hee is therefore justly taxed by the learned Knight Sir Walter Raleigh * who makes it apparant Hist lib. 1. cap. 5. §. 12. †7. Ptolom Asiae Tab. 4. that Epiphania can no waies belong to Naphtali the Provinces of Loadicene and Libanica lying betweene it and any part of the Holy Land Besides hee is deceived in making Epiphania to bee a Citie of Coelosyria which beeing a Province lying in the hollow Vallies betweene Libanus and Antilibanus hath Libanus for its furthest North bound Now Epiphania lyes yet a great way further to the North as it is apparant by Ptolomie The Countrey of Hamath is that Region which lyeth to the North East of Libanus and boundeth * Ezek. 48.1 North upon Damascus The Region wherein Riblah stood where Pharaoh Necho slew lehoahaz and Nebuchadnezzar the Iewish Captives 2 Kings 23.33 25.6 20.21 Which Ribla saith Iunius out of the Ierosolymitan Paraphrast * Num. 34.11 was Apamia It was this Countrey whereof Tohu was King who sent David Presents after his Victory over Hadadezer King of Zobah who was his neighbour and had warre with him 2 Sam. 8.9 Which Zobah is that that is called Aram Zobah Psal 60.1 And is according to Iunius Translation placed in Chamath 1 Chro. 18.13 Regem Tzobae in Chamatha But by our Translators t is well rendred not in but unto Hamath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 viz. David pursued him so far For these two Kings Tohu and Hada dezer bordered upon one another but did not lye one within another It was this Countrey that was the Northermost Border of the Land of Canaan as is plaine by Ioshua Cap. 13. verse 5. where Hamath lyeth East-ward from Lebanon and Baal-gad under Mount Hermon But Hamath in Naphtali lyeth South-west from both And of this Hamath Moses speaketh Numb 34.8 for by comparing this place with Ioshua 13.5 and Ezek. 47.15 16. and 48.1 it is apparant the North borders of the Land of Canaan stretched a great way farther than * Hamath in Naphtali And it may be See also Exod. 23.31 Deut. 11.24 Amos 6.2 14. that this Land of Hamath is meant 1 Kings 8.65 where Salomon made a Feast for Israel from the entring in of Hamath to the River of Egypt viz. Sihor this the most Southerly that the most Northerly bounds of Canaan both at that time in Salomons possession 1 Kings 4.21 Now whether of the two bee here meant t is somewhat uncertaine But I take it that the Land of Hamath is here spoken of rather than the Citie before mentioned unlesse there were some other great City in Hamath of the same name with the Countrey because that had beene the place wherein the Iewes Enemies had executed part of their crueltie against them and because it borders upon the Province of Damascus And so that beeing after this was next to the burning according to the next words shall border thereby 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 referre the Article to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the sense is plaine Hamath lyes nigh unto Damascus in place and it shall fare the worse for its neighbour-hood the punishment that lights on Damascus shall fall also on it Yet concerning that Citie in Naphtali it may be that the Naphtalites never gate it into their Possession no more than the Asherites their neere Neighbours could winne many stronge Cities that were in their Tribe from the Phoenicians especially Tyrus and Zidon and as these so Hamath not farre from eyther might still continue in the Phoenicians possession who were no kind friends to the Iewes and therefore should now smart for it Then quaere ult 4 Tyrus and Sidon two famous Sea Townes of Phoenicia given to the Tribe of Asher but still possessed by the Naturals These used much * Ezek. 26.2.28.24 proud insolent and cruell dealing towards the Iewes in the time of the Desolation of their State Wherefore God threatens Revenge which they should not escape no * Some reade Because they are wise i.e. Cunning and crafty Merchanes to cousen others Which brought a plague upon them though it be very wise viz. Tyrus the chiefe City or rather though each of them be very wise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the singular Number distributively as the French chacune d'elles by a common Hebraisme The effect of the words is a kinde of eironicall derision of these Phoenicians Wisedome and Policie for the upholding of their State against Invaders which yet should not helpe them a whit See the like Mocke Ezek. 28.3 4 5 6. where wee may see how arrogant they were especially Tyrus Wherefore the Prophet proceedes on in a further Declaration of the judgement of Tyrus shewing 1. Her Confidence which besides her Wit and Policie before named stoode upon two things 1 Fortification and Munition And Tyrus did * build her selfe a strong Hold Fortified the Citie and other places about with Military Defence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paronomasia â—legans And how strong Tyrus was even by its naturall situation t is well knowne 2 Money the other finew of Warre Their great plenty of Gold and Silver is described Hyperbolically by such things as are most numbersome and easiest and cheapest got together and heaped up Silver as the dust and fine Gold 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the mire of the streets Which Abundance of Treasure it was not hard for the Tyrians to gather together considering the long and great Trade which all Nations of the World used there as is largely described Ezek. 27. Verse 3. 2. Her Ruine neyther Wit nor Wealth nor Strength should save her Behold the Lord by his Instruments will cast her out viz. of her inheritance and great wealth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Expellet eam haereditate or Pauperem reddet Which Translation me thinkes fits well to this place will make her Poore in opposition to her great riches wherein she trusted So the French l'appourira And Rabbi Schelomo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that signification which the Word hath 1 Sam. 2.7 And hee will smite her power in the Sea i. e. Though shee be seated in an Iland very difficult to bee besieged and approached unto yet shall shee not bee impregnable meanes shall bee found to besiege and take her notwithstanding all the strength of resistance that can be made as after it fell out And this is spoken in opposition to her strength which should be vanquished by taking of the City But this is noted She shall bee burnt too and shee shall bee devoured with Fire eaten up i. e. consumed a Metaphor from ravenous Beasts This burning of the Citie is added Emphatically Tyrus was seated in the middest of the Waters yet shee shall be devoured with Fire Nothing shall quench where God kindles the flame Verse 4. 5 The Philistines who dwelt along the Sea Coast Southward of Sidon and Tyrus from whence this storme was next to come upon them who also had evermore beene the Iewes bitter Adversaries The
comfort Zion and shall yet chuse Ierusalem 18 Then lift I up mine eyes and saw and behold foure hornes 19 And I said unto the Angel that talked with me What be these And he answered me These are the hornes which have scattered Iudah Israel and Ierusalem 20 And the Lord shewed me foure Carpenters 21 Then said I What come these to doe And he answered and said These are the hornes which have scattered Iudah so that a man durst not lift up his head but these are come to fray them and to cast out the hornes of the Gentiles which lift up their horne over the Land of Iudah to scatter it THis Booke seemes to containe the summe of five Sermons delivered by the Prophet Zacharie at severall times partly 1. Doctrinall as the first Chap. 1. to the seventh Verse being a Sermon of Repentance prefixed as a Preface to the other Prophesies both of Mercies and Iudgements and that fitly Repentance being the onely preparative to fit a People to heare of Mercie and an onely meanes to escape Iudgement In this Sermon we are to note 1. The Circumstances which are three viz. 1. The Time In the eight moneth two moneths after Haggai began to prophesie Hag. 1.1 when as the Iewes were in ill state through Famine and the worke of the Temple but newly taken in hand of the second yeere of Darius There was no King in Israel from whose reigne to date their Prophesies And who this King of Persia was Whether Darius the sonne of Hystaspis or Nothus wee 'le leaue to enquire til we come to the twelfth verse of this Chapter 2. The Preachers Authoritie and Commission and that 's Divine from immediate inspiration Came the Word of the Lord. 3. The Person by whose Ministerie the Message is delivered described unto us by his Name Pedigree and Office unto Zechariah the sonne of Berechiah the sonne of Iddo the Prophet that the Prophet is to be referred to Zechariah not to Iddo Though there were one of that name a Prophet yet that Zechariah was of his Progenie is utterly uncertaine This Zechariah is the same that is mentioned Matth. 23.35 Luke 11.51 who after * Chap. 11.1 13. the re-edifying of the Temple was slaine by the Iewes Nor needes any long dispute about it seeing both the name of his Father is the same Berechiah here and in Matthew And also the manner of Christs account easily perswades to it who reckoning up the innocent bloud shed by the Iewes begins at Abel and ends even in the last of the holy Prophets Whereas after that Zechariah 2. Chron. 24.22 many other Prophets and holy men were put to death And moreover What warrant is there to turne Iehoiadas name into Berechiah Is it likely he was trinominis Iehoiada Berechiah and Iohanan for so he is called in the Catalogue of the High Priests 1. Chron. 6.9 Or what ground is there to * Genev. Note on 2. Chron. 24.22 say Zacharies progenitors were Iddo Berechiah Iehoiada c. when no such thing appeares in Genealogie Besides it is not unlikely that that Zacharie in the second of Chronicles was slaine in the Court of the People after hee had preached unto them standing in an high place among them as appeares Verse 20 21. but this was slaine in the Court of the Priests viz. betweene the Temple and Altar whither being assaulted hee ran for sanctuarie as others before him had done though they were no Priests as it may be our Zacharie was not Some thinke it was Zacharie the Father of Iohn Baptist Luke 1. that Christ speakes of but it is without all ground of good reason and therefore I rest on the first as a truth 2. The substance of the Sermon which is an exhortation to Repentance briefly set downe Verse 3. Turne ye unto me This exhortation is 1. Confirmed and enforced by three Arguments 1. From Gods fierce anger against their forefathers The Lord hath beene displeased not in an ordinarie manner but sore displeased 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with boyling or foaming anger with your fathers of former and later times as stories of the one and wofull experience of the other shew you Verse 2. Therefore turne and repent yee their posteritie 2. From Gods soveraigntie and high power to command or punish Thus sayth the Lord of Hostes and againe Thus sayth the Lord of Hostes against whom there is no hope to rebell and prosper Verse 3. 3. From Gods promise of mercie upon their repentance I will turne unto you in pardon of sinne and deliverie of them out of the scarcitie and dangerous condition they were then in into a better estate of peace and plentie and outward prosperitie This promise also is strengthened by the former attribute of Gods power sayth the Lord of Hostes who have command over Man and all other Creatures to make your Enemies at peace with you or to defend you from their force and to cause the Earth to be fruitfull for your necessities Verse 3. 2. Amplified by a Removall of one maine impediment of this peoples repentance and that is The bad example of their fore-fathers and their good opinion of them A point prevailing much with all but very much with the Iewes Ier. 44.17 Matth. 5.21 who were great admirers and stiffe imitators of their Ancientrie From this the Prophet dehorts them Be not as your Fathers No Why not The Prophet gives two reasons to perswade them to the contrarie 1. From their Disobedience Your Fathers were not so honest men as you may deeme them to be they were Rebels Which appeares by 1. The preachings of the Prophets in former times convincing them of their wicked courses and calling upon them for repentance unto whom the former Prophets as wee now to you their posteritie haue cryed spake lowd enough to be heard and heeded saying Thus sayth the Lord of Hostes Turne you now from your evill wayes and that is from your wicked workes 2. The practice of the people of those times obstinately refusing to yeeld obedience But they as you now for all is spoken with reference to the present estate did not heare that was much when the Prophets spake so audibly but it is God that opens the eare nor much lesse hearken vnto me giue attention to lay up in their hearts what was spoken but slighted all or they did not so heare as to hearken id est obey what was spoken sayth the Lord. And if any stand for them and say it was not so they spake a lye Verse 4. 2. From their Punishment Which is here more largely amplified as an enforcement of the first reason of the Prophets exhortation to repentance viz. The Fathers were punished therefore the Children shall not goe scot-free This the Prophet doth elegantly preventing that Opinion which deepely possesseth the mindes of impenitent sinners scilicet That Gods Iudgements in former times and his Ministers preaching to ages past doe not a whit concerne posteritie that which is past is
Religion and the Stories of the Evangelists and * Act. 2.10 Acts shew us many examples yea it seemes the Iewes especially the * Matt. 23.15 Pharises tooke a pride in converting others to Iudaisme And Sanctius inclines hereto because the Text speakes not simply of The Nations but Many Nations not implying a generall Conversion as yet If we understand it of the generall Conversion of the Gentiles to the Gospell it may be demanded How this could make for the comfort of the Iewes now who were alwayes stiffe in the maintenance of Moyses Ceremonies all which with the Temple and State were to be taken away at the Gentiles Conversion Ergo Quaere and shall be my People as well as the naturall Iew according to the Law Exod. 12.49 and I will dwell in the middest of thee and thou shalt know that the Lord of Hostes hath sent me as before Vers 9. 10. here repeated for their further assurance Verse 11. 3. From the Covenant of Grace and Election made with this People They are Gods Inheritance of ancient Descent his onely Portion and such as belong to his Election And though there were some interruption in shewing of favour for a time yet was there no intercision and utter breach of Covenant nor is to this time as the Apostle sheweth Rom. 11.28 29. And the Lord shall inherite Iuda And who can put him by the Clayme and Possession of his owne Inheritance his Portion in the Holy Land It implyes a double Prerogative First Other Nations there were that dwelt in the Land of Canaan but Iuda onely is his Portion they are under his generall jurisdiction his Church enjoyes his speciall and gracious protection Secondly God will have his possession lye not in Babylon or other forreine Lands of their Captivitie but in Canaan the Holy Land the ancient Seat of their Fathers and of his holy Worship and shall chuse Ierusalem againe therein to establish his Service and Worship after hee hath so long time seemed to reject it Verse 12. 3. The third Apostrophe is generall to all whether Enemies that might boast of their Power and threaten the perpetuall overthrow of the Iewes happinesse or unbeleeving Iewes that would distrust Gods Promises and argue unlikely hoods and impossibilities of their performance Both these have their mouthes stopt by an awfull command that enjoynes also their hearts to reverence and obedience as well as their tongues to silence Be silent O all Flesh c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 st brag not threaten not dispute not doubt not The reasons are three 1. They are but Flesh O all Flesh weake and ignorant Men who may not compare their wisdome or oppose their strength to Gods 2. Hee is IEHOVAH before the Lord able and well-skill'd to bring to passe all his Promises 3. Hee is alreadie come forth to shew himselfe for the salvation of his People And who dares quatch in his presence how-ever they durst make bold when hee seemed to be absent and out of hearing For hee is raysed up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 awaked as a man out of sleepe Psal 44.23 out of his holy Habitation id est Heaven as it is interpreted Deut. 26.15 from whence God would now send helpe for his People Or the Temple which was likewise Gods * 1. Sam. 2.29 Habitation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And though now it were contemptible not halfe built c. yet was it holy and thence as out of a strong Fort God would shew himselfe for the defence of his Church Verse 13. That place of Habacuk 2.20 carryes another meaning with it CHAP. III. ANd he shewed me Iehoshua the High Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord and Satan stood at his right hand to resist him 2 And the Lord said unto Satan The Lord reproove thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Ierusalem reproove thee Is not this a Brand taken out of the Fire 3 Now Iehoshua was clothed with filthie Garments and stood before the Angel 4 And hee answered and spake unto those that stood before him saying Take away the filthie Garments from him And unto him hee said Behold I have caused thine iniquitie to depart from thee and I will clothe thee with change of Rayment 5 And I said Let them set a faire Diademe upon his head So they set a faire Diademe upon his head and clothed him with Garments and the Angel of the Lord stood by 6 And the Angel of the Lord testified unto Iehoshua saying 7 Thus sayth the Lord of Hostes If thou wilt walke in my Wayes and keepe my Watch thou shalt also judge mine House and shalt also keepe my Courts and I will give thee place among these that stand by 8 Heare now O Iehoshua the High Priest thou and thy fellowes that sit before thee for they are monstrous Persons But behold I will bring foorth the Branch my Servant 9 For loe the Stone that I have layd before Iehoshua upon one Stone shall be seven Eyes behold I will cut out the graving thereof sayth the Lord of Hostes and I will take away the iniquitie of this Land in one Day 10 In that Day sayth the Lord of Hostes shall yee call every man his Neighbour under the Vine and under the Figge-tree WHat the scope of this Vision is Vision 4. is somewhat doubtfull Some thinke it to be proposed as a comfort to the People who tooke discouragement at the meanenesse and basenesse of the Priest-hood whose outward Pompe and Dignitie was not like unto that before the Captivitie True it is the Priests in this Temple wanted some Ornaments they had in the first but yet it may be questioned whether all things considered their state and splendor were not as much in the last as the first Temple But of this we shall see further in the sixt Chapter Meane while the Circumstances of this Chapter being layd together the maine scope of the whole seemes to be this That whereas there were many outward Enemies and corporall Distresses that hindered the Peoples prosperitie whereof they much complayned and against which they received comfort by the former Visions there are besides them spirituall and invisible Enemies lesse sensible indeed but much more powerfull to procure the hurt of the Iewish State These are the Sinnes of People and Priest and Satan the Accuser vehemently urging them against both to the hinderance of any Blessing they might expect and furtherance of their Punishments Against these God gives the Iewes comfort by this Vision namely That although their sinnes might be objected against themselves and their Intercessor the High Priest yet they had another High Priest who would pleade their Cause pardon their Sinnes build up the Temple and give Peace to his Church This Vision hath two parts 1. Touching the Type Iehoshua the Iewish High Priest against whom principally Satan bends his Accusation as that Person who stood betweene God and the People to make intercession and attonement for
Of two Women which carryed away the Ephah with the Woman in it and Talent upon it Now this fourth part of the Vision declares what manner of Punishment God would lay upon this People which is no lesse than their finall dispersion and scattering abroad from their owne Land figured by this carrying away of the Ephah into the Land of Shinar Which is described to us 1. By the Instruments that conveyed it away two winged Women Then I lift up mine eyes and looked and behold there came out two Women that is sayth Iunius the Church of the Iewes in respect of two severall Times first under Ezra who purged and reformed the Church Ezra 9. 10. secondly under Nehemiah who againe reformed the abuses thereof Nehem. 13. So that in effect the two Women heere are Ezra and Nehemiah the principall authors of Reformation though they used the helpe also of the other Rulers But pace tanti viri this exposition seemes not allowable First for that these were times of Reformation wherein wee finde none throwne out of the Church but upon Repentance and present amendment of that generall fault viz. Marriage of strange Wives more firmely united thereto But this Vision seemes not to intimate any generall Reformation of Wickednesse but a generall Punishment for default of Repentance and amendment as appeares by the order of the Vision the wicked Woman is cast into the Ephah covered with Lead then carried away into another Countrey Secondly it stands not with the last Verse which most clearely shewes that this wicked Woman should beare the punishment of her Iniquitie not at home in Iudaea but in perpetuall Banishment in forraine Countreyes And Iunius interpretation of this Banishment into Shinar to be the adjudging and enwrapping of the wicked Iewes at home in the same * If by the same judgement he mean Perpetuall it is true in some sort albeit those in Babylon were not banished as yet from the Iews Societie but might returne home if they would yea did once a yeere ordinarily come up to Ierusalem Condemnation with their wicked Brethren residing in Babylon is intricate and falls short of the full meaning of that Verse as wee shall see Wherefore I conceive that by these two Women is meant nothing else but those Instruments and Agents whom God would imploy in the speedie execution of his Wrath upon the Iewish Nation who are resembled by Women not for that God would bring it to passe by weake meanes for that is not so the Romans by strong hand overthrowing the Iewes Common-wealth but onely to keepe proportion with the rest of the Vision that the parties punishing might be correspondent to the partie punished shee appeared like a Woman and so did they And the wind was in their * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Masculine Article referred to a Feminine Nowne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but as it were intimating that these Women were indeed types of Men. wings for they had wings like the wings of a Storke This figures the swift and violent execution of Gods Iudgement on this Nation The Women had wings and those large and great like the wings of a Storke and they were helped forward with the winde which bore them up and drove them on apace like a Bird that flyes before the winde All which sets foorth the swift approach and speedie execution of Gods Vengeance to be accomplished by the Romans who with great celeritie and violence destroyed the Iewes State Iunius and Piscat understand it of the swift and couragious proceeding of Ezra and Nehemiah against the Corruptions and Abuses of their Times And true it is that first Reformation was speedily performed within the space of two moneths Ezra 10.16 17. But I take the scope of the Vision lookes not that way 2. The Manner of it They tooke up the Ephah from the ground and lifting it aloft in the Ayre carryed it away betwixt them And they lift up the Ephah betweene the Earth and the Heaven id est say Iunius and Piscat by the Sentence of Excommunication publiquely denounced Ezra 10.8 for to that place I suppose they have reference But I take it this lifting up betweene the Earth and Heaven is onely a meere circumstance of the transportation of the Ephah The Women that beare it away had wings and flye they did wherefore it was necessarie they should take up the Ephah and mount with it aloft into the Ayre That which is to be observed in it is the manner of this Punishment viz. it should be a removall and deportation of them out of their owne Countrey Which further appeares by the next Circumstance 3. The Place whither this Ephah was carried and where it was left Which by occasion of the Prophets Question Verse 10. the Angell tells Verse 11. And he said unto me To build it an House id est to appoint it a place of continuall abode Ier. 29.5.28 as in a settled Dwelling in the Land of Shinar id est Babylon or Mesopotamia and Chaldaea Gen. 10.10 11.2 For although the Iewes were by the Romans scattered into all parts of the World almost yet they did and doe principally reside in those Easterne parts of * 1. Pet. 1.1 Asia the lesse Chaldaea Mesopotamia and Babylon Wherefore this Land of Shinar is here specially mentioned first because it was the place of their former Captivitie and the mentioning thereof was * As saith Sanctius Qui ex noâ—â—ris Argerij captivi suerunt natali solo restituti cum Argerium audinnt vincula audium c. and Hos 9.3 Captivitie is threatened to the ten Tribes under the name of Returning into Aegypt though they were captived not into Aegypt but Assyria sufficient to give them notice what they should expect even the same Condition of Banishment they were in before in Shinar secondly because their Brethren despising the mercie of their deliverance still remained there in wilfull exile with whom those at home are also doomed to perpetuall Banishment And it is most probable the remaining of those Iewes in Babylon was a great occasion to draw thither a great number of these scattered Iewes who upon their flight and dispersion resorted thither for entertainment and it shall be established and set there upon her owne Base This signifies the perpetuitie and firme continuance of the Iewes Punishment This wicked Woman had beene before carried Captive but it was but for 70. yeeres shee should yet againe be carried away out of her owne Countrey and be surely settled to abide for ever in the Land of her Banishment like as a House upon its Foundation or Pillar strongly fixed upon a firme * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A place fitted for any thing a Base as of the Altar Ezra 3.3 of the Lavers 1. King 7.27 Base where it will stand sure long to remaine Thus then these wicked Iewes being compassed in with their Iniquities and imprisoned under the heavie Burthen of Gods dreadfull Vengeance should
which goes before whereto it is as a Conclusion 2. To that which followes in the next words and the beginning of the next Chapter touching the Reliefe of their present Penurie by sending Abundance The division of the Chapters here make the cohaerence somewhat difficult but if it be well considered it will appeare that the next words belong to the matter of the next Chapter Hitherto of the first Benefit viz. The temporall Deliverance of the Iewes from the rage of such Parts of the Graecian Empire as they had to doe withall Now follows the second Benefit towards these Iewes that were returned viz. §§ 2. Reliefe of their penurious Estate by promising them Abundance of outward Necessaries The Iewes had beene a great while pinched with Famine and for the time to come having to deale with so many Enemies that should harry their Countrey they might doubt to feele a continuall scarcitie of necessary Provision But God that purposed to preserve them meant also to provide for them and as his goodnesse should bee seene in the one so should it not bee wanting in the other to supply them with necessary maintenance This blessing is 1. Promised Corne shall make the young men cheerfull and new wine the Maides under these two species comprising all necessary Provision whatsoever which should be afforded in such Abundance as should make them who fainted before through scarcitie and want full of life cheerefulnesse and mirth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 germinare aut florere aut loqui faciet scilicet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metaphorically fill them with joy and thankes-giving and properly make them strong lusty and fruitfull who before pined and withered away Lam. 2.12.21 And this was partly fulfilled at that time when Zacharie prophesied when God began to ease the People of their long famine as it is Chap. 8.2 and Hag. 2. partly in times succeeding CHAP. X. ASke you of the Lord Raine in the time of the latter Raine so shall the Lord make white Clouds and give you showres of Raine and to every one grasse in the field 2 Surely the Idols have spoken vanitie and the Sooth-sayers have seene a lye and the Dreamers have told a vaine thing they comfort in vaine therefore they went away as sheepe they were troubled because there was no Shepheard 3 My wrath was kindled against the Shepheards and I did visite the Goates but the Lord of hostes will visite his flocke the house of Iuda and will make them as his beautifull horse in the Battell 4 Out of him shall the corner come forth out of him the nayle out of him the bow of battell and out of him every Appointer of Tribute also 5 And they shall be as the mightie men which tread downe their Enemies in the myre of the streetes in the battell and they shall fight because the Lord is with them and the riders on horses shall be confounded 6 And I will strenthen the house of Iudah and I will preserue the house of Ioseph and I will bring them againe for I pitie them and they shall be as though I had not cast them off for I am the Lord their God and will heare them 7 And they of Ephraim shall bee as a Gyant and their heart shall rejoyce as through wine yea their children shall see it and be glad and their heart shall rejoyce in the Lord. 8 I will hisse for them and gather them for I have redeemed them and they shall encrease as they have encreased 9 And I will sow them among the People and they shall remember me in farre Countries and they shall live with their Children and turne againe 10 I will bring them againe also out of the Land of Egypt and gather them out of Ashur and I will bring them into the Land of Gilead and Lebanon and place shall not bee found for them 11 And he shall goe into the sea with affliction and shall smite the waves in the Sea and all the Depthes of the River shall dry up and the pride of Ashur shall be cast down and the scepter of Egypt shall depart away 12 And I will strengthen them in the Lord and they shall walke in his Name saith the Lord. 2. AMplified two waies 1. By the true meanes whereby these blessings were to be obtained which are 1. Prayer unto God in the time of their necessities Aske ye of the Lord Raine Synecdoch for all other blessings of Fruitfulnesse and Encrease whereof that is a principall Causs in the time of the latter Raine when there is greatest need of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pluvia serotina The latter Raine which fell in the latter end of the Spring betweene the latter end of March and May which brought the Corne to an eare and made it kearne before Harvest There was anothet Raine also greatly needfull 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pluvia matutina The former Raine which fell in the Autum about the latter end of September and beginning of October in the seede time Great a Iob. 29.23 expectation there was of these two most seasonable Raines in regard that Syria and Iudaea lying very hot there was not nor is at this day usually for three or foure Moneths b This is confirmed not only by that 1 Sam. 12.17 where raine is an unusuall thing to bee seene in harvest and that of Hierome on Amos 4. ◠who lived in Iudaea and saith hee never saw Raine there in Iune and Iuly but also by the common experience of such as at this day live there by at Aleppo a little more Northerly where for three or foure Moneths after May they scarce have so much as any deaw upon the ground space from the end of May to the end of September any raine at all nay scarce so much as any Deaw And therefore if the former Raine in seede time had not fell the ground by reason of that long drought would have been unfit for tilling for its hardnesse and want of moysture and if the latter fell not before Harvest the Corne would have parched away in the blade before it had bin eared and kearned 2. Gods Blessing upon the worke of nature in making Clouds pouring out of showres and causing the Earth to give her Encrease So the Lord shall make bright Clouds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Seventie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apparitiones mistaking the roote from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 videre The Chaldaean 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ventos but improperly and not to the Text The Vulgar nives for nubes by an errour of the Translator or Scribe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifie Fulgetra Coruscationes Lightnings Iob 28.26 The French turne it properly de esclairs Iunius Nimbos i.e. more stormie and violent Raines our old Translators white Clouds our new bright Clouds If we take it for lightnings it must be understood by a c as Kimchi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coruscationes erunt 〈◊〉 pluvia Metonymie of the adjunct