leg with Jacob, ſhould they wreſtle, then not prevaile.
Verſe 7. And I will make her that halted a remnant] Yea a renowned remnant Zeph. 3.19. Not many Jewes were converted in compariſon of the Gentiles: hence they are called a remnant. They both killed the Lord Ieſus, and their own Prophets: they have alſo perſecuted us, ſaith the Apoſtle or caſt us out, as by an Oſtraciſme, and they pleaſe not God, and are contrary to all men, 1 Theſſ. 2.15, 16.forbidding us to ſpeak to the Gentiles &c. Thus the generality of them then: and ſo to this day they continue croſſe, and curſing Chriſt and his followers, thrice a day in their ſynagogues:Hieron in Eſai. l. 12. c. 49. & l 14. c. 42. Buxtorf. Synag. Howbeit at this preſent time alſo there is a remnant according to the election of grace Rom. 11.5. and that remnant became the ſeminary of the Chriſtian Church.
and her that was caſt far off, a ſtrong nation] Numerous and valorous. Vide fidem & paſſionem martyrum & de gente robuſta non ambiges, ſaith Hierome here. Conſider the faith and patience of the Martyrs, and you will eaſily yeeld them to be a ſtrong nation indeed: Chriſtians have ſhewed as glorious power in the faith of Martyrdome, as in the faith of miracles. They can do that which others cannot turn their hands to: they can ſuffer wrongs, beſt of any: Compell them to go a mile, they'le be content to go two: yea as far as the ſhooes of the preparation of the Goſpel of peace will carry them. There is nothing that they date not undertake and undergo for the glory of their God. Thi courage in Chriſtians, Heathens counted obſtinacy; Tertull. in Apologet.but they knew not the power of the ſpirit, nor the privy armour of proof that the Saints have about their heart, which maketh them inſuperable, more then Conquerours.
and the Lord ſhall raigne over them in mount Zion] i. e. In the Chriſtian Church, out of which went the law, that is, the Goſp…l ver. 2. See Eſa. 40.9. and 52.7. Heb. 12, 22. There ſhall Chriſt raigne, and ſo he did ever: but now he ſhall declare himſelf to be Meſſiah the Prin…e Dan. 9.25 Lord and h…ſt Act. 2.36. Saviour and Soveraigne. As king he 1. of rebels makes them ſ…jects, willing to be ruled by him. 2. He preſerves them in that priviledge by his ſpirit. 3. He gives them lawes far better then thoſe of the twelve tables … Rome, which yet far exceeded (ſaith Cicero) all the learned libraries of the Philoſ…ph…rs in worth and weight. 4. He ſweetly inclineth their wil… to ye…d univerſal obedience thereunto, and to croſſe themſelves ſo they may pleaſe … 5 He rewards them with comfort and peace here, and with life eternall hereafter. 6. He deſtroyes all the enemies of his Church, and then at laſt delivers up the kingdome to his Father 1 Cor. 15.24. not his eſſentiall kingdome as God, but his oec…omical kingdome, as Mediatour.
Verſe 8. And thou O tower of the flock] that is, O Church of Chriſt, who is oft compared to a ſhepherdeſſe in the Canticles: here to a Migdal-…der or tower of the flock (that flock of Chriſt which hath golden fleeces, precious ſouſe:) in reference either to that tower, Gen. 35.21. built for the ſafety and ſe…vice of ſhepherds: or elſe to the ſheep-gate in Ieruſalem (whereof read N…h. 3.1. and 12.39.) ſo called from the ſheep-market, which for the conveniency of the Temple was neare to it; as was alſo the ſheep-pool called Betheſda Ioh 5.2. where the ſacrifices were waſhed. The world is a field, the Church a fold, in that field; and a ſtrong fold (ſtrong as a tower) yea a ſtrong-hold Ophel as it is ſtiled in the next words; and that of the daughter of Zion, that is of the Chriſtian Church, the inviolable ſecurity whereof is here noted.
unto thee ſhall it come, even the firſt dominion] ſuch as was in David… dayes and Solomons: la…ge, rich, peaceable, proſperous, terrible to other nations &c. This was carnally underſtood by the Jewes, who therefore dr…ame to thi… day of an earthly kingdome, and have in their …ynagogues a crown ready to ſet upon the head of their Meſſiah whenſoever he ſhall come: neither were Chriſts diſciples without a tincture of this Phariſaicall leaven: whence their often-enquiries when the kingdome of God ſhall come? and their frivol…us conteſts among themſelves, who ſhould be the greateſt in Chriſts kingdome? who ſhould ſit at his right hand and at his left &c. as if there ſhould have been in Chriſts kingdome (as in Solomons) a diſtribution here of honours and offices. And this groundleſſe conceit hung as bullets of lead at their eye-lids; that they could not look up to ſee that Chriſts kingdome was ſpirituall and not of this preſent world.
the kingdome ſhall come to the daughter of Jeruſalem] This the Jewes (miſtaking it as before) pray earneſtly that it may come citò, Baxtor. Syn: Jud.citiùs, citiſſimè, bimherah, bejamen…s, with ſpeed, and even in our dayes; oft throwing open their windowes to behold their King, and to receive their long-looked-for preferment, in his earthly monarchy.
Ver. 9. Now why doeſt thou cry out aloud?] Hout and houle? q.d. haſt thou any ſuch cauſe to be ſo unreaſonably and out ragiouſly impatient ſo long as Chriſt is thy king and counſellour? What if there now be no king in th…e? What if thy counſellour be periſhed? A wo-caſe I confeſſe, and great confuſion moſt needes be the iſſue of it; as it fell out in Ieruſalem after Ioſiah was ſlaine: Confer Hoſ. 3.4. with the Note there. But yet there is hope in Iſrael concerning this thing; neither need the Saints be ſo exceſſively dejected with outward croſſes, ſo long as Chriſt is with them, and for them. If Seneca could ſay to his friend Polybius, Fas tibi non eſt ſalvo Caeſare, de fortuna tua queri, Be thy caſe never ſo miſerable,Sen. ad …olyb. Conſol. thou haſt no cauſe to complaine, ſo long as Caeſar is in ſafety: How much leſſe ground of mourning or murmuring have Chriſts ſubjects, ſo long as He liveth and raigneth? Gaudeo quod Chriſtus Dominus eſt, Calvin. Epiſt.alioqui totus deſperaſſem writeth Miconius to Calvin, of the Churches enemies: I am glad that Chriſt is Lord of all: for otherwiſe I ſhould have had no hope of help at all. David in deep diſtreſs comforteth himſelf in the Lord his God 1 Sam. 30.6. and Pſal. 119.94. I am thine, ſave me, ſaith He: q. d. my profeſſed ſubjection to thee calleth for thy care and protection of me: and here he ſtayes himſelf. Kings and Councellours are great ſtayes to a ſtate: but Chriſt is not tied to them. Theſe are but particular good things, as is health againſt ſickneſſe, wealth againſt poverty &c. but Chriſt is an Ʋniverſall good, all ſufficient and ſatisfactory; every way proportionable and fitting to our ſoules, and ſeverall neceſſities. Why then do we cry aloud as utterly undone? why ſing we not rather with David when at greateſt under, The Lord liveth, and bleſſed be the God of my ſalvation. Pſal. 18.46.It is God that avengeth me, and delivereth me from the violent man &c, He is King of all the earth. He is wonderfull in counſel, and excellent in working &c. It was a learned mans Motto, Bleſſed be God, that he is God; and bleſſed be Chriſt that he reignes for ever; that Counſel is his, and ſound wiſdome: that he hath underſtanding, he hath ſtrength Prov. 8.14.
for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travel] They have, but they needed not, hadſt thou but turned into thy counting-houſe, and conſidered thy manifold priviledges in Chriſt, thy King and Counſellour. We oft puniſh our ſelves by our paſſions, as the lion that beates himſelf with his own taile. Sed ô benè (ſaith an Interpreter here) quod ſint hidolores ſaltem ſimiles parturientium, It is yet an happineſſe, that the Churches pangs, though bitter,Tarnou. yet are no worſe then as thoſe of a woman in travell. For 1. The paines of travell ſeldome bring death; but life both to mother and child: ſo do afflictions to the Saints 2 Cor. 4.17. Heb. 12.9. 2. Travell comes not by chance, nor for long continuance: neither doth affliction Ioh. 7.30. Luk. 22.53. 3. Travell is unavoidable, and muſt be patiently born: ſo muſt affliction; or elſe we loſe the fruit of it: Act. 14.22. 2 Tim. 3.12. 4. Sharp though it be, yet it is ſhort: ſo mourning laſteth but till morning Pſal. 30.6. and 73.24. and 135.14. Ioh. 16.15. Ier. 10.23. 5. As the travelling woman hath the help of other women: ſo hath the afflicted, of God, Angels and men. 6. Laſtly, as ſhe remembreth the ſorrow no more for joy of a manchild born into the world: ſo is it here Ioh. 16.20. Rom. 8.17, 18.
Verſe 10. Be in pain and labour to bring forth &c.] Be ſenſible of thine enſuing captivity, and take on: but yet with hope of a gracious deliverance in due time. See the Note on ver. 9. It is no leſſe a fault to deſpiſe the chaſtening of the Lord, then to faint when thou art rebuked Heb. 12.5. The hypocrite in heart heapeth up wrath ſaith Elihu, and why? he crieth not when God bindeth him Iob. 3….11. The wicked ſaith Hannah, are ſilent in darkneſſe, and ſhall therefore lie down in ſorrow. This is not patience but pertinacy,1 Sam. 2.9. Eſay. 50.10. the ſtrength of ſtones and fleſh of braſſe Iob 6.12. It is not vaſour but apathie, ſtupidity and indolency, much complained of in ſcripture, and threatened with a ſucceſſion of ſorrowes Lev. 26.18, 28. ſeven more, and ſeven more, and ſeven to that. Three times in that chapter God raiſeth his note of threatening, and he raiſeth it by ſevens, and thoſe are diſcords in muſick. Such ſayings will be heavy ſongs; and their execution heavy pangs: worſe then thoſe of a woman in travel.
for now ſhalt thou go forth out of the city] This Now fell not out of an hundred yeares after. Foule weather ſeldome rotteth in the ayre. Time weareth not out Gods threatenings. Nullum tempus occurrit Regi, nedum Deo, Time can be no prejudice to the Ancient of dayes: ſooner or later his word ſhall be accompliſhed. When the ſins of the Amorites are full, they ſhall be ſure of their payment. The bottle of wickedneſſe, when once filled with thoſe bitter waters, will ſink to the bottom.
and thou ſhalt dwell in the field] Sub dio, having no canopie over thee, but the azured skie: ſo little account is made of poore captives: If they may have the open ayre to breath in, though they lie without dores, 'its better then a ſtinking dungeon, or to be ſhut up cloſe under hatches among the excrements of nature, as Barbaruſſa Chriſtian priſoners taken in Greece were:Turk hiſt. 750. ſo that all the way as he went home with them to Conſtantinople, every houre almoſt ſome of them were caſt dead over-board.
and thou ſhalt go even to Babylon] there to dwell among plants and hedges, making flower-pots for a forreine prince. There they dwelt with the King for his work: 1 Chron. 4.23.
there ſhalt thou be delivered, there the Lord ſhall redeem thee] This There, is as Emphaticall as that Yet ſo oft repeated Zech. 1.17. See the Note there. It ſeemed improbable to many, and to ſome impoſſible, that ever they ſhould return out of Babylon. But God effected it to the great aſtoniſhment of his poore people, who were like them that dream Pſal. 126.1. and could ſcarce beleeve their own eyes. God loves to deliver thoſe that are forſaken of their hopes. Ad nos ergo transferamus promiſſionemiſtam, ſaith Gualther upon the text. Let us apply this promiſe to our ſelves: and as oft as we are pincht with poverty, or tormented with diſeaſes, or caſt out into baniſhment, or are in any great danger by water or land, or under terrours of conſcience, let us think we heare God thus ſpeaking to us, There ſhalt thou be delivered: there I will redeem thee &c.
Verſe 11. Now alſo many nations are gathered &c.] that is, they ſhall be once gathered, when the Babylonians, who are Lords of the world, ſhall muſter many nations againſt thee. Would any man take the Churches picture ſaith Luther? then let him paint a ſilly poor maid, ſitting in a wood or wilderneſſe, compaſſed about with hungry lions, wolves, bores and beares, and with all manner of cruel and hurtfull beaſts,Loc. com. de perſee. ver. Eccleſ. and in the middeſt of a great many furious men aſſaulting her every moment and minute, for this is her condition in the world.
that ſay, Let her be defiled] ſc: with blood and ſlaughter. Or, Let her be condemned as an hypocrite, Let her be ſtoned as an adultereſſe, ſo the Trent tranſlation. Thus they pretend, as Rabſhakeh did, that they were ſent by God againſt an hypocriticall nation, that had broken their faith with God and men. The like craft and cruelty was uſed in the Pariſian maſſacre, and Gunpowder-plot: God and man; ſaid they (in that blind letter, that brought all to light) have agreed to puniſh the wickedneſſe of this age. Thoſe that would kill a dog, give out that he was mad firſt, ſaith the French Proverb. Whom no man looketh after Jer. 30.17.
and let our eyes look upon Zion] Let us feed our eyes with ſuch a delightfull ſpectacle: and ſay as that cruel Charles the 9. of France did, when he ſaw the ſtreetes ſtrawed with the bodies of the maſſacred Proteſtants, and the rivers dyed with their blood, O pulchrum ſpectaculum! O brave ſight, Or, as the Q. Mother of Scotland, when ſhe beheld the dead carcaſſes of her Lutheran ſubjects, ſaid, that ſhe never ſaw a goodlier peece of Arraz in all her dayes. See the accompliſhment of this prophecy in the Lamentations, Pſalm. 137. and in the book of Nehemiah.
Verſe 12. But they know not the thoughts of the Lord] Nothing like their thoughts Eſ. 55.8. Confer Eſ. 10.7, 8. Zach. 11.15, 16. &c. His thoughts are fatherly, whiles theirs are butcherly: the Phyſitian in ſetting leeches to his patient, ſeekes his good: he aymes not at filling the leeches gorges: neither will he ſet more on him, then will make for his health. God by his wisdome, and according to his eternall counſell (which the wicked underſtand not) ordereth and draweth the blind and bruit motions of the worſt creatures to his own honour, and his churches good;D. Reyn. as the huntsman doth the rage of the dog to his pleaſure, or the marriner the blowing of the wind to his voyage, or the Artiſt the heate of the fire to his work, or the Phyſitian the blood-thirſtineſſe of the leech to a cure. Surely, (ſaith the Pſalmiſt ſpeaking of Senacheribs cruelty in the ſiege of Jeruſalem) the wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee (eventually, though not intentionally) the remainder of wrath ſhalt thou reſtraine Pſal. 76.10. Let the enemies think and project as they pleaſe,Ier. 29.11. 2 Theſ. 1.6, 7. let them rage and reſolve upon your utter ruine. I know the thoughts that I think toward you, ſaith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evill, to give you an expected end: to recompenſe tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you who are troubled reſt &c. For thus ſaith the Lord God the Holy One of Iſrael, In returning and reſt ſhall ye be ſaved, in quietneſſe and in confidence ſhall be your ſtrength Eſay. 30.15. And I will ſtrengthen the houſe of Iudah, and I will ſave the houſe of Ioſeph, and I will bring them again to place them, for I have mercy upon them, and they ſhall be as though I had not caſt them off: for I am the Lord their God, and I will heare them, Zech. 10.6. Surely as it was ſaid of old, Neither ſhall Rome fall while Scipio ſtandeth: neither ſhall Scipio live when Rome falleth: ſo may it more truely be affirmed of Chriſt, that he and his people ſhall ſtand and fall together. But he ſhall ſtand at the later day upon the earth Iob 19.25. yea he ſhall ſet his right foot upon the ſea, and his left foot upon the earth Rev. 10.2. as Lord of ſea and land, maugre the malice of all, that ſought to ſupplant him, who ſhall there-hence fall, and never riſe up againe Am. 8.14.
Verſe 13. Ariſe and threſh, O daughter of Zion] Go in this thy might (wherewith thou ſo luſtily threſheſt out thy wheat by the wine-preſſe ſaid the Angell to Gideon Judg. 6.14) and threſh the Midianites another while, thou ſhalt ſmite them as one man ver. 16. threſh them as the ſheaves of the floore that lie ready for the flaile, or (as the cuſtome of thoſe countries was Deut. 25.4. 1 Cor. 9.9. 1 Tim. 5, 18.) for oxen to tread out, or the wheel to turn over Eſa. 2.28.
for I will make thine horne iron &c.] So that thou ſhalt do great exploites, by mine aſſiſtance, againſt Sennacherib, Antiochus and other enemies ſubdued and threſhed down to ſtraw by the valiant Macchabees. Spiritualiter etiam hoc intelligendum, ſaith Sa. here; this is alſo ſpiritually to be underſtood of converting people to the faith ſeparatâ paleâ infidelitatis. This the Apoſtles did vigorouſly and effectually, being furniſhed by Chriſt with hornes of iron, and hoofes of braſs; with ſpirituall courage and metall, whereby they did ſoon beat in peeces many people, and brought them to Chriſt by the obedience of faith, together with all their wealth and ſubſtance, which they cheerfully conſecrate unto the Lord of the whole earth. This was typified of old by the Tabernacle built with the ſpoils of the Egyptians: and by Davids dedicating to the Lord the gold and ſilver which in great abundance he had taken from the enemies 2 Sam. 8. It is prophecied of Tyrus, that being converted ſhe ſhould find another manner of merchandiſe then formerly, viz: to feed and cloth Gods poore with durable cloathing. The Centurion, Eſa. 23.18. Luke 7.when once he became a Proſelyte, built the Jewiſh Synagogues, that had been thrown down by Antiochus. Conſtantine the Great was bountifull to the Church above meaſure, inſomuch as that he was by the heathens in ſcorn called Pupillus, as if he had wanted a guardian to over-rule and order his expences. Sed refriguit hoc ſtudium hodiè in magiſtratibus pleriſque, as Gualthe… …re complaineth, and not without cauſe. The Church is not only ſcanted, but ſpo…ed of her revenues: and that which was piouſly conſecrated, is impiouſly converted to other uſes &c. Thus He.