EZEKIEL.


[The vision.]





Introductory matter



THE ARGVMENT.

After that Iehoiachin by the counsel of Ieremiah and Ezekiel had yeelded himselfe to Nebuchadnezzar, and so went into captiuitie with his mother and diuers of his princes and of the people, certaine began to repent and murmure that they had obeied the Prophets counsell, as though the thing which they had prophecied should not come to passe, and therefore their estate should be still miserable vnder the Caldeans. By reason whereof he confirmeth his former prophecies, declaring by newe visions and reuelations shewed vnto him, that the citie shoulde most certainely be destroyed, and the people grieuously tormented by Gods plagues, insomuch that they that remained, shoulde bee brought into cruell bondage. And lest the godly should despaire in these great troubles, he assureth them that God will deliuer his Church at his time appoynted, and also destroy their enemies which either afflicted them, or reioyced in their miseries. The effect of the one and the other should chiefely be perfourmed vnder Christ, of whom in this booke are many notable promises, and in whom the glory of the newe Temple should perfectly be restored. He prophecied these things in Caldea at the same time that Ieremiah prophecied in Iudah, and there began in the fift yere of Iehoiachins captiuitie.




CHAP. I.


1 The time wherein Ezekiel prophecied and in what place. 3 His kinred. 5 The vision of the foure beastes. 26 The vision of the throne.

1 It came to passe in the [Note: [a] After that the booke of the Law was founde, which was the eightenth yere of the reigne of Iosiah, so that fiue and twentie yeeres after this booke was found, Ieconiah was led away captiue with Ezekiel (and many of the people) who the first yere after sawe these visions. ] thirtieth yere in the fourth moneth, and in the fift day of the moneth (as I was among the captiues by the riuer [Note: [b] Which was a part of Euphrates, so called. ] Chebar) that the heauens were opened and I sawe visions of [Note: [c] That is notable, and excellent visions, so yt it might be knowen, it was no natural dreame, but came of God. ] GOD.

2 In the fift day of the moneth (which was the fift yere of King Ioiachins captiuitie)

3 The word of the Lorde came vnto Ezekiel the Priest, the sonne of Buzi, in the lande of the Caldeans, by the riuer Chebar, where the [Note: [d] That is, the Spirit of prophecie, as Chap.3.22. & 37.1. ] hande of the Lord was vpon him.

4 And I looked, and beholde, [Note: [e] By this diuersity of words he signifieth the fearefull iudgement of God, and the great afflictions, yt should come vpon Ierusalem. ] a whirlewinde came out of the North, a great cloude and a fire wrapped about it, and a brightnesse was about it, and in the middes thereof, to wit, in the middes of the fire came out as the likenesse of [Note: Or, pale yellowe. ] amber.

5 Also out of the middes therof came the likenesse of foure beastes, [Note: [f] Which were the foure Cherubims that represented the glory of God, as Chap.3.23. ] and this was their forme: they had the appearance of a man.

6 And euery one had foure faces, and euery one had foure wings.

7 And their feete were streight feete, and the sole of their feete was like the sole of a calues foote, and they sparkled like the appearance of bright brasse.

8 And the handes of a man came out from vnder their wings in the foure parts of them, & they foure had their faces, and their wings.

9 They where [Note: [g] The wing of ye one touched the wing of the other. ] ioyned by their wings one to another, and when they went forth, they returned not, but euery one went streight forward.

10 And the similitude of their faces was as [Note: [h] Euery Cherubim had foure faces, the face of a man, and of a lyon on the right side, and the face of a bullocke, and of, an egle on the left side. ] the face of a man: and they foure had the face of a lyon on the right side, and they foure had the face of a bullocke on the left side: they foure also had the face of an egle.

11 Thus were their faces: but their wings were spred out aboue: two wings of euery one were ioined one to another, & two couered their bodies.

12 And euery one went streight forward: they went whither their [Note: Ebr. Whither their spirit or will was to goe. ] spirit led them, and they returned not when they went forth.

13 The similitude also of the beasts, and their appearance was like burning coles of fire, & like the appearance of lampes: for the fire ran among the beastes, and the fire gaue a glister, and out of the fire there went lightning.

14 And the beastes ranne, and [Note: [i] That is, when they had executed Gods will: for afore they returned not, till God had changed the state of things. ] returned like vnto lightning.

15 ¶ Nowe as I behelde the beastes, beholde, a wheele appeared vpon the earth by the beastes, hauing foure faces.

16 The facion of the wheeles and their worke was like vnto a [Note: [k] The Ebrewe worde is tarshish: meaning, that the colour was like the Cilician sea, or a precious stone so called. ] chrysolite: and they foure had one forme, and their facion, and their worke was as one wheele in another wheele.

17 Whe they went, they went vpo their foure sides, and they returned not when they went.

18 They had also [Note: Or, the trent. ] rings, and height, and were fearefull to beholde, and their rings were full of eyes, round about them foure.
[Note: [Subnote: THE VISION OF EZEKIEL.]

A. The whirlewinde that came out of the North, or Aquilon.

B. The great cloud.

C. The fire wrapped about it.

D. The brightnesse about it.

E. The likenesse of amber, or the pale colour.

F. The forms of the foure beastes.

G. Their feete like calues feete.

H. Handes coming out fro vnder their wings.

I. K. L. M. The facion of the foure faces of euery beast.

N. Their wings ioyned one to another.

O. Their two wings, which couered their bodies.

P. Fire running among the beasts.

Q Wheeles hauing euery one foure faces.

R. The rings of the wheeles which were ful of eyes.

S. The firmament like vnto chrystal.

T. The throne, which was set vpo the firmament.

V. Where sate like the appearance of a man.

X. The appearance of amber aboue, & beneath the man.

Y. The fire about him.

Z. The brightnes of fire like the raine bowe.

Midi, Or the South

] [Page]

[The vision of the throne.]




19 And when the beastes went, the wheeles went with them: and when the beasts were lift vp from the earth, the wheeles were lift vp.

20 Whither the spirit led them, they went, & thither did the spirite of the wheeles leade them, and the wheeles were lifted vp besides them: for the spirit of the beastes was in the wheeles.

21 When the beastes went, they went, & when they stoode, they stoode, and when they were lifted vp from the earth, the wheeles were lifted vp besides them: for the spirite of the beastes was in the wheeles.

22 And the similitude of the firmament vpon the heads of the beasts was wonderfull, like vnto chrystall, spred ouer their heads aboue.

23 And vnder the firmament were their wings streight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which couered the, and euery one had two, which couered their bodies.

[The vision of the throne.]




24 And when they went foorth, I heard the noyse of their [Note: [l] Which declared the swiftnesse, and the fearefulnesse of Gods iudgements. ] wings, like the noyse of great waters, and as the voyce of the Almightie, euen the voyce of speach, as the noyse of an host: and when they stood, they [Note: [m] Which signified, that they had no power of themselues but onely waited to execute Gods commandement. ] let downe their wings.

25 And there was a voyce fro the firmament, that was ouer their heads, when they stoode, and had let downe their wings.

26 And aboue the firmament that was ouer their heads, was the facion of a throne like vnto a saphir stone, and vpon the similitude of the throne was by appearance, as the similitude of a man aboue vpon it.

27 And I sawe as the appearance of amber, and as the similitude of fire [Note: [n] Whereby was signified a terrible iudgement toward the earth. ] round about within it to looke to, euen from his loynes vpwarde: and to looke to, euen from his loynes downewarde, I sawe as a likenesse of fire, and brightnesse round about it.


[Page 85]

[Stiffe hearted.]




28 As the likenesse of the bowe, that is in the cloude in the day of raine, so was the appearance of the light round about.

29 This was the appearance of the similitude of the glorie of the Lord: and when I sawe it, I fell [Note: [o] Considering the maiestie of God, and the weakenesse of flesh. ] vpon my face, and I heard a voyce of one that spake.


CHAP. II.


The Prophet is sent to call the people from their errour.

1 And [Note: [a] That is, the Lord. ] he said vnto me, [Note: [b] Meaning man, which is but earth and ashes, which was to humble him and cause him to consider his owne state, and Gods grace. ] Sonne of man, stand vp vpon thy feete, & I wil speake vnto thee.

2 [Note: [c] So that he coulde not abide Gods presence till Gods Spirit did enter into him. ] And the Spirite entred into me, when he had spoken vnto me, and set me vpon my feete, so that I heard him that spake vnto me.

3 And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: for they and their fathers haue rebelled against me, euen vnto this very day.

4 For they are [Note: Ebr. hard of face. ] impudent children, and stiffe hearted: I do send thee vnto them, & thou shalt say vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God.

5 But surely they will not heare, neither in deede will they cease: for they are a rebellious house: yet shall they knowe that [Note: [d] This declareth on the one part Gods great affection toward his people, that notwithstanding their rebellion, yet he will send his Prophets among them, and admonisheth his ministers on the other parte that they cease not to doe their duetie, though the people be neuer so obstinate: for the worde of God shalbe eyther to their saluation or greater condemnation. ] there hath bene a Prophet among them.

6 And thou sonne of man, [Note: [e] Reade Ierem.1. 17: he sheweth that for none afflictions they shoulde cease to doe their dueties. ] feare them not, neither be afraide of their wordes, although rebels, and thornes be with thee, and thou remainest with scorpions: feare not their wordes, nor be afrayde at their lookes, for they are a rebellious house.

7 Therefore thou shalt speake my words vnto them: but surely they will not heare, neither will they in deede cease: for they are rebellious.

8 But thou sonne of man, heare what I say vnto thee: be not thou rebellious, like this rebellious house: open thy mouth, and [Note: [f] He doeth not onely exhorte him to his duetie, but also giueth him the meanes wherewith he may be able to execute it. ] eate that I giue thee.

9 And when I looked vp, beholde, an hande was sent vnto me, and loe, a roule of a booke was therein.

10 And he spred it before me, and it was written within and without, and there was written therein, [Note: [g] He sheweth what were the contents of this booke: to wit, Gods iudgements against the wicked. ] Lamentations, and mourning, and woe.


CHAP. III.


1 The Prophet being fed with the worde of God and with the constant boldneße of the Spirit, is sent vnto the people that were in captiuitie. 17 The office of true ministers.

1 Moreouer he saide vnto me, Sonne of man, eate that thou findest: [Note: [a] Whereby is meant, that none is meete to be Gods messenger before he haue receiued the worde of God in his heart, as verse.10. and haue a zeale thereunto, and delite therein, as Ierem.15.16. reuel 10.10. ] eate this roule, and goe, and speake vnto the house of Israel.

2 So I opened my mouth, and he gaue mee this roule to eate.

3 And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, cause thy belly to eate, and fill thy bowels with this roule that I giue thee. Then did I eate it, and it was in my mouth as sweete as honie.

4 And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, goe, and enter into the house of Israel, and declare them my wordes.

5 For thou art not sent to a people of an vnknowen [Note: Ebr. deepe lippes. ] tongue, or of an hard language, but to the house of Israel,

6 Not to many people of an vnknowen tongue, or of an harde language, whose wordes

[The Prophets charge.]



thou canst not vnderstand: yet if I should sende thee to them, they would obey thee.

7 But the house of Israel will not obey thee: for they will not obey me: yea, all the house of Israel are impudent and stiffe hearted.

8 Beholde, I haue made thy face [Note: [b] God promiseth his assistance to his ministers, and that he will giue them boldnes and constancie in their vocation, Isa.50.7. iere.1.18. mich.3 8. ] strong against their faces, and thy forehead harde against their foreheads.

9 I haue made thy forehead as the adamant, and harder then the flint: feare them not therefore, neither be afraid at their lookes: for they are a rebellious house.

10 He said moreouer vnto me, Sonne of man, [Note: [c] He sheweth what is ment by the eating of the booke, which is, that the ministers of God may speake nothing as of them selues, but that onely, which they haue receiued of the Lorde. ] receiue in thine heart al my words that I speake vnto thee, and heare them with thine eares,

11 And goe and enter to them that are led away captiues vnto the children of thy people, and speake vnto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God: but surely they will not heare, neither will they in deede cease.

12 Then the spirite tooke me vp, and I heard behinde me a noise of a great russhing, saying, [Note: [d] Whereby he signifieth, that Gods glorie shoulde not be diminished, although he departed out of his Temple: for this declared, that the citie, and Temple shoulde be destroyed. ] Blessed be ye glorie of the Lord out of his place.

13 I heard also the noyse of the wings of the beasts, that touched one another, and the ratling of the wheeles that were by them, euen a noyse of a great russhing.

14 So the spirit lift me vp, and tooke me away and I [Note: [e] This sheweth that there is ouer an infirmitie of the flesh which can neuer be ready to render full obedience to God, and also Gods grace, who euer assisteth his, and ouercommeth their rebellious affections. ] went in bitternesse, and indignation of my spirite, but the hand of the Lorde was strong vpon me.

15 Then I came to them that were led away captiues to [Note: [f] Which was a place by Euphrates, where the Iewes were prisoners. ] Tel-abib, that dwelt by the riuer Chebar, and I sate where they sate, and remained there astonished among them [Note: [g] Declaring hereby, that Gods ministers must with aduisement, and deliberation vtter his iudgements. ] seuen dayes.

16 And at the ende of seuen dayes, the worde of the Lorde came againe vnto me, saying,

17 Sonne of man, I haue made thee a [Note: [h] Of this reade Chap.33.2. ] watchman vnto the house of Israel: therefore heare the worde at my mouth, and giue them warning from me.

18 When I shall say vnto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die, and thou giuest not him warning, nor speakest to admonish the wicked of his wicked way, that he may liue, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquitie: but his blood will I require at thine hande.

19 Yet if thou warne the wicked, and he turne not from his wickednesse, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquitie, but thou hast deliuered thy soule.

20 Likewise if a [Note: [i] If he that hath bene instructed in the right way turne backe. ] righteous man turne from his righteousnesse, and commit iniquitie, I will lay a [Note: [k] I will giue him vp into a reprobate minde, Rom.1.28. ] stumbling blocke before him, and he shal die, because thou hast not giuen him warning: he shall die in his sinne, and his [Note: [l] Which seemed to haue bene done in faith, and were not. ] righteous deedes, which he hath done, shall not be remembred: but his blood will I require at thine hand.

21 Neuerthelesse, if thou admonish that righteous man, that the righteous sinne not, and that he doeth not sinne, he shall liue because he is admonished: also thou hast deliuered thy soule.

22 And the [Note: [m] That is, the Spirite of prophesie. ] hande of the Lorde was there vpon me, and he said vnto me, Arise, and goe into the [Note: Or, valley. ] fielde, and I will there talke with thee.

23 So when I had risen vp, and gone foorth into the fielde, beholde, the [Note: [n] Meaning, the vision of the Cherubims, and the wheeles. ] glorie of the Lorde stoode there, as the glorie which I sawe by the riuer Chebar, and I fell downe vpon my face.

24 Then the Spirit entred into me, which [Note: [o] Reade Chap. 2.2. ] set [Page]

[The sinnes of the people.]



me vp vpon my feete, and spake vnto me, and said to me, Come, and [Note: [p] Signifying, that not onely he should not profit, but they should grieuously trouble and afflict him. ] shut thy selfe within thine house.

25 But thou, O sonne of man, beholde, they shall put bandes vpon thee, and shall binde thee with them, and thou shalt not goe out among them.

26 And I will make thy tongue [Note: [q] Which declareth the terrible plague of the Lord, when God stoppeth the mouthes of his ministers, and that all such are the rods of his vengeance that do it. ] cleaue to the roofe of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dume, and shalt not be to them as a man that rebuketh: for they are a rebellious house.

27 But when I shall haue spoken vnto thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God, He that heareth, let him heare, and he that leaueth off, [Note: Reuel.22.11. ] let him leaue: for they are a rebellious house.


CHAP. IIII.


1 The besieging of the citie of Ierusalem is signified. 9 The long continuance of the captiuitie of Israel. 16 An hunger is prophesied to come.

1 Thou also sonne of man, take thee a bricke, and lay it before thee, and pourtray vpon it the citie, euen Ierusalem,

2 And lay siege against it, and builde a fort against it, and cast a mount against it: set the campe also against it, and lay engins of warre against it rounde about.

3 Moreouer, take an [Note: [a] Which signified the stubburnesse and hardnes of their heart. ] yron pan, and set it for a wall of yron betweene thee and the citie, and direct thy face towarde it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it: this shall be a signe vnto the house of Israel.

4 Sleepe thou also vpon thy left side, and lay the iniquitie of the [Note: [b] Hereby he represented the idolatrie and sinne of the ten tribes (for Samaria was on his left hand fro Babylon) and how they had remained therein three hundreth and ninetie yeeres. ] house of Israel vpon it: according to the nomber of the dayes, that thou shalt sleepe vpo it, thou shalt beare their iniquity.

5 For I haue layed vpon thee the yeeres of their iniquitie, according to the nomber of the dayes, euen three hundreth and ninetie dayes: so shalt thou beare the iniquitie of the house of Israel.

6 And when thou hast accomplished them, sleepe againe vpon thy [Note: [c] Which declared Iudah, who had nowe from the time of Iosiah slept in their sinnes fourtie yeeres. ] right side, and thou shalt beare the iniquitie of the house of Iudah fourtie dayes: I haue appointed thee a day for a yeere, euen a day for a yeere.

7 Therefore thou shalt direct thy face towarde the siege of Ierusalem, and thine [Note: [d] In token of a speedy vengeance. ] arme shalbe vncouered, and thou shalt prophesie against it.

8 And beholde, I will lay [Note: [e] The people should so straitly be besieged, that they should not be able to turne them. ] bands vpon thee, and thou shalt not turne thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the dayes of thy siege.

9 Thou shalt take also vnto thee wheate, and barley, and beanes, and lentiles, and millet, [Note: [f] Meaning, that the famine should be so great, that they should be glad to eate whatsoeuer they coulde get. ] and fitches, and put them in one vessell, and make thee bread thereof according to the nomber of the dayes, that thou shalt sleepe vpon thy side: euen [Note: [g] Which were foureteene moneths that the citie was besieged and this was as many dayes as Israel sinned yeeres. ] three hundreth and ninetie dayes shalt thou eate thereof.

10 And the meate, whereof thou shalt eate, shalbe by weight, euen [Note: [h] Which make a pound. ] twenty shekels a day: and from time to time shalt thou eate thereof.

11 Thou shalt drinke also water by measure, euen the sixt part of [Note: [i] Reade Exod. 29.40. ] an Hin: from time to time shalt thou drinke.

12 And thou shalt eate it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it [Note: [k] Signifying hereby the great scarcitie of fuel, and matter to burne. ] in the dongue that commeth out of man, in their sight.

[The heare.]




13 And the Lord said, So shall the children of Israel eate their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will cast them.

14 Then said I, Ah, Lord God, beholde, my soule hath not bene polluted: for from my youth vp, euen vnto this houre, I haue not eaten of a thing dead, or torne in pieces, neither came there any [Note: [l] Much lesse such vile corruption. ] vncleane flesh in my mouth.

15 Then he said vnto me, Loe, I haue giuen thee bullockes [Note: [m] To be as fire to bake thy bread with. ] dongue for mans dongue, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.

16 Moreouer, he said vnto me, Sonne of man, beholde, I will breake [Note: [n] That is, the force and strength wherewith it should nourish, Isa.31. chap.5.17. and 14.13. ] the staffe of bread in Ierusalem, and they shall eate bread by weight, and with care, and they shal drinke water by measure, and with astonishment.

17 Because that bread and water shall faile, they shalbe astonied one with another, and shall consume away for their iniquitie.


CHAP. V.


The signe of the heares, whereby is signified the destruction of the people.

1 And thou sonne of man, take thee a sharpe knife, or take thee a barbours rasor & cause it [Note: [a] To shaue thine head & thy beard. ] to passe vpon thine head, and vpon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and deuide the heare.

2 Thou shalt burne with fire the thirde part in the middes of [Note: [b] To wit, of that city which he had pourtrayed vpon the bricke, Chap. 4.1. By the fire & pestilence he meaneth the famine, wherewith one part perished during the siege of Nebuchad-nezzar. By the sworde, those that were slaine when Zedekiah fled, and those that were caryed away captiue. And by the scattering into the winde those that fled into Egypt and into other partes after the citie was taken. ] the citie, when the dayes of the siege are fulfilled, and thou shalt take the other thirde part, and smite about it with a knife, and the last thirde part thou shalt scatter in the winde, and I will drawe out a sworde after them.

3 Thou shalt also take thereof a fewe in nomber, and binde them in thy [Note: [c] Meaning, that a very fewe should be left, which the Lord would preserue among all these stormes, but not without troubles, and triall. ] lappe.

4 Then take of them againe and cast them into the middes of the fire, and burne them in the fire: [Note: [d] Out of that fire which thou kindlest, shall a fire come, which shall signifie the destruction of Israel. ] for thereof shall a fire come foorth into all the house of Israel.

5 Thus saith the Lorde God, This is Ierusalem: I haue set it in the middes of the nations and countreyes, that are rounde about her.

6 And she hath changed my [Note: [e] My worde and lawe into idolatrie and superstitions. ] iudgements into wickednes more then the nations, and my statutes more then the countreis, that are round about her: for they haue refused my iudgemets & my statutes, & they haue not walked in them.

7 Therefore thus saith the Lorde God, Because your [Note: [f] Because your idoles are in greater nomber and your superstitions mo then among the professed idolaters, reade Isa.65.11: or he condemneth their ingratitude in respect of his benefites. ] multitude is greater then the nations that are rounde about you, and ye haue not walked in my statutes, neither haue ye kept my iudgements: no, ye haue not done according to the iudgements of the nations, that are rounde about you,

8 Therefore thus saith the Lorde God, Beholde, I, euen I come against thee, and will execute iudgement in the middes of thee, euen in the sight of the nations.

9 And I will doe in thee, that I neuer did before, neither will do any more the like, because of all thine abominations.

10 For in the middes of thee, the fathers [Note: Leuit.26.29. deut.28.53. 2.king.6.29. lament.4.10. baruch.2.3. ] shall eate their sonnes, and the sonnes shall eate their fathers, and I will execute iudgement in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the windes.

11 Wherefore, as I liue, saith the Lorde God, Surely because thou hast defiled my Sanctuarie with all thy filthinesse, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also destroy thee,

[Page 86]

[The arrowes of famine.]



neither shall mine eye spare thee, neither will I haue any pitie.
12 The third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they bee consumed in the middes of thee: and another third part shall fall by the sword round about thee: and I will scatter the last third part into all windes, and I will drawe out a sword after them.

13 Thus shall mine anger bee accomplished, and I will cause my wrath to cease in them, and I will be [Note: [g] That is, I will not be pacified, till I be reuenged, Isa.1.24. ] comforted: and they shal knowe, that I the Lord haue spoke it in my zeale, when I haue accomplished my wrath in them.

14 Moreouer, I will make thee waste, and abhorred among the nations, yt are round about thee, and in the sight of all that passe by.

15 So thou shalt bee a reproche and shame, a chastisement and an astonishment vnto the nations, that are rounde about thee, when I shall execute iudgements in thee, in anger and in wrath, and in sharpe rebukes: I the Lorde haue spoken it.

16 When I shall sende vpon them the [Note: Or, dangerous. ] euill [Note: [h] Which were the grashoppers, mildew, and whatsoeuer were occasions of famine. ] arrowes of famine, which shalbe for their destruction, and which I will sende to destroy you: and I will encrease the famine vpon you, and wil breake your staffe of bread.

17 [Note: Chap.14.13. ] So will I send vpon you famine, and euill beastes, and they shall spoyle thee, and pestilence and blood shall passe through thee, and I will bring the sworde vpon thee: I the Lorde haue spoken it.



CHAP. VI.


Hee sheweth that Ierusalem shalbe destroyed for their idolatrie. 8 Hee prophesieth the repentance of the remnant of the people, and their deliuerance.

1 Againe the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, Set thy face towardes the [Note: Chap.36.1. ] mountaines of Israel, and prophecie against them,

3 And say, Ye mountaines of Israel, heare the worde of the Lorde God: thus sayth the Lorde God to the [Note: [a] Hee speaketh to all the places where the Israelites accustomed to commit their idolatries, threatning them destruction. ] mountaines and to the hilles, to the riuers and to the valleis, Beholde, I, euen I will bring a sworde vpon you, and I will destroy your hie places:

4 And your altars shalbe desolate, and your images of the [Note: [b] Reade 2.King. 23.11. ] sunne shalbe broken: and I will cast downe your slaine men before your idoles.

5 And I will lay the dead carkeises of the children of Israel before their [Note: [c] In contempt of their power and force, which shall neither be able to deliuer you nor themselues, 2.King.23.20. ] idoles, and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.

6 In all your dwelling places the cities shalbe desolate, and the hie places shalbe laide waste, so that your altars shalbe made waste and desolate, and your idoles shalbe broken, and cease, & your images of the sunne shalbe cut in pieces, & your workes shalbe abolished.

7 And the slaine shall fall in the middes of you, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lorde.

8 Yet will I leaue a remnant, [Note: [d] He sheweth that in all dangers God wil preserue a few, which shall be as the seede of his Church & call vpon his Name. ] that you may haue some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when you shalbe scattred through the countreyes.

9 And they that escape of you, shall remember me among the nations, where they shalbe in captiuitie, because I am grieued for their whorish hearts, which haue departed from mee, and for their eyes, which haue gone a whoring after their

[Sword, famine, and pestilence.]



idoles, and they [Note: [e] They shall be ashamed to see that their hope in idoles was but vaine, and so shal repent. ] shalbe displeased in them selues for the euils, which they haue committed in all their abominations.

10 And they shall knowe that I am the Lord, and that I haue not saide in vaine, that I woulde doe this euill vnto them.

11 Thus saith the Lorde God, [Note: [f] By these signes he would that the Prophet should signifie the great destruction to come. ] Smite with thine hand, & stretch forth with thy foote, and say, Alas, for all the wicked abominations of the house of Israel: for they shall fall by the sworde, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

12 He that is farre off, shal dye of the pestilence, and he that is neere, shal fall by the sword, and hee that remaineth and is besieged, shal dye by the famine: thus will I accomplish my wrath vpon them.

13 Then [Note: [g] That is, all nations, when you shal see my iudgements. ] ye shall knowe, that I am ye Lorde, when their slaine men shalbe among their idoles round about their altars, vpon euerie hie hill in al the toppes of the mountaines, and vnder euery greene tree, and vnder euerie thicke oke, which is the place where they did offer sweete sauour to all their idoles.

14 So will I [Note: Chap.5.14. ] stretch mine hand vpon them, and make the lande waste, and desolate [Note: [h] Some reade, more desolate the the wildernesse of Diblath, which was in Syria, and bordered vpon Israel, or from the wildernesse, which was South vnto Diblath, which was north: meaning, the whole countrey. ] from the wildernes vnto Diblath in all their habitations, and they shall know, that I am the Lorde.


CHAP. VII.


The ende of all the land of Israel shall suddenly come.

1 Moreouer the word of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

2 Also thou sonne of man, thus saith the Lord God, An ende is come vnto the lande of Israel: the ende is come vpon the foure corners of the lande.

3 Nowe is the ende come vpon thee, and I wil sende my wrath vpon thee, and will iudge thee according to thy wayes, and will laye vpon thee all [Note: [a] I will punish thee as thou hast deserued for thine idolatrie. ] thine abominations.

4 Neither shall mine eye spare thee, neither will I haue pitie: but I will laye thy waies vpon thee: and thine abomination shall bee in the middes of thee, and yee shall knowe that I am the Lorde.

5 Thus saith the Lorde God, [Note: Or, beholde, euill commeth after euil. ] Beholde, one euil, euen one euill is come.

6 An ende is come, the end is come, it [Note: [b] Hee sheweth that the iudgements of god euer watch to destroy the sinners, which notwithstanding he delayeth till there be no more hope of repentace. ] watched for thee: beholde, it is come.

7 The [Note: [c] The beginning of his punishments is alreadie come. ] morning is come vnto thee, yt dwellest in the lande: the time is come, the day of trouble is neere, and not the [Note: [d] Which was a voyce of ioy, and mirth. ] sounding againe of the mountaines.

8 Now I will shortly powre out my wrath vpon thee, and fulfil mine anger vpon thee: I will iudge thee according to thy wayes, and will lay vpon thee all thine abominations.

9 Neither shall mine eie spare thee, neither will I haue pitie, but I will laye vpon thee according to thy wayes, and thine abominations shalbe in the middes of thee, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lorde that smiteth.

10 Beholde, the day, beholde, it is come: the morning is gone forth, the [Note: [e] The scourge is in a readinesse. ] rod florisheth: [Note: [f] That is, the proud tyrant Nebuchad nezzar hath gathered his force and is ready. ] pride hath budded.

11 [Note: [g] This cruel enemie shall bee a sharpe scourge for their wickednesse. ] Crueltie is risen vp into a rod of wickednes: none of them shal remaine, nor of their riches, nor of any of theirs, neither shall there bee [Note: [h] Their owne affliction shalbe so great that they shall haue no regard to lament for others. ] lamentation for them.

12 The time is come, the day draweth neere: let not the byer [Note: [i] For the present profite. ] reioyce, nor let him that selleth, [Page]

[Israel threatned.]



[Note: [k] For he shall lose nothing. ] mourne: for the wrath is vpon al the multitude thereof.

13 For hee that selleth, shall not [Note: [l] In the yere of the Iubile, meaning, that none should enioy the priuiledge of the lawe, Leuit.25. 13. for they should all be caryed away captiues. ] returne to that which is solde, although they were yet aliue: for the [Note: [m] This vision signified, that all should be caried away, and none should returne for the Iubile. ] vision was vnto al the multitude thereof, and they returned not, [Note: [n] No man for all this, indeuoreth himselfe or taketh heart to repent for his euill life. Some reade, for none shalbe strengthened in his iniquitie of his life: meaning, that they shoulde gayne nothing by flattering themselues in euil. ] neither doeth any encourage himselfe in the punishment of his life.

14 [Note: [o] The Israelites made a brag, but their hearts sayled them. ] They haue blowen the trumpet, and prepared all, but none goeth to the battel: for my wrath is vpon all the multitude thereof.

15 The sword is without, and the pestilence, and the famine within: he that is in the field, shall dye with the sword, and he that is in the citie, famine and pestilence shall deuoure him.

16 But they that flee away from them, shall escape, and shalbe in the mountaines, like the doues of the valleis: all they shall mourne, euery one for his iniquitie.

17 [Note: Isa.13.7. iere.6 24. ] All handes shalbe weake, and all knees shall fall away as water.

18 [Note: Isa.15.3. ier.48.37. ] They shall also girde them selues with sackecloth, and feare shall couer them, and shame shalbe vpon all faces, & baldnes vpon their heads.

19 They shall cast their siluer in the streetes, and their golde shalbe cast farre off: their [Note: Prou.11.4. zephan.1.18. eccle.5.8. ] siluer and their gold can not deliuer them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfie their soules, neither fill their bowels: for this ruine is for their iniquitie.

20 He had also set the beautie of his [Note: [p] Meaning, the Sanctuarie. ] ornament in maiestie: but they made images of their abominations, and of their idoles therein: therefore haue I set it farre from them.

21 And I will giue it into the handes of the [Note: [q] That is, of the Babylonians. ] strangers to be spoyled, and to the wicked of the earth to be robbed, and they shall pollute it.

22 My face will I turne also from them, and they shall pollute my [Note: [r] Which signifieth the most holy place, whereinto none might enter but the hie Priest. ] secret place: for the destroyers shall enter into it, and defile it.

23 ¶ Make a [Note: [s] Signifying, that they shoulde be bounde and led away captiues. ] chaine: for the lande is full of the [Note: [t] That is, of sinnes that deserue death. ] iudgement of blood, and the citie is full of crueltie.

24 Wherefore I will bring the most wicked of the heathen, and they shall possesse their houses: I will also make the pompe of the mightie to cease, and their [Note: [u] Which was the Temple, that was deuided into three partes, Psal.68.35. ] holie places shalbe defiled.

25 When destruction commeth, they shall seeke peace, and shall not haue it.

26 Calamitie shall come vpon calamitie, and rumour shall bee vpon rumour: then shall they seeke a vision of the Prophet: but the Lawe shal perish from the Priest, and counsel from the Ancient.

27 The King shall mourne, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the handes of the people in the land shall be troubled: I wil doe vnto them according to their waies, and according to their iudgements will I iudge them, and they shall knowe that I am the Lorde.


CHAP. VIII.


1 An appearance of the similitude of God. 3 Ezekiel is brought to Ierusalem in the spirit. 6 The Lorde sheweth the Prophet the idolatries of the house of Israel.

1 And in the [Note: [a] Of the captiuitie of Ieconiah. ] sixt yere, in the [Note: [b] Which conteined part of August, and part of September. ] sixt moneth, & in the fift day of the moneth, as I sate in mine house, and the Elders of Iudah sate before me, the hand of the Lord God fell there vpon me.

2 Then I beheld, and lo, there was a likenesse, as the appearance of [Note: [c] As Chap.1.27. ] fire, to looke to, from his loynes downeward, & from his loynes vpward, as

[Vile idolatrie.]



the appearance of brightnes, & like vnto amber.

3 And he stretched out the likenes of an had, and tooke me by an hearie locke of mine head, and the Spirit lift me vp betweene the earth, and the heauen, and brought mee [Note: Ebr. in the visions of God. ] by a Diuine [Note: [d] Meaning, that he was thus caried in spirit, and not in body. ] vision to Ierusalem, into the entry of ye inner [Note: [e] Which was the porch or the court where the people assembled. ] gate that lieth toward the North, where remained the idole of [Note: [f] So called because it prouoked Gods indignation, which was the idole of Baal. ] indignation, which prouoked indignation.

4 And beholde, the glorie of the God of Israel was there according to the vision, that I saw [Note: [g] Read Chap. 3. 22. ] in the fielde.

5 Then saide he vnto mee, Sonne of man, lift vp thine eyes nowe towarde the North. So I lift vp mine eyes towarde the North, and beholde, Northward, at the gate of the [Note: [h] That is, in the court where the people had made an altar to Baal. ] altar, this idole of indignation was in the entrie.

6 He said furthermore vnto me, Sonne of ma, seest thou not what they doe? euen the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here to cause me to depart from [Note: [i] For God will not be where idoles are. ] my Sanctuarie? but yet turne thee and thou shalt see greater abominations.

7 And he caused me to enter at the gate of the court: and when I looked, beholde, an hole was in the wall.

8 Then said he vnto me, Sonne of man, digge nowe in the wall. And when I had digged in the wall, beholde, there was a doore.

9 And he said vnto mee, Go in, and beholde the wicked abominations that they doe here.

10 So I went in, and sawe, and beholde, there was euery similitude of creeping thinges and [Note: [k] Which were forbidden in the Law, Leui.11.4. ] abominable beasts and all the idoles of the house of Israel painted vpon the wall round about.

11 And there stoode before them seuentie [Note: [l] Thus they that should haue kept all the rest in the feare, and true seruice of God, were the ring leaders to all abomination and by their example pulled others from God. ] men of the Ancients of the house of Israel, and in the middes of them stoode Iaazaniah, ye sonne of Shaphan, with euerie man his censour in his hand, and the vapour of the incense went vp like [Note: [m] It was in such abundance. ] a cloude.

12 Then saide hee vnto mee, Sonne of man, hast thou seene what the Ancients of the house of Israel [Note: [n] For besides their common idolatrie, they had particular seruice, which they had in secret chambers. ] do in the darke, euery one in the chamber of his imagerie? for they say, The Lorde seeth vs not, the Lord hath forsaken the earth.

13 Againe he saide also vnto me, Turne thee againe, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they doe.

14 And he caused me to enter into the entrie of the gate of the Lords house, which was toward the North: and beholde there sate women mourning for [Note: [o] The Iewes write that this was a Prophet of the idols, who after his death was once a yere mourned for in ye night. ] Tammuz.

15 Then saide hee vnto me, Hast thou seene this, O sonne of man? Turne thee againe, and thou shalt see greater abominations then these.

16 And he caused me to enter into the inner court of the Lordes house, and beholde, at the doore of the Temple of the Lord, betweene the porche and the altar were about fiue and twentie men with their backs toward the Temple of the Lord, and their faces towarde the East, and they worshipped the sunne, towarde the East.

17 The he said vnto me, Hast thou seene this, O sonne of man? Is it a small thing to the house of Iudah to commit these abominations which they do here? for they haue filled the land with crueltie, and haue returned to prouoke mee: and loe, they haue cast out [Note: [p] Declaring that the sensings, and seruice of the idolaters, are but infection & vileny before God. ] stinke before their noses.

18 Therefore will I also execute my wrath:

[Page 87]

[The marked.]



mine eye shall not spare them, neither will I haue pitie, and [Note: Prou.1.28. isa.46.7. ierem.11.11. mich.3.4. ] though they crie in mine eares with a loude voyce, yet will I not heare them.


CHAP. IX.


1 The destruction of the citie. 4 They that shalbe saued, are marked. 8 A complaint of the Prophet for the destruction of the people.

1 He cryed also with a loude voyce in mine eares, saying, The visitations of [Note: [a] The time to take vengeance. ] the citie draw neere, and euery man hath a weapon in his hande to destroy it.

2 And beholde, sixe [Note: [b] Which were Angels in the similitude of men. ] men came by the way of the hie gate, which lieth towarde the [Note: [c] Signifying, that the Babylonians should come from the North to destroy the citie and the Temple. ] North, and euery man a weapon in his hande to destroy it: and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writers [Note: [d] To marke them that shoulde be saued. ] ynkhorne by his side, and they went in and stoode beside the brasen altar.

3 And the glorie of the God of Israel was [Note: [e] Which declared, that he was not bound thereunto, neither would remaine any longer, then there was hope that they would returne from their wickednesse, and worship him aright. ] gone vp from ye Cherub, whereupo he was and stoode on the [Note: Or, thresholde. ] doore of the house, and he called to the man clothed with linnen, which had the writers ynkhorne by his side.

4 And the Lord said vnto him, Goe through the middes of the citie, euen through the middes of Ierusalem and [Note: Or, marke with Thau. ] set a marke vpon the foreheads of them that [Note: [f] He sheweth what is the maner of Gods children, whome he marketh to saluation: to wit, to mourne and crie out against the wickednesse, which they see committed against Gods glorie. ] mourne, and cry for all the abominations that be done in the middes thereof.

5 And to the other he said, that I might heare, Goe ye after him through the citie, and smite: let your eye spare none, neither haue pitie.

6 Destroy vtterly the old, and the yong, and the maides, and the children, and the women, but touch no man, vpon whome is the [Note: [g] Thus in all his plagues the Lorde preserueth his finall nomber, which he marketh, as Exod.12. 22. reuel.7.3. but the chiefe marke is the Spirit of adoption, wherewith the heart is sealed vp to life euerlasting. ] marke, and begin at my Sanctuarie. Then they began at the [Note: [h] Which were the chiefe occasion of all these euils, as Chap.8.11. ] Ancient men, which were before the house.

7 And he sayde vnto them, Defile the house, and fill the courtes with the slaine, then goe foorth: and they went out, and slewe them in the citie.

8 Nowe when they had slaine them, and I had escaped, I fell downe vpon my face, and cryed, saying, [Note: [i] This declareth, that the seruants of God haue a copassion, when they see his iudgements executed. ] Ah Lorde God, wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel, in powring out thy wrath vpon Ierusalem?

9 Then saide he vnto me, The iniquitie of the house of Israel, and Iudah is exceeding great, so that the lande is full [Note: [k] That is, with all kind of wickednesse, read Isa.1.15. ] of blood, and the citie full of corrupt iudgement: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, & the Lord seeth vs not.

10 As touching me also, mine eye shall not spare them, neither will I haue pitie, but will recompence their wayes vpon their heades.

11 And beholde, the man clothed with linen which had the ynkhorne by his side, made report, and saide, Lorde, I haue done as thou hast commanded me.


CHAP. X.


1 Of the man that tooke hote burning coales out of the middle of the wheeles of the Cherubims. 8 A rehearsall of the vision of the wheeles, of the beastes, and of the Cherubims.

1 And as I looked, beholde, in the [Note: Chap.1.22. ] firmament that was aboue the head of the [Note: [a] Which in the first Chap.ver.5. he called the foure beastes. ] Cherubims there appeared vpon them like vnto the similitude of a throne, as it were a saphir stone.

2 And he spake vnto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in betweene the wheeles, euen vnder the Cherub, & fill thine hands with coales of fire from betweene the Cherubims, & scatter the ouer [Note: [b] This signified, that the citie should be burnt. ] the citie. And he went in in my sight.

3 Now the Cherubims stood vpon the right

[The Cherubims and wheeles.]



side of the house, when the man went in, and the cloude filled the inner court.

4 Then the glorie of the Lorde [Note: [c] Meaning, that the glorie of God should depart from the Temple. ] went vp from the Cherub, and stoode ouer the doore of the house, & the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightnesse of the Lordes glorie.

5 And the [Note: [d] Reade Chap. 1.24. ] sound of the Cherubims wings was heard into the vtter court, as the voyce of the Almightie God, when he speaketh.

6 And when he had commaunded the man clothed with linnen, saying, Take fire from betweene the wheeles, & from betweene ye Cherubims, then he went in and stood beside ye wheele.

7 And one Cherub stretched forth his hand from betweene the Cherubims vnto the fire, that was betweene the Cherubims, and tooke thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linnen: who tooke it and went out.

8 And there appeared in the Cherubims, the likenesse of a mans hande vnder their wings.

9 And when I looked vp, beholde, foure wheeles were beside the Cherubims, one wheele by one Cherub, and another wheele by another Cherub, and the appearance of the wheeles was as the colour of a [Note: [e] Reade Chap. 1.16. ] Chrysolite stone.

10 And their appearance (for they were all foure of one facion) was as if one wheele had bene in another wheele.

11 When they went foorth, they went vpon their foure sides, and they returned not as they went: but to the place whither the first went, they went after it, and they [Note: [f] Vntill they had executed Gods iudgements. ] turned not as they went.

12 And their whole bodie, and their [Note: Or, trents. ] rings, and their hands, and their wings, & the wheeles were full of eyes round about, euen in the same foure wheeles.

13 And the Cherub cryed to these wheeles in mine hearing, saying, O wheele.

14 And euery beast had foure faces: the first face was the face of a Cherub, & the second face was the face of a man, and the thirde the face of a lyon, and the fourth the face of an Egle.

15 And the Cherubims were lifted vp: [Note: Chap.1.5. ] this is the beast that I sawe at the riuer Chebar.

16 And when ye Cherubims went, the wheeles went by them: and when the Cherubims lift vp their wings to mount vp from the earth, the same wheeles also turned not from beside them.

17 When the Cherubims stoode, they stood: & when they were lifted vp, they lifted the selues vp also: for the [Note: [g] There was one consent betweene the Cherubims and the wheeles. ] spirit of the beast was in them.

18 [Note: [h] Read Chap.9.3. ] Then the glorie of the Lorde departed from aboue the doore of the house, and stoode vpon the Cherubims.

19 And the Cherubims lift vp their wings, and mounted vp from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheeles also were besides them: and euery one stoode at the entrie of the gate of the Lordes House at the East side, and the glorie of the God of Israel was vpo them on hie.

20 [Note: Chap.1.15. ] This is the [Note: [i] That is, the whole body of the foure beastes or Cherubims. ] beast that I sawe vnder the God of Israel by the riuer Chebar, and I knewe that they were the Cherubims.

21 Euery one had foure faces, and euery one foure wings, and the likenesse of mans hands was vnder their wings.

22 And the likenes of their faces was the selfe same faces, which I sawe by the riuer Chebar, [Page]

[The mockers punished.]



and the appearance of the Cherubims was ye selfe same, and they went euery one straight forwarde.


CHAP. XI.


2 Who they were that seduced the people of Israel. 5 Against these he prophecieth, shewing them howe they shall be dispersed abroade. 19 The renewing of the heart commeth of God. 21 He threatneth them that leane vnto their owne counsels.

1 Moreouer, the Spirite lift me vp, and brought me vnto the East gate of the Lordes house, which lyeth Eastwarde, and beholde, at the entrie of the gate were fiue and twentie men: among whome I sawe Iaazaniah the sonne of Azur, and Pelatiah the sonne of Benaiah, the princes of the people.

2 Then said he vnto me, Sonne of man, these are the men that imagine mischiefe, and deuise wicked counsell in this citie.

3 For they say, [Note: [a] Thus the wicked derided the Prophets, as though they preached but errors, and therefore gaue themselues still to their pleasures. ] It is not neere, let vs builde houses: this citie is the [Note: [b] We shall not be pulled out of Ierusalem, till the houre of our death come, as the flesh is not taken out of the caldron till it be sod. ] caldron, and wee be the flesh.

4 Therefore prophesie against them, sonne of man, prophesie.

5 And the Spirite of the Lord fell vpon me, and said vnto me, Speake, Thus saith the Lorde, O ye house of Israel, this haue ye said, and I know that which riseth vp of your mindes.

6 Many haue ye murthered in this citie, and ye haue filled the streets thereof with the slaine.

7 Therefore thus saith the Lorde God, They that ye haue slaine, and haue layed in the middes of it, they are [Note: [c] Contrary to their vaine confidence he sheweth in what sense this citie is the caldron, that is, because of the dead bodies that haue bene murthered therein, and so lie as flesh in the caldron. ] the flesh, and this citie is the caldron, but I wil bring you foorth of the mids of it.

8 Ye haue feared the sworde, and I wil bring a sworde vpon you, saith the Lorde God.

9 And I will bring you out of the middes thereof, and deliuer you into [Note: [d] That is, of the Caldeans. ] the hands of strangers, and will execute iudgements among you.

10 Ye shall fall by the sworde, and I wil iudge you in the border of [Note: [e] That is, in Riblah reade 2.king. 25.6. ] Israel, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lorde.

11 This citie shall not be your caldron, neyther shall ye be the flesh in the middes thereof, but I will iudge you in the border of Israel.

12 And ye shall knowe that I am the Lorde: for ye haue not walked in my statutes, neither executed my iudgements, but haue done after the maners of the heathen, that are round about you.

13 ¶ And when I prophesied, Pelatiah the sonne of [Note: [f] It seemeth that this noble man died of some terrible death, and therefore the Prophet feared some strange iudgement of God towarde the rest of the people. ] Benaiah dyed: then fell I downe vpon my face, and cryed with a loude voyce, and saide, Ah Lorde God, wilt thou then vtterly destroy all the remnant of Israel?

14 Againe the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

15 Sonne of man, thy [Note: [g] They that remained still at Ierusalem thus reproched them that were gone into captiuitie, as though they were cast off and forsaken of God. ] brethren, euen thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, & all the house of Israel, wholy are they vnto whome the inhabitants of Ierusalem haue said, Depart ye farre from the Lord: for the lande is giuen vs in possession.

16 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lorde God, Although I haue cast them farre off among the heathen, and although I haue scattered them among the countreis, yet wil I be to them as a litle [Note: [h] They shalbe yet a litle Church: shewing that the Lorde will euer haue some to cal vpon his Name, whome he will preserue and restore, though they be for a time afflicted. ] Sanctuarie in ye countreis where they shal come.

17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God, I will gather you againe from the people, and assemble you out of the countreis where ye haue bene scattered, & I will giue you ye land of Israel.

18 And they shall come thither, and they shal take away all the idoles thereof, and all the abominations

[An heart of flesh.]



thereof from thence.

19 [Note: Ierem.32.39. chap.36.26. ] And I will giue them one heart, and I will put a newe spirit within their bowels: and I will take the [Note: [i] Meaning, the heart whereunto nothing can enter, and regenerate them anewe, so that their heart may be soft and ready to receiue my graces. ] stonie heart out of their bodies, and will giue them an heart of flesh,

20 That they may walke in my statutes, and keepe my iudgements, and execute them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

21 But vpon them, whose heart is towarde their idoles, and whose affection goeth after their abominations, I will lay their way vpon their owne heades, saith the Lorde God.

22 ¶ Then did the Cherubims lift vp their wings, and the wheeles besides them, and the glorie of the God of Israel was vpon them on hie.

23 And the glorie of the Lord went vp from the middes of the citie, & stoode vpon the moutaine which is towarde the East side of the citie.

24 Afterwarde the Spirite tooke me vp, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Caldea to them that were led away captiues: so the vision that I had seene, went vp from me.

25 Then I declared vnto them that were [Note: [k] When Ieconiah was led away captiue. ] led away captiues, all the things that the Lorde had shewed me.


CHAP. XII.


1 The parable of the captiuitie. 18 Another parable whereby the distresse of hunger and thirst is signified.

1 The worde of the Lorde also came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, thou dwellest in the middes of a rebellious house, which haue eyes to see, and see [Note: [a] That is, they receiue not the fruite of that which they see and heare. ] not: they haue eares to heare, and heare not: for they are a rebellious house.

3 Therefore thou sonne of man, [Note: Ebr. make thee vessels to goe into captiuitie. ] prepare thy stuffe to goe into captiuitie, and goe foorth by day in their sight: and thou shalt passe from thy place to another place in their sight, if it be possible that they may consider it: for they are a rebellious house.

4 Then shalt thou bring foorth thy stuffe by day in their sight as the stuffe of him that goeth into captiuitie: and thou shalt go forth at euen in their sight, as they that go foorth into captiuitie.

5 Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and cary out thereby.

6 In their sight shalt thou beare it vpon thy shoulders, and carie it foorth in the darke: thou shalt couer thy face that thou see not the earth: for I haue set thee as a [Note: [b] That as thou doest, so shall they doe, and therefore in thee they shall see their owne plague and punishment. ] signe vnto the house of Israel.

7 And as I was commaunded, so I brought forth my stuffe by day, as ye stuffe of one yt goeth into captiuitie: and by night I digged through the wall with mine hand, & brought it forth in ye darke, & I bare it vpo my shoulder in their sight.

8 And in the morning came the word of the Lord vnto me, saying,

9 Sonne of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, sayde vnto thee, What [Note: [c] Doe not they deride thy doings? ] doest thou?

10 But say thou vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God, This [Note: Or, prophesie. ] burden concerneth the chiefe in Ierusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them.

11 Say, I am your signe: like as I haue done, so shall it be done vnto them: they shall goe into bondage and captiuitie.

12 And the chiefest that is among them, shall beare vpon his shoulder in the darke, and shall

[Page 88]

[The litle nomber.]



goe forth: they shall digge through the wall, to cary out thereby: he shall couer his face, that he see not the ground with his eies.
13 My net also will I spread vpon [Note: [d] When the king shal thinke to escape by fleeing, I will take him in my net; as Chap. 17 20. & 32.3. ] him, and he shall be taken in my net, and I will bring him to Babel to the lande of the Caldeans, yet shall he not see it, though he shall dye there.

14 And I will scatter toward euerie winde all that are about him to helpe him, and all his garisons, and I will drawe out the sworde after them.

15 And they shall knowe that I am the Lord, when I shall scatter them among the nations, & disperse them in the countreis.

16 But I will leaue a [Note: [e] Which should beare his Name, and should be his Church, reade Chap.11.16. ] litle nomber of them from the sworde, from the famine, and from the pestilence, that they may declare all these abominations among the heathen, where they come, and they shall knowe, that I am the Lorde.

17 ¶ Moreouer, the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

18 Sonne of man, eate thy bread with trembling and drinke thy water with trouble, & with carefulnesse,

19 And say vnto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lorde God of the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and of the lande of Israel, They shall eate their bread with carefulnes, and drinke their water with desolation: for the lande shall bee desolate from her abundance because of the crueltie of them that dwell therein.

20 And the cities that are inhabited, shal be left voyde, and the land shall be desolate, and yee shall knowe that I am the Lorde.

21 ¶ And the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

22 Sonne of man, what is that prouerbe that you haue in the land of Israel, saying, The dayes [Note: [f] Because they did not immediatly see the prophecies accomplished, they contemned them as though they should neuer bee fulfilled. ] are prolonged and all visions [Note: Or take none effect. ] faile?

23 Tell them therefore, Thus sayeth the Lord God, I wil make this prouerbe to cease, and they shall no more vse it as a prouerbe in Israel: but say vnto them, The daies are at hand and the effect of euery vision.

24 For no vision shall be any more in vaine, neither shall there bee any flattering diuination within the house of Israel.

25 For I am the Lorde: I wil speake, and that thing that I shall speake, shall come to passe: it shall be no more prolonged: for in your dayes, O rebellious house, will I saye the thing, and will performe it, sayeth the Lord God.

26 Againe the word of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

27 Sonne of man, beholde, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that hee seeth, is for [Note: [g] That is, it shall not come to passe in our daies, and therefore we care not for it: thus the wicked euer abuse Gods pacience & benignitie. ] many dayes to come, and he prophecieth of the times that are farre off.

28 Therefore say vnto them, Thus sayth the Lorde God, All my wordes shall no longer be delayed, but that thing which I haue spoken, shall be done, saith the Lord God.



CHAP. XIII.


2 The word of the Lorde against false prophets, which teach the people the counsels of their owne hearts.

1 And ye word of ye Lord came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, prophecie against the prophets of [Note: Chap.14.9. ] Israel, that prophecie, and say thou vnto them, that prophecie out of their [Note: [a] After their owne fantasie, and not as hauing the reuelation of the Lord, Iere. 23.16. ] owne hearts, Heare the worde of the Lorde.

3 Thus sayth the Lorde God, Woe vnto the

[Vntempered morter.]



foolish Prophets that followe their owne spirit, and haue seene nothing.

4 O Israel, thy Prophets are like the foxes [Note: [b] Watching to destroy the vineyarde. ] in the waste places.

5 [Note: [c] He speaketh to the gouernours & true ministers that should haue resisted them. ] Ye haue not risen vp in the gappes, neither made vp the hedge for ye house of Israel, to stand in the battel in the daye of the Lorde.

6 They haue seene vanitie, and lying diuination, saying, The Lord sayth it, and the Lorde hath not sent them: & they haue made others to hope yt they would cofirme the word of their prophecie.

7 Haue ye not seene a vaine vision? and haue yee not spoken a lying diuination? [Note: [d] Ye promised peace to this people and now ye see their destruction, so that it is manifest, that yee are false prophets. ] ye say, The Lorde sayth it, albeit I haue not spoken.

8 Therefore thus sayth the Lorde God, Because ye haue spoken vanytie & haue seene lyes, therefore beholde, I am agaynst you, sayth the Lorde God,

9 And mine hande shalbe vpon the Prophets that see vanity, and diuine lies: they shall not be in the assemblie of my people, neither shall they be written in the [Note: [e] That is, in the booke of lyfe, wherein the true Israelites are written. ] writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel: & yee shall know that I am the Lord God.

10 And therefore, because they haue deceiued my people, saying, [Note: [f] Read. Iere.6.14. ] Peace, & there was no peace: and one buylt vp a [Note: [g] Whereas the true Prophets prophesied the destruction of the citie to bring the people to repentance, the false prophets spake the contrary & flattered them in their vanities, so that what one false prophet sayde, (which is here called ye building of the wall) an other false prophet would affirme, though he had neither occasion nor good ground to beare him. ] wall, and behold, the others daubed it with vntempered morter,

11 Say vnto them which daube it with vntempered morter, that it shall fall: for there shall come a great showre, and I wil sende haylestones, which shall cause it to fall, and a stormie winde shall breake it.

12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not bee sayd vnto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye haue daubed it?

13 Therefore thus sayth the Lord God, I will cause a stormie winde to breake foorth in my wrath, & a great showre shall bee in mine anger, & hailestones in mine indignation to consume it.

14 So I wil destroy the wall that ye haue daubed with vntempered morter, and bring it downe to the ground, so that the fundation thereof shalbe discouered, and it shall fal, and ye shalbe consumed in the middes thereof, and ye shall know, that I am the Lord.

15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath vpon the wall, and vpon them that haue daubed it with [Note: [h] Whereby is ment whatsoeuer man of him selfe setteth forth vnder the autoritie of Gods word. ] vntempered morter, and will say vnto you, The wall is no more, neither the daubers thereof,

16 To wit, the Prophets of Israel, which prophesie vpon Ierusalem, and see visions of peace for it, and there is no peace, sayth the Lord God.

17 Likewise thou sonne of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesie out of their owne heart: and prophesie thou against them, and say,

18 Thus sayth the Lorde God, Woe vnto the women that sowe [Note: [i] These superstitious women for lucre would prophecie and tell euery man his fortune, giuing them pillowes to leane vpon & kerchiefs to couer theyr heads to the intent they might the more allure them and bewitch them. ] pillowes vnder al arme holes, and make vailes vpon the head of euery one that standeth vp, to hunt soules: will yee hunt ye soules of my people, and will yee giue life to the soules that come vnto you?

19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of [Note: [k] Will yee make my word to serue your bellies? ] barly, and for pieces of bread to slay the soules of them that shoulde not dye, and [Note: [l] These sorcerers made the people beleeue that they could preserue life or destroy it, and that it should come to euery one according as they prophecied. ] to giue life to the soules that should not liue in lying to my people, that heare your lies?

20 Wherefore thus saith the Lorde God, Behold, I will haue to do with your pillowes, wherewith [Page]

[Idolaters threatned.]



yee hunt the [Note: [m] That is, to cause them to perish, and that they should depart from the bodie. ] soules to make them to flie, and I will teare them from your armes, and will let the soules goe, euen the soules, that ye hunt to make them to flie.

21 Your vailes also will I teare, and deliuer my people out of your hande, and they shalbe no more in your hands to be hunted, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lorde.

22 Because with your lyes yee haue made the heart of the [Note: [n] By threatning them that were godly, and vpholding the wicked. ] righteous sadde, whome I haue not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not returne from his wicked way, by promising him life,

23 Therefore ye shal see no more vanitie, nor diuine diuinatios: for I wil deliuer my people out of your hand, & ye shall know that I am ye Lord.


CHAP. XIIII.


4 The Lorde sendeth false Prophets for the ingratitude of the people. 22 He reserueth a small portion for his Church.

1 Then came certaine of the Elders of Israel vnto me, and [Note: [a] He sheweth the hypocrisie of the idolaters, who wil dissemble to heare the Prophets of God, though in their heart they followe nothing lesse then their admonitions, and also how by one meanes or other, God doeth discouer them. ] sate before me.

2 And the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

3 Sonne of man, these men haue set vp their idoles in their [Note: [b] They are not only idolaters in heart, but also worship their filthy idoles openly, which lead them in blindenes, and cause them to stumble, and cast them out of Gods fauour, so that he will not heare them when they call vnto him, reade Iere 10.15. ] heart, and put the stumbling blocke of their iniquitie before their face: should I, being required, answere them?

4 Therefore speake vnto them, and say vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God, Euery man of the house of Israel that setteth vp his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling blocke of his iniquitie before his face, and commeth to the [Note: [c] To inquire of things which the Lorde hath appointed to come to passe. ] Prophet, I the Lorde will answere him yt commeth, according to the multitude [Note: [d] As his abomination hath deserued: that is, hee shall be ledde with lyes according as he delited therin, 2.Thes.2.10. ] of his idoles:

5 That [Note: [e] That is, conuince them by their owne conscience. ] I may take the house of Israel in their owne heart, because they are all departed from me through their idoles.

6 Therfore say vnto the house of Israel, Thus sayth the Lord God, Returne, and withdraw your selues, and turne your faces from your idoles, and turne your faces from all your abominations.

7 For euery one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that soiourneth in Israel, which departeth from mee, and setteth vp his idoles in his heart, and putteth the stumbling blocke of his iniquitie before his face, and commeth to a Prophet, for to inquire of him for me, I the Lord will answere him [Note: Or, by my selfe. ] for my selfe,

8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him an example and prouerbe, and I will cut him off from the middes of my people, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lorde.

9 And if the Prophet be [Note: [f] The Prophet declareth that God for mans ingratitude raiseth vp false Prophets to seduce them that delite in lies rather then in the trueth of God, and thus he punisheth sinne by sinne, 1.King 22 20,22. and destroyeth aswell those Prophets as that people. ] deceiued, when hee hath spoken a thing, I the Lorde haue deceiued that Prophet, and I will stretch out mine hande vpon him, and will destroy him from the middes of my people of Israel.

10 And they shall beare their punishment: the punishment of the Prophet shall bee euen as the punishment of him that asketh,

11 That the house of [Note: [g] Thus Gods iudgements against the wicked, are admonitions to the godly to cleaue vnto the Lorde, and not to defile themselues with like abominations. ] Israel may go no more astray from mee, neither bee polluted any more with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, sayth the Lorde God.

12 ¶ The worde of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

13 Sonne of man, when ye land sinneth against

[Noah, Daniel, and Iob.]



me by committing a trespasse, then will I stretch out mine hand vpon it, [Note: [h] Read Chap.4. 16. and 5.17. Isa. 3 1. ] & will breake the staffe of the bread thereof, and will send famine vpon it, and I will destroy man and beast forth of it.

14 Though these three men [Note: [i] Though Noah & Iob were nowe aliue, which in their time were most godly men (for at this time Daniel was in captiuitie with Ezekiel) and so these three together should pray for this wicked people, yet would I not heare them, read Iere.15.1. ] Noah, Daniel, and Iob were among them, they shoulde deliuer but their owne soules by their [Note: [k] Meaning that a very fewe (which he calleth the remnant, vers.22.) should escape these plagues, whom God hath sanctified and made righteous, so that this righteousnes is a signe that they are the church of God, whome hee would preserue for his owne sake. ] righteousnes, saith the Lorde God.

15 If I bring noysome beastes into the lande and they spoyle it, so that it bee desolate, that no man may passe through, because of beastes,

16 Though these three men were in the mids thereof, As I liue, sayth the Lord God, they shall saue neither sonnes nor daughters: they onely shalbe deliuered, but the land shall be waste.

17 Or if I bring a sworde vpon this land, and say, Sword, go through the land, so that I destroy man and beast out of it,

18 Though these three men were in the mids thereof, As I liue, sayth the Lorde God, they shal deliuer neither sonnes nor daughters, but they onely shall be deliuered themselues.

19 Or if I send a pestilence into this land, and powre out my wrath vpon it in blood, to destroy out of it man and beast,

20 And though Noah, Daniel and Iob were in the middes of it, As I liue, sayth the Lorde God, they shal deliuer neither sonne nor daughter: they shall but deliuer their owne soules by their righteousnes.

21 For thus saith the Lord God, Howe much more when I sende my [Note: Chap.5.17. ] foure sore iudgements vpon Ierusalem, euen the sworde, and famine, and the noysome beast & pestilence, to destroy man and beast out of it?

22 Yet beholde, therein shalbe left a [Note: [l] Read Chap.5.3. ] remnant of them that shalbe caryed away both sonnes and daughters: behold, they shal come forth vnto you, and ye shal see their way, and their enterprises: and ye shall be comforted, concerning the euill that I haue brought vpon Ierusalem, euen concerning al that I haue brought vpon it.

23 And they shal comfort you, when yee see their way and their enterprises: & ye shal know, that I haue not done without cause all that I haue done in it, saith the Lorde God.


CHAP. XV.


As the vnprofitable wood of the vine tree is cast into the fire, so Ierusalem shalbe burnt.

1 And ye word of ye Lord came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, what commeth of the vine tree aboue all other trees? and of the vine braunch, which is among the [Note: [a] Which bringeth foorth no fruite, no more then the other trees of the forest doe: meaning that if Ierusalem, which bare the name of his Church, did not bring forth fruite, it should be vtterly destroyed. ] trees of ye forest?

3 Shall wood bee taken thereof to doe any worke? or wil men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?

4 Behold, it is cast in the fire to be consumed: the fire consumeth both the endes of it, and the middes of it is burnt. Is it meete for any worke?

5 Behold, when it was whole, it was meete for no worke: how much lesse shall it bee meete for any worke, when the fire hath consumed it, and it is burnt?

6 Therefore thus sayth the Lorde God, As the vine tree, that is among the trees of the forest, which I haue giuen to the fire to be consumed, so will I giue the inhabitants of Ierusalem.

7 And I will set my face against them: they shall go out from one [Note: [b] Though they escape one danger, yet another shall take them. ] fire, and another fire shall consume them: and ye shall know, that I am the

[Page 89]

[The birth of Ierusalem: Her wickednes and idolatrie.]



Lord, when I set my face against them,
8 And when I make the lande waste, because they haue greatly offended, saith the Lord God.



CHAP. XVI.


The Prophet declareth the benefites of God towarde Ierusalem. 15 Their vnkindenesse. 46 Hee iustifieth the wickednesse of other people in comparison of the sinnes of Ierusalem. 49 The cause of the abominations, into which the Sodomites fell. 60 Mercie is promised to the repentant.

1 Againe, the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, cause Ierusalem to knowe her abominations,

3 And say, Thus saith the Lord God vnto Ierusalem, Thine habitation and thy kindred is of the land [Note: [a] Thou boastest to be of the seede of Abraham, but thou art degenerate and followest the abominations of the wicked Canaanites, as children do the maners of their fathers, Isa. 1.4. and 57.3. ] of Canaan: thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite.

4 And in thy natiuitie whe thou wast [Note: [b] When I first brought thee out of Egypt, and planted thee in this lande to be my Church. ] borne, thy nauell was not cut: thou wast not washed in water to soften thee: thou wast not salted with salt, nor swadled in cloutes.

5 None eye pitied thee to do any of these vnto thee, for to haue compassion vpon thee, but thou wast cast out in the open fielde to the contempt of thy person in ye day that thou wast borne.

6 And when I passed by thee, I saw thee polluted in thine [Note: [c] Being thus in thy filthines and forsaken of all men, I tooke thee & gaue thee life: whereby is ment that before God wash his Church, and giue life, there is nothing but filthines and death. ] owne blood, and I said vnto thee, whe thou wast in thy blood, Thou shalt liue: euen when thou wast in thy blood, I saide vnto thee, Thou shalt liue.

7 I haue caused thee to multiplie as the bud of the fielde, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou hast gotten excellent ornaments: thy breastes are facioned, thine heare is growen, where as thou wast naked and bare.

8 Nowe when I passed by thee, and looked vpon thee, beholde, thy time was as the time of loue, and I spred my skirtes ouer thee, and couered [Note: [d] These words, as blood, pollution, nakednes & filthines are ofttimes repeated, to beate downe their pride, and to cause them to consider what they were before God receiued them to mercy, sauoured them and couered their shame. ] thy filthines: yea, I sware vnto thee, and entred into a couenant with [Note: [e] That thou shouldest be a chaste wife vnto me, and that I should maintaine thee & endue theewith al graces. ] thee, saith the Lorde God, and thou becamest mine.

9 Then washed I thee with [Note: [f] I washed away thy sinnes. ] water: yea, I washed away thy blood from thee, and I [Note: [g] I sanctified thee with mine holy Spirit. ] anointed thee with oyle.

10 I clothed thee also wt broydred worke, and shod thee with badgers skin: and I girded thee about with fine linen, & I couered thee with silke.

11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets vpon thine handes, and a chaine on thy necke.

12 And I put a frontlet vpon thy face, and earings in thine eares, and a beautifull [Note: [h] Hereby he sheweth how he saued his Church, enriched it, and gaue it power and dominion to reigne. ] crowne vpon thine head.

13 Thus wast thou deckt with gold and siluer, and thy rayment was of fine linen, and silke, and broydred worke: thou didest eate fine floure, and honie and oyle, and thou wast very beautifull, and thou didest grow vp into a kingdome.

14 And thy name was spred among the heathen for thy beautie: for it was perfite through my [Note: [i] Hee declareth wherein the dignitie of Ierusalem stoode: to wit, in that that the Lord gaue them of his beautie and excellencie. ] beautie which I had set vpon thee, saith the Lord God.

15 Nowe thou didest [Note: [k] In abusing my giftes and in putting thy confidece in thine owne wisdome and dignitie, which were the occasions of thine idolatrie. ] trust in thine owne beautie, and playedst the harlot, because of thy renowme, and hast powred out [Note: [l] There was none idolatry so vile wherewith thou didest not pollute thy selfe. ] thy fornications on euery one that passed by, thy desire was to him.

16 And thou didest take thy garments, & deckedst thine hie places with diuers colours, [Note: [m] This declareth how the idolaters put their chiefe delite in those things, which please the eyes and outward senses. ] and playedst the harlot thereupon: the like thinges

[Her wickednes and idolatrie.]



shall not come, neither hath any done so.

17 Thou hast also taken thy faire iewels made of my golde and of my siluer, which I had giuen thee, and [Note: [n] Thou hast conuerted my vessels and instruments, which I gaue thee to serue me with, to the vse of thine idoles. ] madest to thy selfe images of men, and didest commit whoredome with them,

18 And tookest thy broydred garments, and coueredst them: and thou hast set mine oyle and my perfume before them.

19 My meate also, which I gaue thee, as fine floure, oyle, and honie, wherewith I fedde thee, thou hast euen set it before them for a sweete sauour: thus it was, saith the Lord God.

20 Moreouer thou hast taken thy sonnes and thy daughters, whome thou hast borne vnto me, and these hast thou sacrificed vnto them, to [Note: [o] Meaning, by fire, reade Leuit.18.21. 2.King.23.10. ] be deuoured: is this thy whoredome a small matter?

21 That thou hast slaine my children, and deliuered them to cause them to passe through fire for them?

22 And in all thine abominations and whoredomes thou hast not remembred the dayes of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood.

23 And beside all thy wickednes (wo, wo vnto thee, saith the Lord God)

24 Thou hast also built vnto thee an hie place, and hast made thee an hie place in euery streete.

25 Thou hast built thine hie place at euery [Note: Or, head. ] corner of the way, and hast made thy beautie to be abhorred: thou hast opened thy feete to euery one that passed by, & multiplied thy whoredome.

26 Thou hast also committed fornication with the [Note: [p] He noteth the great impietie of this people, who first falling from God to seeke helpe at strange nations, did also at length embrace their idolatrie, thinking thereby to make their amitie more strong. ] Egyptians thy neighbours, which haue great members, and hast encreased thy whoredome, to prouoke me.

27 Beholde, therefore I did stretche out mine hand ouer thee, and will diminish thine ordinarie, and deliuer thee vnto the will of them that hate thee, euen to the [Note: Or, cities. ] daughters of the Philistims, which are ashamed of thy wicked way.

28 Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast insaciable: yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.

29 Thou hast moreouer multiplied thy fornication from the land of Canaan vnto Caldea, and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.

30 Howe weake is thine heart, saith the Lorde God, seeing thou doest all these thinges, euen the worke of a [Note: Or, that will beare rule. ] presumptuous whorish woman?

31 In that thou buildest thine hie place in the corner of euery way, and makest thine hie place in euery streete, and hast not bene as an harlot [Note: [q] Meaning, that some harlots contemne small rewards, but no louers gaue a reward to Israel, but they gaue to all others: signifying, that the idolaters bestowe all their substance, which they receiue of God for his glorie, to serue their vile abominations. ] that despiseth a reward,

32 But as a wife that playeth the harlot, and taketh others for her husband:

33 They giue giftes to all other whores, but thou giuest giftes vnto all thy louers, and rewardest them, that they may come vnto thee on euery side for thy fornication.

34 And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy fornications, neither the like fornication shall be after thee: for in that thou giuest a rewarde, and no reward is giuen vnto thee, therefore thou art contrary.

35 Wherefore, O harlot, heare the worde of the Lord.

36 Thus sayeth the Lorde God, Because thy [Note: Or, nether partes. ] shame was powred out, and thy filthinesse discouered through thy fornications with thy louers, [Page]

[The iudgement of Ierusalem.]



and with all the idoles of thine abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didest offer vnto them,

37 Beholde, therefore I wil gather all [Note: [r] Egyptians, Assyrians and Caldeans, whome thou tookest to be thy louers, shall come and destroy thee, Chap. 23.9. ] thy louers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loued, with al them that thou hast hated: I will euen gather them round about against thee, and will discouer thy filthines vnto them, that they may see all thy filthines.

38 And I wil iudge thee after ye maner of them that are [Note: [s] I will iudge thee to death, as the adulterers and murtherers. ] harlots, and of them that shead blood, and I wil giue thee the blood of wrath & ielousie.

39 I will also giue thee into their handes, and they shal destroy thine hie place, and shall breake downe thine hie places. they shall strippe thee also out of thy clothes, and shall take thy faire iewels, and leaue thee naked and bare.

40 They shall also bring vp a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swordes.

41 And they [Note: 2.King.25.9. ] shall burne vp thine houses with fire, and execute iudgements vpon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou shalt giue no reward any more.

42 So will I make my wrath towarde thee to rest, and my [Note: [t] I will vtterly destroye thee, and so my ielousie shall cease. ] ielousie shall depart from thee, and I will cease and be no more angrie.

43 Because thou hast not remembred the dayes of thy youth, but hast prouoked me with all these things, behold, therefore I also haue [Note: [u] I haue punished thy faultes, but thou wouldest not repent. ] brought thy way vpon thine head, sayeth the Lorde God: yet hast not thou had consideration of all thine abominations.

44 Beholde, all that vse prouerbes, shall vse this prouerbe against thee, saying, As is the mother, [Note: [x] As were the Canaanites, and the Hittites & others your predecessours, so are you their successours. ] so is her daughter.

45 Thou art thy mothers daughter, that hath cast off her husband and her children, and thou art the sister of thy [Note: [y] That is, of Samaria, and Sodom. ] sisters, which forsooke their husbandes and their children: your mother is an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.

46 And thine elder sister is Samaria, and her [Note: [z] That is, her cities. ] daughters, that dwell at thy left hand, and [Note: Ebr. thy sister yonger then thou. ] thy yong sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom, and her daughters.

47 Yet hast thou [Note: [a] But done farre worse. ] not walked after their wayes, nor done after their abominations: but as it had bene a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more then they in all thy wayes.

48 As I liue, saith the Lorde God, Sodom thy sister hath not done, neither shee nor her daughters, as thou hast done and thy daughters.

49 Beholde, this was the iniquitie of thy sister Sodom, [Note: [b] He alledgeth these foure vices, pride, excesse, idlenesse and cotempt of the poore, as foure principall causes of such abomination, wherefore they were so horribly punished, Gene.19.24. ] Pride, fulnesse of bread, and aboundance of idlenesse was in her, and in her daughters: neither did shee strengthen the hande of the poore and needie.

50 But they were hautie, and committed abomination before mee: therefore I tooke them away, as pleased me.

51 Neither [Note: [c] Which worshipped the calues in Beth-el and Dan. ] hath Samaria committed halfe of thy sinnes, but thou hast exceeded them in thine abominations, and hast [Note: [d] Thou art so wicked, that in respect of thee, Sodom and Samaria were iust. ] iustified thy sisters in all thine abominations, which thou hast done.

52 Therefore thou which hast iustified thy sisters, beare thine owne shame for thy sinnes, that thou hast committed more abominable then they which are more righteous then thou art: be thou therefore confounded also, and beare thy shame,

[Gods mercie. The two Egles.]



seeing that thou hast iustified thy sisters.

53 Therefore I will bring againe [Note: [e] This he speaketh in comparison, saying, that he would restore Ierusalem whe Sodom should be restored, that is, neuer: and this is ment of the greatest part of the Iewes. ] their captiuitie with the captiuitie of Sodom, and her daughters, and with the captiuitie of Samaria, and her daughters: euen the captiuitie of thy captiues in the middes of them,

54 That thou mayest beare thine owne shame, and mayest bee confounded in all that thou hast done, in that thou hast [Note: [f] In that thou hast shewed thy selfe worse then they, and yet thoughtest to escape punishment. ] comforted them.

55 And thy sister Sodom and her daughters shall returne to their former state: Samaria also and her daughters shall returne to their former state, [Note: [g] Meaning, that it should neuer come to passe. ] when thou and thy daughters shall returne to your former state.

56 For thy sister Sodom [Note: Ebr. was not a rumour in thy mouth. ] was not heard of [Note: [h] Thou wouldest not cal her punishment to minde when thou wast aloft, to learne by her example to feare my iudgements. ] by thy report in the day of thy pride,

57 Before thy wickednes was [Note: [i] That is, till thou wast brought vnder by the Syrians and Philistims, 2. Chron.28.19. ] discouered, as in that same time of the reproch of the daughters of Aram, and of all the daughters of the Philistims round about [Note: [k] Which ioyned with the Syrians, or compassed about Ierusalem. ] her which despise thee on all sides.

58 Thou hast borne therefore thy wickednesse and thine abomination, saith the Lord.

59 For thus saith the Lord God, I might euen deale with thee, as thou hast done: when thou didest despise the [Note: [l] When thou brakest the couenant, which was made betwene thee and me, as verse 8. ] othe, in breaking the couenant.

60 Neuerthelesse, I wil [Note: [m] That is, of mercie and loue I will pitie thee, and so stand to my couenant, though thou hast deserued the contrary. ] remember my couenant made with thee in ye dayes of thy youth, and I wil confirme vnto thee an euerlasting couenant.

61 Then thou shalt remember thy wayes, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receiue [Note: [n] Whereby he sheweth that among the most wicked he had euer some seede of his Church which hee would cause to fructifie in due time: and here he declareth howe hee will call the Gentiles. ] thy sisters, both thy elder & thy yonger, and I will giue them vnto thee for daughters, but not [Note: [o] But of my free mercie. ] by thy couenat.

62 And I wil establish my couenant with thee, and thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord,

63 That thou mayest remember, and be [Note: [p] This declareth what fruites Gods mercies worke in his, to wit, sorow, and repentance for their former life. ] ashamed, & neuer open thy mouth any more: because of thy shame when I am pacified toward thee, for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.


CHAP. XVII.


The parable of the two Egles.

1 And the worde of the Lorde came vnto mee, saying,

2 Sonne of man, put foorth a parable and speake a prouerbe vnto the house of Israel,

3 And say, Thus saith the Lorde God, The great [Note: [a] That is, Nebuchad-nezzar, who hath great power, riches, and many countreys vnder him, shall come to Ierusale and take away Ieconiah the King, as vers.12. ] egle with great wings, and long wings, and ful of fethers, which had diuers colours, came vnto Lebanon, & tooke the hiest branch of the cedar,

4 And brake off the toppe of his twigge, and caried it into the land [Note: [b] Meaning, to Babylon. ] of marchants, and set it in a citie of marchants.

5 Hee tooke also of the [Note: [c] That is, Zedekiah, who was of the Kings blood, and was left at Ierusale, and made King in stead of Ieconiah, 2.King 24.17. iere. 37.1. ] seede of the lande, and planted it in a fruitfull ground: hee placed it by great waters, and set it as a willowe tree.

6 And it budded vp, and was [Note: [d] This was Zedekiahs kingdome. ] like a spreading vine of [Note: [e] That is, might not haue power to rebel against Babylon, as vers.14. ] low stature, whose branches turned toward it, and the rootes thereof were vnder it: so it became a vine, and it brought foorth branches, and shot foorth buds.

7 There was also [Note: [f] Meaning, the King of Egypt, of whome Zedekiah sought succour against Nebuchad-nezzar. ] another great egle with great wings and many feathers, and beholde, this vine did turne her rootes toward it, & spred foorth her branches toward it, that she might water it by the trenches of her plantation.

8 It was planted in a good soyle by great [Note: [g] They thought to be moistned by the waters of Nilus. ] waters, that it should bring forth branches, and

[Page 90]

[Periurie and infidelitie punished.]



beare fruite, and be an excellent vine.
9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord God, Shall it prosper? shall [Note: [h] Shall not Nebuchad-nezzar destroy it. ] he not pull vp the rootes thereof, and destroy the fruite thereof, and cause them to drie? all the leaues of her bud shall wither without great power, or many people, to plucke it vp by the rootes thereof.

10 Beholde, it was planted: but shal it prosper? shall it not be dried vp, and wither? [Note: [i] By this drie winde, he meaneth the Babylonians. ] when the East winde shall touch it, it shall wither in the trenches, where it grewe.

11 Moreouer, the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

12 Say now to this rebellious house, Know ye not, what these things meane? tell them, Behold, the King of Babel is come to Ierusalem, and hath taken [Note: [k] That is, Ieconiah, 2.King.24.15. ] the King thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babel,

13 And hath taken one of the Kings seede, and made a couenant with him, & hath taken [Note: [l] For his subiection and obedience. ] an othe of him: he hath also taken the princes of the land,

14 That the kingdome might be in subiection, and not lift it selfe vp, but keepe their couenant, and stand to it.

15 But he rebelled against him, and sent his ambassadours into Egypt, that they might giue him horses, and much people: shall hee prosper? shall he escape, that doeth such things? or shal he breake the couenant, and be deliuered?

16 As I liue, saith the Lord God, he shall die in the middes of Babel, in the place of the King, that had made him King, whose othe he despised, and whose couenant made with him, he brake.

17 Neither shall Pharaoh with his mightie hoste, and great multitude of people, mainteine him in the warre, when they haue cast vp mounts, and builded ramparts to destroy many persons.

18 For he hath despised the othe, and broken ye couenant (yet lo, he had giuen [Note: [m] Because hee tooke the Name of God in vaine, and brake his othe which he had confirmed by giuing his hand, therefore the Prophet declareth that God would not suffer such periurie and infidelitie to escape punishmet. ] his hand) because he hath done all these things, he shall not escape.

19 Therefore, thus sayth the Lord God, As I liue, I wil surely bring mine othe that he hath despised, and my couenant that he hath broken vpon his owne head.

20 [Note: Chap.12.13. and 32.3. ] And I wil spread my net vpon him, & he shalbe taken in my net, & I wil bring him to Babel, and will enter into iudgement with him there for his trespas that he hath committed against me.

21 And all that flee from him with all his hoste, shal fall by the sword, & they that remaine, shalbe scattered towarde all the windes: and ye shall know that I the Lord haue spoken it.

22 Thus saith the Lorde God, I wil also take off the top [Note: [n] This promes is made to ye Church which shalbe as a smal remnant, & as the top of a tree. ] of this hie cedar, and wil set it, and cut off the [Note: [o] I will trimme it and dresse it. ] top of the tender plant thereof, and I wil plant it vpon an hie mountaine and great.

23 Euen in the hie mountaine of Israel will I plant it: and it shal bring forth boughes & beare fruite, and be an excellent cedar, and vnder it shal remaine all birds, and euery [Note: [p] Both the Iewes & Gentiles shalbe gathered into it. ] foule shall dwell in the shadow of the branches thereof.

24 And all the [Note: [q] All the worlde shal know that I haue pluct downe the proude enemies & set vp my Church which was lowe and contemned. ] trees of the fielde shal knowe that I the Lord haue brought downe the hie tree, and exalted the lowe tree, that I haue dried vp the greene tree, and made the drie tree to florish: I the Lord haue spoken it, and haue done it.



CHAP. XVIII.


2 He sheweth that euery man shall beare his owne sinne. 21 To him that amendeth, is saluatio promised. 24 Death is prophecied to the righteous, which turneth backe fro the right way.

[Euery one shal beare his owne sinne.]




1 The worde of the Lord came vnto me againe, saying,

2 What meane ye that ye speake this prouerbe, concerning the land of Israel, saying, [Note: [a] The people murmured at the chastisings of the Lord, & therefore vsed this prouerbe meaning that their fathers had sinned and their children were punished for their transgressions, reade Iere. 31.29. ] The fathers haue eaten sowre grapes, and the childrens teeth are set on edge?

3 As I liue, sayth the Lord God, ye shall vse this prouerbe no more in Israel.

4 Beholde, all soules are mine, both the soule of the father, and also the soule of the sonne are mine: the soule that sinneth, it shall die.

5 But if a man be iust, and doe that which is lawfull, and right,

6 And hath not eaten [Note: [b] If he hath not eaten of the flesh that hath bene offred vp to idols, to honour them thereby. ] vpon the mountaines, neither hath lift vp his eyes to the idoles of the house of Israel, neither hath [Note: Leuit.18.20. ] defiled his neighbours wife, neither hath [Note: Ebr. come neere. ] lyen with a [Note: Leuit.20.18. ] menstruous woman,

7 Neither hath oppressed any, but hath restored the pledge to his dettour: he that hath spoyled none by violence, [Note: Isa.58.7. matt. 25.35. ] but hath giuen his bread to the hungry, and hath couered the naked with a garment,

8 And hath not giuen foorth vpon [Note: Exod.22.25 leuit.25.37. deut.23.19. psal.15.5. ] vsurie, neither hath taken any increase, but hath withdrawen his hand from iniquitie, and hath executed true iudgement betweene man and man,

9 And hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my iudgements to deale truely, he is iust, he shall surely liue, sayth the Lord God.

10 ¶ If he beget a sonne, that is [Note: Or, a cruell man. ] a thiefe, or a sheader of blood, if he do any one of these things,

11 Though he doe not all these things, but either hath eaten vpon the mountaines, or defiled his neighbours wife,

12 Or hath oppressed the poore and needy, or hath spoyled by violence, or hath not restored the pledge, or hath lift vp his eyes vnto the idoles, or hath committed abomination,

13 Or hath giuen forth vpon vsurie, or hath taken increase, shal he liue? he shal not liue: seeing he hath done all these abominations, [Note: [c] Hee sheweth how the sonne is punished for his fathers fault: that is, If he be wicked as his father was, and doeth not repent, he shalbe punished as his father was, or els not. ] he shal die the death, and his blood shall be vpon him.

14 ¶ But if he beget a sonne, that seeth all his fathers sinnes, which he hath done, and feareth, neither doeth such like,

15 That hath not eaten vpon the mountaines, neither hath lift vp his eyes to the idols of ye house of Israel, nor hath defiled his neighbours wife,

16 Neither hath oppressed any, nor hath withholden the pledge, neither hath spoyled by violence, but hath giuen his bread to the hungry, and hath couered the naked with a garment,

17 Neither hath withdrawen his hand from the afflicted, nor receiued vsurie nor increase, but hath executed my iudgements, and hath walked in my statutes, he shall not die in the iniquitie of his father, but he shal surely liue.

18 His father, because he cruelly oppressed and spoyled his brother by violence, and hath not done good among his people, loe, euen he dyeth in his iniquitie.

19 Yet say ye, Wherefore shall not the sonne beare the iniquitie of the father? because ye sonne hath executed iudgement & iustice, and hath kept all my statutes, and done them, he shal surely liue,

20 [Note: Deut.24.16. 2.king.14.6. 2.chro.25.4. ] The same soule that sinneth, shal die: the sonne shall not beare the iniquitie of the father, neither shall the father beare the iniquitie of the sonne, but the righteousnes of the righteous shall [Page]

[A newe heart.]



be vpon him, and the wickednesse of the wicked shall be vpon him selfe.

21 But if the wicked will returne from all his sinnes that he hath committed, and keepe all my [Note: [d] He ioyneth the obseruation of the commandements with repentance: for none can repent in deede except he labour to keepe the Law. ] statutes, and doe that which is lawfull & right, he shall surely liue, and shall not die.

22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shal not be [Note: Or, not layde to his charge. ] mentioned vnto him, but in his [Note: [e] That is, in the fruites of his faith which declare that God doeth accept him. ] righteousnes that he hath done, he shall liue.

23 [Note: [f] Hee speaketh this to commend Gods mercy to poore sinners, who rather is ready to pardon, then to punish, as his long suffring declareth, Chap.33.11. Albeit God in his eternall counsell appointed the death and damnation of the reprobate, yet the end of his counsell was not their death only, but chiefly his owne glory. And also because he doeth not approoue sinne, therefore it is here said that he would haue the to turne away from it that they might liue. ] Haue I any desire that the wicked should die, sayth the Lord God? [Note: Or, rather that he may returne from his wayes and liue. ] or shall he not liue, if he returne from his wayes?

24 But if the righteous turne away from his righteousnes, & commit iniquitie, and doe according to all the abominations, that the wicked man doeth, shall he liue? all his [Note: [g] That is, the false opinion that the hypocrites haue of their righteousnes. ] righteousnes that he hath done, shall not be mentioned: but in his transgression that he hath committed, and in his sinne that he hath sinned, in them shal he die.

25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lorde is not [Note: [h] In punishing the father with the children. ] equall: heare now, O house of Israel. Is not my way equall? or are not your wayes vnequall?

26 For when a righteous man turneth away from his righteousnes, and committeth iniquitie, he shall euen die for the same, he shal euen die for his iniquitie, that he hath done.

27 Againe when the wicked turneth away from his wickednes that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawfull and right, he shal saue his soule aliue.

28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that hee hath committed, he shall surely liue and shall not die.

29 Yet saith ye house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equall. O house of Israel, are not my wayes equall? or are not your wayes vnequall?

30 Therefore I will iudge you, O house of Israel, euery one according to his wayes, sayth the Lord God: returne therefore and cause others to turne away from all your transgressions: so iniquitie shall not be your destruction.

31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye haue transgressed, and make [Note: [i] He sheweth that man can not forsake his wickednes till his heart be changed, which is only the worke of God. ] you a newe heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

32 For I desire not the death of him that dyeth, sayth the Lord God: cause therefore one another to returne, and liue ye.


CHAP. XIX.


1 The captiuitie of the Kings of Iudah signified by the lions whelps, and by the lion. 10 The prosperitie of the citie of Ierusalem that is past, and the miserie thereof that is present.

1 Thou also, take vp a lamentation for the [Note: [a] That is, Iehohaz and Iehoiakim Iosiahs sonnes, who for their pride and crueltie are compared vnto lyons. ] princes of Israel,

2 And say, Wherefore lay thy [Note: [b] To wit, Iehohaz mother, or Ierusalem. ] mother as a lyonesse among the lyons? she nourished her yong ones among the lyons whelps,

3 And she brought vp one of her whelps, and it became a lyon, and it learned to catch the praye, and it deuoured men.

4 The [Note: [c] By Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, 2.King.23.33. ] nations also heard of him, and he was taken in their nets, and they brought him in chaines vnto the land of Egypt.

5 Nowe when she sawe, that she had waited and her hope was lost, she tooke another of her [Note: [d] Which was Tehoiakim. ] whelps, and made him a lyon.

6 Which went among the lyons, and became a lyon, and learned to catch the praye, and he deuoured [Note: [e] He slew of the Prophets, & them that feared God, and rauished their wiues. ] men.

7 And he knew their widowes, & he destroyed

[The wicked not heard.]



their cities, and the land was wasted, and all that was therein by the noyse of his roaring.

8 Then the [Note: [f] Nebuchad-nezzar with his great armie which was gathered of diuers nations. ] nations set against him on euery side of the countreys, and laide their nets for him: so he was taken in their pit.

9 And they put him in prison and in chaines, and brought him to the King of Babel, and they put him in holdes, that his voyce should no more be heard vpon the mountaines of Israel.

10 Thy [Note: [g] Hee speaketh this in the reproch of this wicked King, in whose blood, that is, in the race of his prodecessours, Ierusalem should haue bene blessed, according to Gods promes, and florished as a fruitfull vine. ] mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she brought foorth fruite and branches by the abundant waters,

11 And she had strong rods for the scepters of them that beare rule, and her stature was exalted among the branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.

12 But she was plucked vp in wrath: she was cast downe to the ground, & the [Note: [h] Meaning, that the Caldeans should destroy them as the East winde doeth the fruite of the vine. ] East winde dried vp her fruite: her branches were broken, & withered: as for the rod of her strength, the fire consumed it.

13 And now she is planted in the wildernes in a drie and thirstie ground.

14 And fire is gone out [Note: [i] Dectruction is come by Zedekiah who was the occasion of this rebellion. ] of a rod of her branches, which hath deuoured her fruite, so that she hath no strong rod to be a scepter to rule: this is a lamentation and shalbe for a lamentation.


CHAP. XX.


3 The Lord denieth that he wil answere them when they pray, because of their vnkindnes. 33 He promiseth that his people shall returne from captiuitie. 46 By the forest that should be burnt, is signified the burning of Ierusalem.

1 And in the [Note: [a] Of the captiuitie of Ieconiah. ] seuenth yeere, in the fift moneth, the tenth day of the moneth, came certaine of the elders of Israel to enquire of the Lord, and sate before me.

2 Then came the worde of the Lorde vnto me, saying,

3 Sonne of man, speake vnto the Elders of Israel, and say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Are ye come to enquire of me? as I liue, sayth the Lord God, when I am asked, I wil not answer you.

4 Wilt thou iudge them, sonne of man? wilt thou iudge them? cause [Note: [b] This declareth the great lenitie and patience of God, which calleth sinners to repentance before hee condemne them. ] them to vnderstand the abominations of their fathers,

5 And say vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God, In the day when I chose Israel, and [Note: [c] I sware that I would be their God. which maner of othe was obserued from all antiquitie, where they vsed to lift vp their hands toward the heauen, acknowledging God to be the authour of trueth, & the defender thereof, & also the iudge of the heart, wishing that he should take vengeance, if they concealed any thing which they knew to be trueth. ] lift vp mine hand vnto the seede of the house of Iaakob, and made my selfe knowen vnto them in the land of Egypt, when I lift vp mine hand vnto them, and sayd, I am the Lord your God,

6 In the day yt I lift vp mine hand vnto them to bring them forth of the land of Egypt, into a land that I had prouided for them, flowing with milke & hony which is pleasant among all lands,

7 Then sayd I vnto them, Let euery man cast away the abominations of his eyes, [Note: [d] God had forbidden them to make mention of the idols, Exod.23.13. Psal.16.4. ] and defile not your selues with the idols of Egypt: for I am the Lord your God.

8 But they rebelled against me, & would not heare me: for none cast away the abominations of [Note: [e] Which thing declareth the wickednes of mans heart which iudge Gods seruice by their eyes and outward senses. ] their eyes, neither did they forsake the idoles of Egypt: then I thought to powre out mine indignation vpon them, & to accomplish my wrath against them in the mids of the land of Egypt.

9 But I had respect to my [Note: [f] God had euer this respect to his glory: yt he would not haue his Name euil spoken of among the Gentiles for the punishmet that his people deserued, in confidence whereof the godly euer prayed, as Exo. 32.12. Nom. 14.13. ] Name, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whome they were, & in whose sight I made my selfe knowen vnto them in bringing them forth of the land of Egypt.


[Page 91]

[Gods mercies.]




10 Nowe I caried them out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wildernes.

11 And I gaue them my statutes, and declared my iudgements vnto them, [Note: Leuit.18.5. rom. 10.5. galat.3.12. ] which if a man doe, he shall liue in them.

12 Moreouer I gaue them also my [Note: Exod.20.8. and 31.13. deut. 5.12. ] Sabbaths to be a signe betwene me & them, that they might knowe that I am the Lord, that sanctifie them.

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wildernes: they walked not in my statutes, and they cast away my iudgements, which if a man doe, he shall liue in them, and my Sabbaths haue they greatly polluted: then I thought to powre out mine indignation vpon them [Note: Nomb.14.28,29. and 266.5. ] in the wildernes to consume them,

14 But I had respect to [Note: [g] Who might thereby take an occasio to blaspheme my Name and to accuse me of lacke of abilitie, or else that I had sought a meanes to destroy them more commodiously. ] my Name, that it shoulde not bee polluted before the heathen in whose sight I brought them out.

15 Yet neuerthelesse, I lift vp mine hande vnto them in the wildernes that I would not bring them into the lande, which I had giuen them, flowing with milke and hony, which was pleasant aboue all landes,

16 Because they cast away my iudgments, and walked not in my statutes, but haue polluted my [Note: [h] That is, my true religion, which I had commaunded them and gaue themselues to serue me according to their owne fantasies. ] Sabbaths: for their heart went after their idoles.

17 Neuerthelesse, mine eye spared them, that I would not destroye them, neither would I consume them in the wildernes.

18 But I said vnto their children in the wildernes, Walke ye not in the ordinances of your [Note: [i] Whereby the holy Ghost confuteth them that say that they wil followe the religion and example of their fathers, and not measure their doings by Gods worde, whether they be approueable thereby or no. ] fathers, neither obserue their maners, nor defile your selues with their idoles.

19 I am the Lord your God: walke in my statutes, and keepe my iudgements and doe them,

20 And sanctifie my Sabbaths, and they shall bee a signe betweene mee and you, that ye may knowe that I am the Lord your God.

21 Notwithstanding the children rebelled against mee: they walked not in my statutes, nor kept my iudgements to doe them, which if a man doe, hee shall liue in them, but they polluted my Sabbaths: then I thought to powre out mine indignation vpo them, and to accomplish my wrath against them in the wildernes.

22 Neuerthelesse I withdrew mine hand & had respect to my Name that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them foorth.

23 Yet I lift vp mine hande vnto them in the wildernes, that I would scatter them among the heathen, & disperse them through the countreys,

24 Because they had not executed my iudgements, but had cast away my statutes and had polluted my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after [Note: [k] Meaning, that they set their delite vpon them. ] their fathers idoles.

25 Wherefore I [Note: [l] Because they would not obey my lawes, I gaue them vp to themselues, that they should obey their owne fantasies, as verse 39.Rom.1. 21,24. ] gaue them also statutes that were not good, and iudgements, wherein they should not liue.

26 And I polluted them in their owne [Note: [m] I condemned those things, and counted them as abominable which they thought had bene excellent, and to haue declared most zeale, Luke 16.15. for that which God required as most excellent, that gaue they to their idoles. ] giftes in that they caused to passe by the fire all that first openeth ye wombe, that I might destroy them, to the ende, that they might know that I am ye Lord.

27 Therefore, sonne of man, speake vnto the house of Israel, and say vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God, Yet in this your fathers haue blasphemed me, though they had before grieuously transgressed against me.

28 [Note: [n] Not onely in the wildernes, whe I brought them out of Egypt, but since I placed them in this land: which declareth how prompt mans heart is to idolatry, seeing that by no admonitions he can be drawen backe. ] For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted vp mine hand to giue

[Threatnings pronounced.]



it to them, then they saw euery hie hill, and all the thicke trees, and they offred there their sacrifices, and there they presented their offering of prouocation: there also they made their sweete sauour, and powred out there their drinke offerings.

29 Then I saide vnto them, What is the hie place whereunto ye goe? And the name thereof was called [Note: [o] Which signifieth an hie place, declaring that they vauted themselues of their idolatry, and were not ashamed therof, though God had commanded them expresly, that they should haue no altar lifted vp on hie by staires, Exo.20.26. ] Bamah vnto this day.

30 Wherefore, say vnto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God, Are ye not polluted [Note: Ebr. in the way. ] after the maner of your fathers? and commit ye not whoredome after their abominations?

31 For when you offer your giftes, and make your sonnes to passe through the fire, you pollute your selues with all your idoles vnto this day: shal I answere you when I am asked, O house of Israel? As I liue, saith the Lord God, [Note: [p] He sheweth, that the ingratitude of the people deserueth, that God should cut them off and that they should not haue the comfort of his worde. ] I wil not answere you when I am asked.

32 Neither shall that be done that commeth into your minde: for ye say, We wil be as the heathen, and as the families of the countreys, and serue wood, and [Note: [q] Hee declareth that man of nature is wholy enemie vnto God and to his owne saluation, and therefore God calleth him to the right way, partly by chastising, but chiefly by his mercie in forgiuing his rebellio, and wickednes. ] stone.

33 As I liue, saith the Lorde God, I will surely rule you with a mightie hand, and with a stretched out arme, and in my wrath powred out,

34 And will bring you from the people, and will gather you out of the countreys, wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arme, and in my wrath powred out,

35 And I will bring you into the [Note: [r] I will bring you among strange nations as into a wildernes, and there will visite you, and so call you to repentance and then bring the godly home againe, Isa. 65.9. ] wildernes of the people, and there wil I pleade with you face to face.

36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wildernes of the lande of Egypt, so will I pleade with you, saith the Lord God.

37 And I wil cause you to passe vnder the rod, and wil bring you into the bond of the couenant.

38 And I wil [Note: [s] Signifying that he will not burne the corne with the chaffe, but chuse out the wicked to punish them when he will spare his. ] chuse out from among you the rebels, and them that transgresse against mee: I will bring them out of the land where they dwel, and they shall not enter into the lande of Israel, and you shall knowe that I am the Lord.

39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lorde God, [Note: [t] This is spoken to the hypocrites. ] Goe you, and serue euery one his idole, seeing that ye will not obey me, and pollute mine holy Name no more with your giftes and with your idoles.

40 For in mine holy mountaine, euen in the hie mountaine of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, and all in the lande, serue me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offrings and the first fruites of your oblations, with all your holy things.

41 I will accept your sweete sauour, when I bring you from the people, and gather you out of the countreys, wherein ye haue bene scattered, that I may be sanctified in you before ye heathen.

42 And ye shall knowe, that I am the Lorde, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the land, for the which I lifted vp mine hande to giue it to your fathers.

43 And there shall ye remember your wayes, and all your workes, wherein ye haue bene defiled, and ye [Note: [u] Your owne consciences shall conuict you after that you haue felt my mercies. ] shall iudge your selues worthy to be cut off, for all your euils, that ye haue committed.

44 And ye shall knowe, that I am the Lorde, when I haue respect vnto you for my Names sake, and not after your wicked wayes, nor according to your corrupt workes, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord God.
[Page]

[The sworde drawen.]




45 ¶ Moreouer, the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

46 Sonne of man, set thy face toward the way of Teman, and drop thy word toward [Note: [x] For Iudah stood South from Babylon. ] the South, and prophecie towarde the forest of the fielde of the South,

47 And say to the forest of the South, Heare the worde of the Lord: thus saith the Lord God, Beholde, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall deuoure all the [Note: [y] Both strong and weake in Ierusalem. ] greene wood in thee, and all the drie wood: the continuall flame shall not bee quenched, and euery face from the South to the North shall be burnt therein.

48 And all flesh shall see, that I the Lord haue kindled it, and it shall not bee quenched. Then saide I, Ah Lord God, they say of me, Doeth not he speake [Note: [z] The people said, that the Prophet spake darkely: therefore he desireth the Lord to giue them a plaine declaration hereof. ] parables?


CHAP. XXI.


3 He threatneth the sworde, and destruction to Ierusalem. 25 He sheweth the fall of King Zedekiah. 28 He is commaunded to prophecie the destruction of the children of Ammon. 30 The Lord threatneth to destroy Nebuchad-nezzar.

1 The word of ye Lord came to me againe, saying,

2 Sonne of man, set thy face toward Ierusalem, [Note: [a] Speake sensibly, that all may vnderstand. ] and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophecie against the land of Israel.

3 And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the Lord, Beholde, I come against thee, and will drawe my sword out of his sheath, and cut off from thee both the [Note: [b] That is, such which seeme to haue an outwarde shewe of righteousnes, by obseruation of the ceremonies of the Lawe. ] righteous and the wicked.

4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee both the righteous and wicked, therefore shall my sworde goe out of his sheath against all flesh from the South to the [Note: [c] Meaning, thorowe all the land. ] North,

5 That all flesh may knowe that I the Lorde haue drawen my sworde out of his sheath, and it shall not returne any more.

6 Mourne therefore, thou sonne of man, as in the paine of thy [Note: [d] As though thou were in extreme anguish. ] reines, and mourne bitterly before them.

7 And if they say vnto thee, Wherefore mournest thou? then answere, Because [Note: [e] Because of the great noyse of the armie of the Caldeans. ] of the bruite: for it commeth, and euery heart shall melt, and all handes shall be weake, and all mindes shall faint, and all knees shall fall away as water: beholde, it commeth, and shall be done, saith the Lord God.

8 ¶ Againe, the word of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

9 Sonne of man, prophecie, and say, Thus saith the Lorde God, say, A sworde, a sworde both sharpe, and fourbished.

10 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter, and it is fourbished that it may [Note: [f] And so cause a feare. ] glitter: how shall we reioyce? for it contemneth the [Note: [g] Meaning, the scepter: shewing, that it will not spare the king who should be as the sonne of God, and in his place. ] rod of my sonne, as [Note: [h] That is, the rest of the people. ] all other trees.

11 And he hath giuen it to be fourbished, that he may handle it: this sword is sharpe, & is fourbished, that he may giue it into ye hand of the [Note: [i] To wit, vnto the armie of the Caldeans. ] slayer.

12 Cry, and houle, sonne of man: for this shall come to my people, and it shal come vnto all the princes of Israel: the terrours of the sword shall be vpon my people: [Note: [k] Reade Ier. 31.19. ] smite therefore vpo thy thigh.

13 For it is a triall, [Note: [l] Ezekiel mooued with compassion, thus complaineth fearing the destruction of the kingdome, which God had confirmed to Dauid, and his posteritie by promes: which promes God performed, although here it seemeth to mans eye that it should vtterly perish. ] and what shall this be, if the sworde contemne euen the rodde? It shall be no more, saith the Lord God.

14 Thou therefore, sonne of man, prophecie, and smite [Note: [m] That is, encourage the sword. ] hand to hand, and let the sworde be doubled: let the sworde that hath killed, returne the third time: it is the sword of the great slaughter entring into their priuie chambers.

[The diademe taken away.]




15 I haue brought the feare of the sword into all their gates to make their heart to faint, and to multiplie their ruines. Ah it is made bright, and it is dressed for the slaughter.

16 Get thee [Note: [n] Prouide for thy selfe: for thou shalt see Gods plague of all partes on this countrey. ] alone: goe to the right hande, or get thy selfe to the left hande, whithersoeuer thy face turneth.

17 I wil also smite mine hands together, & wil cause my wrath to cease. I the Lord haue said it.

18 ¶ The worde of the Lorde came vnto mee againe, saying,

19 Also thou sonne of man, appoint thee [Note: [o] This was spoken, because that when Nebuchad-nezzar came against Iudah, his purpose was also to goe against the Ammonites: but doubting in the way, which enterprise to vndertake first, he consulted with his southsayers, and so went against Iudah. ] two wayes, that the sworde of the King of Babel may come: both twaine shall come out of one lande, and chuse a place, and chuse it in the corner of the way of the citie.

20 Appoint a way, that the sworde may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and [Note: [p] That is, to the tribe of Iudah that kept themselues in Ierusalem. ] to Iudah in Ierusalem the strong citie.

21 And the King of Babel stoode at the [Note: [q] To knowe whether he should goe against the Ammonites or them of Ierusalem. ] parting of the way, at the head of the two wayes, consulting by diuination, and made his arrowes bright: hee consulted with idoles, and looked in [Note: [r] He vsed coniuring and sorcerie. ] the liuer.

22 At his right hand was the diuination for Ierusalem to appoint captaines, to open their mouth in the slaughter, and to lift vp their voyce with shouting, to laye engines of warre against the gates, to cast a mount, and to builde a fortresse.

23 And it shalbe vnto them [Note: [s] Because there was a league betweene the Iewes, and the Babylonians, they of Ierusalem shal thinke nothing lesse the that this thing should come to passe. ] as a false diuination in their sight for the othes made vnto them: [Note: [t] That is, Nebuchad-nezzar will remeber the rebellion of Zedekiah, and so come vpon them. ] but hee will call to remembrance their iniquitie, to the intent they should be taken.

24 Therefore thus sayeth the Lorde God, Because ye haue made your iniquitie to bee remembred, in discouering your rebellion, that in al your workes your sinnes might appeare: because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.

25 And thou [Note: [u] Meaning, Zedekiah, who practised with the Egyptias to make himselfe hie, and able to resist the Babylonias. ] prince of Israel polluted, and wicked, whose day is come, when iniquitie shall haue an ende,

26 Thus saith the Lord God, I will take away the [Note: [x] Some referre this to the Priestes attire: for Iehosadek the Priest went into captiuitie with the King. ] diademe, and take off the crowne: this shalbe no more the same: I wil exalt the humble, and will abase him that is hie.

27 I wil ouerturne, ouerturne, ouerturne it, and it shall be no more vntill he [Note: [y] That is, vnto the comming of Messiah: for though the Iewes had some signe of gouernement afterwarde vnder the Persians, Greekes and Romanes, yet this restitution was not till Christes comming, and at length should be accoplished, as was promised, Gen 49.10. ] come, whose right it is, and I will giue it him.

28 ¶ And thou, sonne of man, prophecie, and say, Thus saith the Lorde God to the children of Ammon, and to their blasphemie: say thou, I say, The sword, the sword is drawen foorth, and fourbished to the slaughter, to consume, because of the glittering:

29 Whiles they see [Note: [z] Though the Iewes and Ammonites would not beleeue, that thou, to wit, the sword, shouldest come vpon them, and saide that the Prophetes, which threatned, spake lyes, yet thou shalt as surely come, as thogh thou werest already vpon their neckes, ] vanitie vnto thee, & prophecied a lie vnto thee to bring thee vpon the neckes of the wicked that are slaine, whose day is come when their iniquitie shall haue an ende.

30 Shall I cause it to returne into his sheath? I will iudge thee in the place where thou wast created, euen in the land of thine habitation.

31 And I wil powre out mine indignation vpon thee, and will blowe against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliuer thee into the hand of beastly men, and skilfull to destroy.

32 Thou shalt bee in the fire to be deuoured: thy blood shall be in the middes of the lande, and thou shalt be no more remembred: for I the Lord haue spoken it.


[Page 92]

[Israel as drosse.]





CHAP. XXII.


1 Ierusalem is reprooued for crueltie. 25 Of the wicked doctrine of the false prophets and Priests, and of their vnsatiable couetousneße. 27 The tyrannie of rulers. 29 The wickedneße of the people.

1 Moreouer, the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

2 Now thou sonne of man, wilt thou [Note: [a] Art thou ready to execute thy charge, which I commit vnto thee against Ierusalem, that murdereth the Prophets, and them that are godly? ] iudge, wilt thou iudge this bloody citie? wilt thou shew her all her abominations?

3 Then say, Thus sayth the Lorde God, The citie sheddeth blood in the middes of it, that her [Note: [b] That is, the time of her destruction. ] time may come, and maketh idols [Note: [c] To her owne vndoing. ] against her selfe to pollute her selfe.

4 Thou hast offended in thy blood, that thou hast shed, & hast polluted thy selfe in thine idols, which thou hast made, and thou hast caused thy dayes to draw neere, & art come vnto thy terme: therefore haue I made thee a reproch to the heathen, and a mocking to all countreys.

5 Those that be neere, & those that be farre from thee, shall mocke thee, which art vile in [Note: [d] Whose very name all men hate. ] name and sore in affliction.

6 Beholde, the princes of Israel euery one in thee was ready to his power, to shed blood.

7 In thee haue they despised father and mother: in the middes of thee [Note: [e] He meaneth hereby that there was no kinde of wickednes which was not committed in Ierusalem, and therefore the plagues of God should speedily come vpon her. ] haue they oppressed the stranger: in thee haue they vexed the fatherlesse and the widowe.

8 Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast polluted my Sabbaths.

9 In thee are men that cary tales to shed blood: in thee are they that eate vpon the mountaines: in ye mids of thee they comit abomination.

10 [Note: Leuit.20.11,18. ] In thee haue they discouered their fathers shame: in thee haue they vexed her that was polluted in her floures.

11 And euery one [Note: Iere.5.8. ] hath committed abomination with his neighbours wife, and euery one hath wickedly defiled his daughter in lawe, and in thee hath euery man forced his owne sister, euen his fathers daughter.

12 In thee haue they taken giftes to shed blood: thou hast taken vsurie and the encrease, and thou hast defrauded thy neighbours by extortion, & hast forgotten me, saith the Lord God.

13 Beholde, therefore I haue [Note: [f] In token of my wrath and vengeance. ] smitten mine hands vpon thy couetousnesse, that thou hast vsed, and vpon the blood, which hath bene in the middes of thee.

14 Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands [Note: [g] That is, able to defende thy selfe. ] be strong, in the dayes that I shall haue to doe with thee? I the Lorde haue spoken it, and will doe it.

15 And I wil scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countreys, and will cause thy [Note: [h] I will thus take away the occasion of thy wickednes. ] filthines to cease from thee.

16 And thou shalt take thine [Note: [i] Thou shalt be no more the inheritance of the Lord, but forsaken. ] inheritance in thy selfe in the sight of the heathen, & thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord.

17 ¶ And the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

18 Sonne of man, the house of Israel is vnto me as [Note: [k] Which before was most precious. ] drosse: all they are brasse, and tinne, and yron, and leade in the mids of the fornace: they are euen the drosse of siluer.

19 Therefore, thus sayth the Lorde God, Because ye are all as drosse, beholde, therefore I will gather you in the middes of Ierusalem.

20 As they gather siluer and brasse, and yron,

[A conspiracie.]



and leade, and tinne into the middes of the fornace, to blowe the fire vpon it to melt it, so wil I gather you in mine anger and in my wrath, and wil put you there [Note: [l] Meaning hereby, that the godly should be tried and the wicked destroyed. ] and melt you.

21 I wil gather you, I say, and blowe the fire of my wrath vpon you, and you shalbe melted in the mids thereof.

22 As siluer is melted in the mids of the fornace, so shal ye be melted in the mids thereof, and ye shall knowe, that I the Lord haue powred out my wrath vpon you.

23 And the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

24 Sonne of man, say vnto her; Thou art the land, that is vncleane, [Note: [m] Thou art like a baren land which the Lord plagueth with drought. ] and not rained vpon in the day of wrath.

25 There is a conspiracie [Note: [n] The false prophets haue conspired together to make their doctrine more probable. ] of her prophets in the mids thereof like a roaring lyon, rauening the praye: they haue deuoured soules: they haue taken the riches and precious things: they haue made her many widowes in the mids thereof.

26 Her Priests haue broken my Lawe, and haue defiled mine holy things: they haue put no difference betweene the holy and prophane, neither discerned betweene the vncleane, and the cleane, and haue hid their [Note: [o] They haue neglected my seruice. ] eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am prophaned among them.

27 Her princes in [Note: Mich.3.11. zepha.3.3. ] the mids thereof are like wolues, rauening the praye to shed blood, and to destroy soules for their owne couetous lucre.

28 And her [Note: [p] They which should haue reproued them, flattered them in their vices and couered their doings with lyes, Chap.13.10. ] prophets haue dawbed them with vntempered morter, seeing vanities, and diuining lies vnto them, saying, Thus sayth the Lord God, when the Lord had not spoken.

29 The people of the land haue violently oppressed by spoyling and robbing, and haue vexed the poore and the needy: yea, they haue oppressed the stranger against right.

30 And I sought for a man among them, that should [Note: [q] Which would shew himselfe zealous in my cause by resisting vice, Isa.59.16. and 63.5. and also pray vnto me to withholde my plagues, Psal. 106.23. ] make vp the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.

31 Therefore haue I powred out mine indignation vpon them, and consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their owne wayes haue I rendred vpon their heads, sayth the Lord God.


CHAP. XXIII.


Of the idolatrie of Samaria and Ierusalem, vnder the names of Aholah and Aholibah.

1 The worde of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, there were two women, the daughters of one [Note: [a] Meaning, Israel and Iudah, which came both out of one familie. ] mother.

3 And they committed fornication [Note: [b] They became idolaters after the maner of the Egyptians. ] in Egypt, they committed fornication in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teates of their virginitie.

4 And the names of [Note: [c] Aholah signifieth a mansion or dwelling in her selfe, meaning Samaria which was the royall citie of Israel: and Aholibah signifieth my mansion in her, whereby is meant Ierusalem where Gods Temple was. ] them were Aholah the elder, & Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sonnes and daughters: thus were their names. Samaria is Aholah, and Ierusalem Aholibah.

5 And Aholah played the harlot [Note: Ebr. vnder me. ] when [Note: [d] When the Israelites were named the people of God, they became idolaters, and forsooke God, and put their trust in the Assyrians. ] she was mine, and she was set on fire with her louers, to wit, with the Assyrians her neighbours,

6 Which were clothed with blewe silke, both captaines and princes: they were all pleasant yong men, and horsemen riding vpon horses.
[Page]

[Aholah and Aholibah.]




7 Thus she committed her whoredome with them, euen with all them that were the chosen men of Asshur, and with all on whome she doted, and defiled her selfe with all their idoles.

8 Neither left she her fornications, learned of the Egyptians: for in her youth they [Note: [e] The holy Ghost vseth these termes which seeme strange to chaste eares to cause this wicked vice of idolatrie so to be abhorred that vnneth any should abide to heare the name thereof mentioned. ] lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginitie, and powred their whoredome vpon her.

9 Wherefore I deliuered her into the hands of her louers, euen into the hands of the Assyrians, vpon whome she doted.

10 These discouered her shame: they tooke away her sonnes and her daughters, and slewe her with the sworde, and she had an euill name among women: for [Note: [f] Meaning, the Assyrians. ] they had executed iudgement vpon her.

11 And when her sister Aholibah sawe this, she marred her selfe with inordinate loue, more then she, and with her fornications more then her sister with her fornications.

12 She doted vpon the Assyrians her neighbours, both captaines and princes clothed with diuers sutes, horsemen ryding vpon horses: they were all pleasant yong men.

13 Then I sawe that she was defiled, and that they were both after one sort,

14 And that she encreased her fornications: for when she sawe men [Note: [g] This declareth that no wordes are able sufficiently to expresse the rage of idolaters, and therefore the holy Ghost here compareth them to those which in their raging loue and filthie lustes dote vpon the images and paintings of them after whome they lust. ] painted vpon the wall, the images of the Caldeans painted with vermelon,

15 And girded with girdles vpon their loynes, and with dyed attyre vpon their heads (looking all like princes after the maner of the Babylonians in Caldea, the land of their natiuitie)

16 Assoone, I say, as she sawe them, she doted vpon them, and sent messengers vnto them into Caldea.

17 Nowe when the Babylonians came to her into the bed of loue, they defiled her with their fornication, and she was polluted with them, and her lust departed from them.

18 So she discouered her fornication, and disclosed her shame: then mine heart forsooke her, like as mine heart had forsaken her sister.

19 Yet she encreased her whoredome more, and called to remembrance ye dayes of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.

20 For she doted vpon their seruants whose members are as the members of asses, and whose yssue is like the yssue of horses.

21 Thou calledst to remembrance the wickednes of thy youth, when thy teates were bruised by ye Egyptians: therefore ye paps of thy youth are thus.

22 Therefore, O Aholibah, thus sayeth the Lord God, Beholde, I will raise vp thy louers against thee, from whome thine heart is departed, and I will bring them against thee on euery side,

23 To wit, the Babylonians, and all the Caldeans, [Note: [h] These were the names of certaine princes and captaines vnder Nebuchad-nezzar. ] Peked, and Shoah, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: they were all pleasant yong men, captaines and princes: all they were valiant and renoumed, riding vpon horses.

24 Euen these shal come against thee with charets, waggons, and wheeles, and with a multitude of people, which shall set against thee, buckler and shield, and helmet round about: and [Note: Ebr. I will giue iudgement before them. ] I will leaue the punishment vnto them, and they shall iudge thee according to their [Note: Or, lawes. ] iudgements.

25 And I wil lay mine indignation vpon thee, and they shal deale cruelly with thee: they shall

[A cup of destruction.]



cut off thy [Note: [i] They shal destroy thy princes and Priests with the rest of thy people. ] nose and thine eares, and thy remnant shal fall by the sword: they shall cary away thy sonnes and thy daughters, and thy residue shall be deuoured by the fire.

26 They shal also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fayre iewels.

27 Thus wil I make thy wickednes to cease from thee and thy fornication out of the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift vp thine eyes vnto them, nor remember Egypt any more.

28 For thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I wil deliuer thee into the hand of them, whome thou hatest: euen into the hands of them from whome thine heart is departed.

29 And they shall handle thee despitefully, and shall take away all thy [Note: [k] All thy treasures and riches which thou hast gotten by labour. ] labour, and shall leaue thee naked and bare, and the shame of thy fornications [Note: [l] All the world shall see thy shamefull forsaking of God to serue idoles. ] shalbe discouered, both thy wickednes, and thy whoredome.

30 I wil doe these things vnto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idoles.

31 Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister: therefore wil I giue her [Note: [m] I will execute the same iudgements and vengeance against thee, and that with greater seueritie. ] cup into thine hand.

32 Thus saith ye Lord God, Thou shalt drinke of thy sisters cup, deepe and large: thou shalt be laughed to scorne and had in derision, because it containeth much.

33 Thou shalt be filled with [Note: [n] Meaning, that the afflictions shoulde be so great that they should cause them to lose their senses, and reason. ] drunkennes and sorow, euen with the cup of destruction, and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.

34 Thou shalt euen drinke it, and wring it out to the dregges, and thou shalt breake the sheards thereof, and teare thine owne breasts: for I haue spoken it, sayth the Lord God.

35 Therefore thus saith the Lorde God, Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behinde thy backe, therefore thou shalt also beare thy wickednes and thy whoredome.

36 ¶ The Lord sayd moreouer vnto me, Sonne of man, wilt thou iudge Aholah & Aholibah? and wilt thou declare to them their abominations?

37 For they haue played the whores, and blood is in their hands, and with their idoles haue they committed adulterie, and haue also caused their sonnes, whome they bare vnto me, to passe by the fire to be their [Note: [o] That is, to be sacrifices to their idols, reade Chap. 16.20. ] meate.

38 Moreouer, thus haue they done vnto me: they haue defiled my Sanctuarie in the same day, and haue prophaned my Sabbaths.

39 For when they had slaine their children to their idoles, they came the same day into my Sanctuarie to defile it: and loe, thus haue they done in the middes of mine house.

40 And howe much more is it that they sent for men to come from [Note: [p] They sent into other countreys to haue such as should teach the seruice of their idoles. ] farre vnto whom a messenger was sent, and loe, they came? for whome thou diddest wash thy selfe, and paintedst thine eyes, and deckedst thee with ornaments,

41 And satest [Note: [q] Hee meaneth the altar, that was prepared for the idoles. ] vpon a costly bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oyle.

42 And a voyce of a multitude being at ease, was with her: and with the men to make the company great were brought men of [Note: [r] Which should teach the maner of worshipping their gods. ] Saba from the wildernes, which put bracelets vpon their hands, and beautifull crownes vpon their heads.

43 Then I sayd vnto her, that was olde in adulteries, Now shall she and her fornications come to an end.


[Page 93]

[A parable of the seething pot.]




44 And they went in vnto her as they goe to a common harlot: so went they to Aholah and Aholibah the wicked women.

45 And ye righteous men they shal iudge them, after the maner of [Note: [s] That is, worthy death, reade Chap. 16.38. ] harlots, and after the maner of murtherers: for they are harlots, and blood is in their hands.

46 Wherefore thus sayth the Lord God, I will bring a multitude vpon them, and will giue them vnto the tumult, and to the spoyle,

47 And the multitude shall stone them with stones, and cut them with their swordes: they shal slay their sonnes, and their daughters, and burne vp their houses with fire.

48 Thus will I cause wickednesse to cease out of the land, that all [Note: [t] Meaning, all other cities and countreys. ] women may be taught not to doe after your wickednesse.

49 And they shall laye your wickednesse vpon you, and ye shall beare the sinnes of your idoles, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lord God.


CHAP. XXIIII.


He sheweth the destruction of Ierusalem by a parable of a seething pot. 16 The parable of Ezekiels wife being dead.

1 Againe in the [Note: [a] Of Ieconiahs captiuitie, and of the reigne of Zedekiah, 2.Kin.25.1. ] ninth yeere, in the tenth moneth, in the tenth day of the [Note: [b] Called Tebeth, which conteineth part of December and part of Ianuarie: in the which moneth and day Nebuchad-nezzar besieged Ierusalem. ] moneth, came the worde of the Lord vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, write thee the name of the day, euen of this same day: for the King of Babel set himselfe against Ierusalem this same day.

3 Therefore speake a parable vnto the rebellious house, and say vnto them, Thus sayth the Lorde God, Prepare a [Note: [c] Whereby was ment Ierusalem. ] pot, prepare it, and also powre water into it.

4 Gather the [Note: [d] That is, the citizens, & the chiefe men thereof. ] pieces thereof into it, euen euery good piece, as the thigh and the shoulder, and fill it with the chiefe bones.

5 Take one of the best sheepe, and [Note: Or, heape. ] burne also the [Note: [e] Meaning, of the innocents, whom they had slaine, who were the cause of the kindling of Gods wrath against them. ] bones vnder it, and make it boyle well, and seethe the bones of it therein,

6 Because the Lorde God sayth thus, Woe to the bloody citie, euen to the pot, [Note: [f] Whose iniquities, and wicked citizens there yet remaine. ] whose skomme is therein, & whose skomme is not gone out of it: bring it out [Note: [g] Signifying, that they shoulde not be destroyed all at once, but by litle and litle. ] piece by piece: let no [Note: [h] Spare none estate or condition. ] lot fall vpon it.

7 For her blood is in the middes of her: shee set it vpon an high [Note: [i] The citie shewed her crueltie to all the worlde, and was not ashamed thereof, neither yet hid it. ] rocke, and powred it not vpon on the ground to couer it with dust,

8 That it might cause wrath to arise, & take vengeance: euen I haue set her blood vpon an high rocke that it should not be couered.

9 Therefore thus saith ye Lord God, [Note: Nah.3.1. habak.2.12. ] Woe to the bloody citie, for I will make [Note: Or, an heape of wood. ] ye burning great.

10 Heape on much wood: [Note: [k] Meaning, that the citie shoulde be vtterly destroyed, and that hee woulde giue the enemies an appetite thereunto. ] kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and cast in spice, and let the bones be burnt.

11 Then set it emptie vpon the coles thereof, that [Note: Or, botome. ] the brasse of it may be hot, and may burne, and that the filthinesse of it may be molten in it, and that the skomme of it may be consumed.

12 [Note: [l] The citie hath flattered her selfe in vaine. ] She hath wearied her selfe with lyes, and her great skomme went not out of her: therefore her skomme shall be consumed with fire.

13 Thou remainest in thy filthines and wickednes: because I would [Note: [m] I laboured by sending my Prophetes to call thee to repentance, but thou wouldest not. ] haue purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthines, till I haue caused my wrath to light vpon thee.

14 I the Lord haue spoken it: it shall come to passe, and I will doe it: I will not goe backe, neither will I spare, neither will I repent: according to

[Ezekiels wife a signe.]



thy wayes, & according to thy workes shall [Note: [n] That is, the Babylonians. ] they iudge thee, sayeth the Lord God.

15 ¶ Also the worde of ye Lord came vnto me, saying,

16 Sonne of man beholde, I take away from thee the [Note: [o] Meaning, his wife in whom he delited, as verse 18. ] pleasure of thine eyes with a plague: yet shalt thou neither mourne nor weepe, neither shal thy teares runne downe.

17 Cease from sighing: make no mourning for the dead, and binde the tyre of thine head vpon thee, [Note: [p] For in mourning they went bare headed and bare footed, and also couered their lippes. ] and put on thy shooes vpon thy feete, and couer not thy lips, and eate [Note: [q] That is, which the neighbours sent to them that mourned. ] not the bread of men.

18 So I spake vnto the people in the morning, and at euen my wife dyed: and I did in [Note: [r] Meaning, the morning following. ] the morning, as I was commanded.

19 And the people said vnto me, Wilt thou not tell vs what these things meane towarde vs that thou doest so?

20 Then I answered them, The worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

21 Speake vnto the house of Israel, Thus sayth the Lord God, Behold, I will [Note: [s] By sending the Caldeans to destroy it, as Chap. 7.22. ] pollute my Sanctuarie, euen the [Note: [t] Wherein you boast and delite. ] pride of your power, the pleasure of your eyes, and your hearts desire, and your sonnes, and your daughters whom ye haue left, shall fall by the sworde.

22 And ye shall doe as I haue done: ye shall not couer your lippes, neither shall ye eate the bread of men.

23 And your tyre shalbe vpon your heads, and your shooes vpon your feete: ye shall not mourne nor weepe, but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourne one toward another.

24 Thus Ezekiel is vnto you a signe: according to all that he hath done, ye shall do: and when this commeth, ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

25 Also, thou sonne of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their power, ye ioy of their honor, ye pleasure of their eyes, & the [Note: Ebr. lifting vp of their soules. ] desire of their heart, their sonnes & their daughters?

26 That he that escapeth in that day, shal come vnto thee to tell thee that which hee hath heard with his eares?

27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speake, and be no more dumme, & thou shalt be a signe vnto them, and they shall knowe that I am the Lord.


CHAP. XXV.


1 The worde of the Lorde against Ammon, which reioyced at the fall of Ierusalem. 8 Against Moab and Seir, Idumea and the Philistims.

1 The worde of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophecie against them,

3 And say vnto the Ammonites, Heare the word of the Lord God, Thus saith the Lord God, Because thou saydest, [Note: [a] Because ye reioyced when the enemie destroyed my citie and Temple. ] Ha, ha, against my Sanctuarie, when it was polluted, and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate, and against the house of Iudah, when they went into captiuitie,

4 Beholde, therefore I will deliuer thee to the [Note: [b] That is, to the Babylonians. ] men of the East for a possession, and they shall set their [Note: [c] They shall chase thee away and take thy gorgeous houses to dwell in. ] palaces in thee, & make their dwellings in thee: they shall eate thy fruite, and they shall drinke thy milke.

5 And I will make [Note: [d] Called also Philadelphia, which was the chiefe citie of the Ammonites and full of conduites, 2.Sam. 12.27. ] Rabbah a dwelling place for camels, and the Ammonites a sheepecote, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lord.

6 For thus saith the Lord God, Because thou hast clapped the hands, and stamped with the feete, [Page]

[Why Tyrus was destroyed.]



and reioyced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel,

7 Beholde, therefore I will stretche out mine hand vpon thee, and will deliuer thee to be spoyled of the heathen, and I will roote thee out from the people, and I will cause thee to be destroyed out of the countreys, and I will destroy thee, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.

8 Thus saith the Lord God, Because that Moab and Seir doe say, Beholde, the house of Iudah is like vnto all the heathen,

9 Therefore, beholde, I will open the side of Moab, euen of the cities [Note: [e] So that no power or strength should be able to resist the Babylonians. ] of his cities, I say, in his frontiers with the pleasant countrey, Beth-ieshimoth, Baal-meon, and Karia-thaim.

10 I will call the men of the East against the Ammonites, and will giue them in possession, so that the Ammonites shal no more be remembred among the nations,

11 And I will execute iudgements vpon Moab, and they shall knowe that I am the Lord.

12 ¶ Thus sayth the Lorde God, Because that Edom hath done euill by taking vengeance vpon the house of Iudah, and hath committed great offence, and reuenged himselfe vpon them,

13 Therefore thus saith the Lorde God, I will also stretch out mine hand vpon Edom, and destroy man and beast out of it, and I will make it desolate from Teman, and they of Dedan shall fall by the sworde.

14 And I will execute my vengeance vpon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall doe in Edom according to mine anger, and according to mine indignation, & they shall know my vengeance, sayth the Lord God.

15 Thus sayth the Lord God, Because the Philistims haue executed vengeance, and reuenged themselues with a despitefull heart, to destroy it for the olde hatred,

16 Therefore thus sayth the Lorde God, Behold, I will stretche out mine hand vpon the Philistims, and I will cut off the [Note: [f] Which were certaine garisons of Philistims, whereby they oft times molested the Iewes. of the Cherethims Dauid also had a gard.2.Sam.8.18. ] Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.

17 And I will execute great vengeance vpon them with rebukes of mine indignation, and they shall knowe that I am the Lorde, when I shall lay my vengeance vpon them.


CHAP. XXVI.


1 He prophecieth that Tyrus shall be ouerthrowen because it reioyced at the destruction of Ierusalem. 15 The wondring and astonishment of the marchants for the destruction of Tyrus.

1 And in the [Note: [a] Either of the captiuitie of Ieconiah, or of the reigne of Zedekiah. ] eleuenth yeere, in the first day of the moneth, the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Ierusalem, Aha, the [Note: [b] That is, the famous citie Ierusalem, whereunto all people resorted. ] gate of the people is broken: it is turned vnto me: for seeing she is desolate, I shall be [Note: [c] My riches and fame shall increase: thus the wicked reioyce at their fall by whom they may haue any profite or aduantage. ] replenished,

3 Therefore thus sayth the Lorde God, Beholde, I come against thee, O Tyrus, and I will bring vp many nations against thee, as the sea mounteth vp with his waues.

4 And they shall destroy the walles of Tyrus and breake downe her towres: I will also scrape her dust from her, & make her like the top of a rocke.

5 Thou shalt be for the spreading of nettes in the middes of the sea: for I haue spoken it, sayth the Lord God, and it shalbe a spoile to ye nations.

6 And her [Note: [d] The townes that belonged vnto her. ] daughters which are in the fielde, shall be slaine by the sworde, and they shall know

[The destruction of Tyrus.]



that I am the Lord.

7 For thus sayth the Lord God, Behold, I will bring vpon Tyrus Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel, a King of Kings from the North, with horses and with charets, and with horsemen, with a multitude and much people.

8 He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the fielde, and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift vp the buckler against thee.

9 He shall set engins of warre before him against thy walles, and with his weapons breake downe thy towres.

10 The dust of his horses shall couer thee, for their multitude: thy walles shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheeles, and of the charets, when he shall enter into thy gates as into the entrie of a citie that is broken downe.

11 With the hooues of his horses shall he treade downe all thy streetes: he shall slay thy people by the sworde, and the [Note: [e] For Tyrus was much built by art, & by labour of men was wonne out of the sea. Some referre this vnto the images of the noble men which they had erected vp for their glorie and renoume. ] pillars of thy strength shall fall downe to the ground.

12 And they shall robbe thy riches, and spoyle thy marchandise, and they shall breake downe thy walles, and destroy thy pleasant houses, and they shall cast thy stones and thy timber and thy dust into the middes of the water.

13 [Note: Ierem.7.34. ] Thus will I cause the sounde of thy songs to cease, and the sound of thine harpes shall be no more heard.

14 I wil lay thee like the top of a rocke: [Note: [f] I will make thee so bare that thou shalt haue nothing to couer thee. ] thou shalt be for a spreading of nets: thou shalt be built no more: for I the Lord haue spoken it, sayth the Lord God.

15 Thus sayth the Lorde God to Tyrus, Shall not the yles tremble at the sounde of thy fall? and at the crie of the wounded, when they shall be slaine and murthered in the middes of thee?

16 Then all the princes of the [Note: [g] The gouernours and rulers of other countreys that dwell by the sea: whereby he signifieth that her destruction should be so horrible, that all the worlde should heare thereof and be afraide. ] sea shall come downe from their thrones: they shall lay away their robes, and put off their broydered garments, and shall clothe themselues with astonishment: they shall sitte vpon the ground, and be astonished at euery moment, and be amased at thee.

17 And they shall take vp a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, Howe art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited [Note: [h] Meaning, marchants which by their traffique did enrich her wonderfully and increase her power. ] of the sea men, the renoumed citie which was strong in the sea, both she and her inhabitants, which cause their feare to be on all that haunt therein!

18 Nowe shall the yles be astonished in the day of thy fall: yea, the yles that are in the sea, shall be troubled at thy departure.

19 For thus saith the Lord God, When I shall make thee a desolate citie, like ye cities that are not inhabited, and when I shall bring the deepe vpon thee, and great waters shall couer thee,

20 When I shall cast thee downe with them that descende into the pitte, with the people [Note: [i] Which are dead long agoe. ] of olde time, and shall set thee in the lowe partes of the earth, like the olde ruines, with them, I say, which goe downe to the pitte, so that thou shalt not be inhabited, and I shall shewe my glory in the land of the [Note: [k] Meaning in Iudea, when it shalbe restored. ] liuing,

21 I will [Note: Or, make thee a terrour. ] bring thee to nothing, & thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou neuer be found againe, sayth the Lord God.


CHAP. XXVII.


The Prophet bewaileth the desolation of Tyrus, shewing what were the riches, power and authoritie thereof in time past.


[Page 94]

[The power and riches of Tyrus.]




1 The worde of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of ma, take vp a lametation for Tyrus,

3 And say vnto Tyrus, that is situate at the entrie of the sea, which is the marte [Note: [a] Which seruest al the worlde with thy marchandise. ] of the people for many yles, Thus sayeth the Lorde God, O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfite beautie.

4 Thy borders are in the [Note: Ebr. heart. ] middes of the sea, and thy builders haue made thee of perfit beauty.

5 They haue made all thy shippe boardes of firre trees of [Note: [b] This mountaine was called Hermon, but the Amorites called it Shenir, Deut.3.9. ] Shenir: they haue brought cedars from Lebanon, to make mastes for thee.

6 Of ye okes of Bashan haue they made thine ores: the company of the Assyrians haue made thy banks of yuorie, brought out of ye yles of [Note: [c] Which is taken for Grecia and Italie. ] Chittim.

7 Fine linen with broydered woorke, brought from Egypt, was spread ouer thee to be thy sayle, blue silke and purple, brought from the yles of Elishah, was thy couering.

8 The inhabitants of Zidon, and Aruad were thy mariners, O Tyrus: thy wise men that were in thee, they were thy [Note: Or, shipmasters. ] pilots.

9 The ancients of Gebal, and the wise men thereof were in thee thy [Note: [d] Meaning, that they built the walles of the citie, which is here meant by the ship: and of these were the builders of Salomons Temple, 1.King.5.18. ] calkers, all the shippes of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupie thy marchandise.

10 They of Persia, and of Lud & of Phut were in thine armie: thy men of warre they hanged the shielde and helmet in thee: they set foorth thy beautie.

11 The men of Aruad with thine armie were vpon thy walles round about, and the [Note: [e] That is, they of Cappadocia, or Pigmes and dwarfes, which were so called, because that out of the hie towers they seemed litle. ] Gammadims were in thy towres: they hanged their shields vpon thy walles round about: they haue made thy beautie perfite.

12 They of Tarshish were thy marchantes for the multitude of all riches, for siluer, yron, tynne, and leade, which they brought to thy faires.

13 They of [Note: [f] Of Grecia, Italie and Cappadocia. ] Iauan, Tubal and Meshech were thy marchants, [Note: [g] By selling slaues. ] concerning the liues of men, and they brought vessels of brasse for thy marchadise.

14 They of the house of [Note: [h] Which are taken for a people of Asia minor. ] Togarmah brought to thy faires horses, and horsemen, and mules.

15 The men of Dedan were thy marchantes: and the marchandise of many yles were in thine handes: they brought thee for a present [Note: [i] Meaning, Vnicornes hornes, & Elephants teeth. ] hornes, teeth, and peacockes.

16 They of Aram were thy marchants for the multitude of thy [Note: Or, workes. ] wares: they occupied in thy faires with [Note: Or, carbuncle. ] emerauds, purple, & broidred worke, and [Note: Or, silke. ] fine linen, and corall, and pearle.

17 They of Iudah & of the land of Israel were thy marchants: they brought for thy marchandise wheat of [Note: [k] Where the best wheat growed. ] Minnith, and Pannag, and honie and oyle, and [Note: Or, turpentine, or triacle. ] balme.

18 They of Damascus were thy marchants in ye multitude of thy wares, for the multitude of all riches, as in the wine of Helbon and white wooll.

19 They of Dan also and of Iauan, going to and fro, occupied in thy faires: yron woorke, cassia and calamus were among thy marchandise.

20 They of Dedan were thy marchants in precious clothes for the charets.

21 They of Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar [Note: Or, were marchats whose marchandise passed through thine hands. ] occupied with thee, in lambes, and rammes and goates: in these were they thy marchants.

22 The marchats of Sheba, and Raamah were thy marchantes: they occupied in thy faires with the chiefe of all spices, and with al precious stones and golde.

[The mourning for Tyrus fall.]




23 They of Haram and Canneh and Eden, the marchants of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad were thy marchants.

24 These were thy marchants in all sortes of things, in raiment of blewe silke, and of broydred woorke, and in coffers for the rich apparell, which were bound with cordes: chaines also were among thy marchandise.

25 The shippes of Tarshish [Note: Or, came in companie toward thee. ] were thy chiefe in thy marchandise, and thou wast replenished and made very glorious in the middes of the sea.

26 Thy [Note: Or, rowers. ] robbers haue brought thee into great waters: the [Note: [l] That is, Nebuchad-nezzar. ] East winde hath broken thee in the middes of the sea.

27 Thy riches and thy faires, thy marchandise, thy mariners and pilotes, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy marchandise & al thy men of warre that are in thee, and all thy multitude which is in the middes of thee, shall fall in the middes of the sea in the day of thy ruine.

28 The [Note: [m] That is, the cities nere about thee, as was Zidon, Aruad and others. ] suburbes shall shake at the sound of the crie of thy pilotes.

29 And all that handle the ore, the mariners and al the pilots of the sea shal come downe from their shippes, and shall stand vpon the land,

30 And shall cause their voyce to be heard against thee, and shal cry bitterly, and shal cast dust vpon their heads, & wallow theselues in the ashes.

31 They shal plucke off their heare for thee & gird them with a sackecloth, and they shal weepe for thee with sorow of heart & bitter mourning.

32 And in their mourning, they shal take vp a lametation for thee, saying, What citie is like Tyrus, so destroied in the middes of the sea!

33 When thy wares went foorth of the seas, thou filledst many people, & thou diddest enrich the Kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy marchandise.

34 When thou shalt be broken by ye seas in the depths of the waters, thy marchandise and all thy multitude, which was in the mids of thee, shal fal.

35 All the inhabitantes of the yles shall be astonished at thee, and all their Kings shall be sore afraide and troubled in their countenance.

36 The marchants among the people shal hisse at thee: thou shalt be a terrour, and neuer shalt be [Note: [n] Whereby is meant a log time: for it was prophecied to be destroied but seuentie yeres, as Isa.23.15. ] any more.


CHAP. XXVIII.


2 The worde of God against the King of Tyrus for his pride. 21 The word of the Lord against Zidon. 25 The Lorde promiseth that he will gather together the children of Israel.

1 The woorde of the Lorde came againe vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of ma, say vnto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saieth the Lord God, Because thine heart is exalted, & thou hast said, [Note: [a] I am safe that none can come to hurt me, as God is in the heauen. ] I am a God, I sit in the seat of God in ye mids of the sea, yet thou art but a man & not God, and [Note: Though thou set thine heart as the heart of God. ] though thou didest thinke in thine heart, that thou wast equall with God,

3 Behold, thou art wiser then [Note: [b] Thus he speaketh by derision: for Daniel had declared notable signes of his wisedome in Babylon, when Ezekiel wrote this. ] Daniel: there is no secrete, that they can hide from thee.

4 With thy wisedome and thine vnderstanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten golde and siluer into thy treasures.

5 By thy great wisedome and by thine occupying hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted vp because of thy riches.

6 Therefore thus sayeth the Lorde God, Because thou didest thinke in thine heart, that thou wast equall with God,
[Page]

[Zidon a pricking thorne.]




7 Behold, therefore I wil bring strangers vpon thee, euen the terrible nations: and they shall drawe their swordes against the beautie of thy wisedome, and they shall defile thy brightnes.

8 They shall cast thee downe to the pit, and thou shalt die the death of them, that are slaine in the middes of the sea.

9 Wilt thou say then before him, that slayeth thee, I am a god? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hands of him that slayeth thee.

10 Thou shalt die the death of the [Note: [c] Like the rest of the heathen and infidels, which are Gods enemies. ] vncircumcised by the hands of stragers: for I haue spoken it, sayth the Lord God.

11 ¶ Moreouer the word of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

12 Sonne of man, take vp a lamentation vpon the King of Tyrus, and say vnto him, Thus sayeth the Lorde God, Thou sealest vp the summe, and art full of [Note: [d] He derideth the vaine opinion and confidence that the Tyrians had in their riches, strength and pleasures. ] wisedome and perfite in beautie.

13 Thou hast ben in Eden the garden of God: euery precious stone was in thy garment, the rubie, the topaze and the [Note: Or, iasper. ] diamonde, the chrysolite, the onix, and the iasper, the saphir, [Note: Or, carbuncle. ] emeraude, and the carbuncle and golde: the woorkemanship of thy timbrels, & of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art [Note: [e] He meaneth the royall state of Tyrus, which for the excellencie and glory thereof he compareth to the Cherubims which couered the Arke: and by this woorde annointed he signifieth the same. ] the anointed Cherub, that couereth, and I haue set thee [Note: [f] I did thee this honour to make thee one of the builders of my Temple, which was when Hiram sent vnto Salomon things necessary for the worke. ] in honour: thou wast vpon the holy mountaine of God: thou hast walked in the middes of the [Note: [g] To wit, among my people Israel, which shined as precious stones. ] stones of fire.

15 Thou wast perfite in thy wayes from the day that thou wast [Note: [h] Which was when I first called thee to this dignitie. ] created, till iniquitie was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy marchandise, they haue filled the middes of thee with crueltie, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as prophane out of the [Note: [i] Thou shalt haue no part among my people. ] mountaine of God: and I will destroy thee, O couering Cherub from the mids of the stones of fire.

17 Thine heart was lifted vp because of thy beautie, and thou hast corrupted thy wisedome by reason of thy brightnes: I wil cast thee to ye grounde: I will lay thee before Kinges that they may beholde thee.

18 Thou hast defiled thy [Note: [k] That is, the honour, whereunto I called them. ] sanctification by the multitude of thine iniquities, & by the iniquitie of thy marchandise: therefore wil I bring forth a fire from the mids of thee, which shall deuoure thee: and I wil bring thee to ashes vpon the earth, in the sight of all them that beholde thee.

19 All they that knowe thee among the people, shalbe astonished at thee: thou shalt be [Note: Or, brought to nothing. ] a terrour, and neuer shalt thou be any more.

20 ¶ Againe, the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

21 Sonne of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesie against it,

22 And say, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I come against thee, O Zidon, and I will be [Note: [l] By executing my iudgements against thy wickednes. ] glorified in the mids of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lorde, when I shal haue executed iudgements in her, and shalbe sanctified in her.

23 For I wil send into her pestilence, & blood into her streetes, and the slaine shall fall in the middes of her: [Note: [m] That is, Nebuchad-nezzar. ] the enemie shall come against her with the sword on euery side, and they shal know that I am the Lord.

24 And they shalbe no more a pricking thorne vnto the house of Israel, nor any grieuous thorne of all yt are round about them, and despised them,

[Egypt a staffe of reede.]



and they shall knowe that I am the Lorde God.

25 Thus saith the Lord God, When I shal haue gathered the house of Israel fro the people where they are scattered, and shalbe [Note: [n] He sheweth for what cause God wil assemble his Church, and preserue it stil though he destroy his enemies: to wit, that they should praise him, & giue thanks for his great mercies. ] sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shal they dwel in the land, that I haue giuen to my seruant Iaakob.

26 And they shal dwell safely therein, & shall builde houses, and plant vineyards: yea, they shall dwell safely, when I haue executed iudgements vpon al round about them that despise them, and they shall knowe that I am the Lord their God.


CHAP. XXIX.


Hee prophecieth against Pharaoh and Egypt. 13 The Lorde promiseth that he will restore Egypt after fourtie yeeres. 18 Egypt is the rewarde of King Nebuchad-nezzar for the labour, which he tooke against Tyrus.

1 In the [Note: [a] To wit, of the captiuitie of Ieconiah or of the reigne of Zedekiah. Of the order of these prophecies and howe the former sometimes standeth after the latter, reade Iere. 27.1. ] tenth yeere, and in the tenth moneth in the twelfth day of the moneth, the word of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, set thy face against Pharaoh the King of Egypt, and prophecie against him, and against all Egypt.

3 Speake, and say, Thus sayth the Lord God, Beholde, I come against thee, Pharaoh King of Egypt, the great [Note: [b] He compareth Pharaoh to a dragon which hideth himselfe in the riuer Nilus, as Isa. 51.9. ] dragon, that lieth in the middes of his riuers, which hath saide, The riuer is mine, and I haue made it for my selfe.

4 But I will put [Note: [c] I wil send enemies against thee, which shal plucke thee, and thy people which trust in thee, out of thy sure places. ] hookes in thy chawes, and I will cause the fish of thy riuers to sticke vnto thy scales, and I will drawe thee out of the middes of thy riuers, and all the fishe of thy riuers shall sticke vnto thy scales.

5 And I will leaue thee in the wildernes, both thee & al the fish of thy riuers: thou shalt fal vpon ye open field: thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: for I haue giue thee for meat to the beasts of the field, and to the foules of heauen.

6 And al the inhabitants of Egypt shal know that I am the Lord, because they haue ben a staffe of [Note: [d] Read 2. King.18, 21. Isa. 36.6. ] reede to the house of Israel.

7 When they tooke holde of thee with their hand, thou diddest breake, & rent all their shoulder: & when they leaned vpon thee, thou brakest and madest all their loynes to [Note: Or, shake. ] stand [Note: [e] When they felt their hurt, they would staie no more vpon thee, but stoode vpon their feete and put their trust in others. ] vpright.

8 Therefore thus sayeth the Lorde God, Beholde, I will bring a sworde vpon thee, and destroy man and beast out of thee,

9 And the land of Egypt shalbe desolate, and waste, & they shal know that I am ye Lord: because he hath said, [Note: [f] Thus God can not suffer that man shoulde arrogate any thing to himselfe or put his trust in any thing saue in him alone. ] The riuer is mine, & I haue made it,

10 Behold, therefore I come vpon thee, and vpon thy riuers, & I will make the land of Egypt vtterly waste and desolate from the towre of Seueneh, euen vnto the borders of the [Note: Ebr. Cush, or Ethiopia. ] blacke Mores.

11 No foote of man shall passe by it, nor foote of beast shall passe by it, neither shall it be inhabited fourtie yeeres.

12 And I wil make the land of Egypt desolate in the middes of the countries, that are desolate, and her cities shall be desolate among the cities that are desolate, for fourtie yeeres: and I wil scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and wil disperse them through the countreis.

13 Yet thus saieth the Lord God, [Note: Iere. 45.26. ] At the end of fourtie yeeres will I gather the Egyptians from the people, where they were scattered,

14 And I wil bring againe the captiuitie of Egypt, and will cause them to returne into the land of Pathros, into the lande of their habitation, and they shalbe there a [Note: [g] Meaning, that they should not haue full dominion, but be vnder the Persians, Grecians & Romaines, and the cause is, that the Israelites should no more put their trust in them, but learne to depend on God. ] small kingdome.


[Page 95]

[Nebuchad-nezzars wages.]




15 It shall be the smallest of the kingdomes, neither shall it exalt it selfe any more aboue the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule the nations.

16 And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, to bring their [Note: [h] Lest I should by this meanes punish their sinnes. ] iniquitie to remembrance by looking after them, so shall they knowe, that I am the Lord God.

17 ¶ In the [Note: [i] Counting from the captiuitie of Ieconiah. ] seuen and twentieth yeere also in the first moneth, and in the first day of the moneth, came the word of the Lord vnto me, saying,

18 Sonne of man, Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel caused his armie to serue a great [Note: [k] He tooke great paines at the siege of Tyrus and his armie was sore handled. ] seruice against Tyrus: euery head was made balde, & euery shoulder was made bare: yet had he no wages, [Note: [l] Signifying, that Nebuchad-nezzar had more paines then profite, by the taking of Tyrus. ] nor his armie for Tyrus, for the seruice that he serued against it.

19 Therefore thus sayth the Lorde God, Beholde, I will giue the land of Egypt vnto Nebuchad-nezzar the King of Babel, and he shall take her multitude, and spoyle her spoyle, and take her pray, and it shall be the wages for his armie.

20 I haue giuen him the land of Egypt for his labour, that he serued [Note: Or, in it. ] against it, because they wrought [Note: Or, euill against me. ] for me, sayth the Lord God.

21 In that day will I cause the horne of the house of Israel to growe, and I will giue thee an open mouth in the middes of them, and they shall knowe that I am the Lord.


CHAP. XXX.


The destruction of Egypt and the cities thereof.

1 The worde of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, prophesie, and say, Thus sayth the Lord God, Howle and cry, Wo be vnto this day.

3 For the day is neere, & the day of the Lord is at hand, a cloudie day, and it shall be the time of the heathen.

4 And the sword shall come vpon Egypt, and feare shall be in Ethiopia, when the slaine shall fall in Egypt, when they shall take away her multitude, and when her foundations shall be broken downe.

5 [Note: [a] By Phut and Lud are meant Aphrica and Lybia. ] Ethiopia and Phut, and Lud, and all the common people, and Cub, and the men of the land, yt is in league, shall fall wt them by the sword.

6 Thus sayth the Lord, They also that mainteine Egypt, shall fall, and the pride of her power shall come downe: from the towre of [Note: [b] Which was a strong citie of Egypt, Chap. 29.10. ] Seueneh shall they fall by the sword, sayth the Lord God.

7 And they shall be desolate in the middes of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the middes of the cities that are wasted.

8 And they shall knowe that I am the Lord, when I haue set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed.

9 In that day shall there messengers go forth from me in shippes, to make the carelesse Mores aftaide, and feare shall come vpon them, as in the day of Egypt: for loe, it commeth.

10 Thus sayth the Lord God, I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel.

11 For he and his people with him, euen the terrible nations shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall drawe their swordes against Egypt, and fill the land with the slaine.

12 And I will make the riuers drye, and fell the land into the hands of the wicked, and I will make

[Pharaohs arme broken.]



the land waste, and all that therein is by the hands of strangers: I the Lord haue spoken it.

13 Thus saith the Lord God, I will also destroy the idoles, and I will cause their idoles to cease out of [Note: Or, Memphis, or Alkaira. ] Noph, and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt, and I will send a feare in the land of Egypt.

14 And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in [Note: Or, Tanis. ] Zoan, and I will execute iudgement in No.

15 And I will powre my wrath vpon [Note: Or, Pelusium. ] Sin, which is the strength of Egypt: and I will destroy the multitude of [Note: Or, Alexandria. ] No.

16 And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall haue great sorowe and No shalbe destroyed, and Noph shall haue sorowes dayly.

17 The yong men of [Note: Or, Heliopolis. ] Auen, and of [Note: Or, Pubastum. ] Phibeseth shall fall by the sworde: and these cities shall goe into captiuitie.

18 At Tehaphnehes the day [Note: [c] Meaning, that there shall be great sorowe and affliction. ] shall restraine his light, when I shall breake there the [Note: [d] That is, the strength and force. ] barres of Egypt: and when the pompe of her power shall cease in her, the cloude shall couer her, and her daughters shall goe into captiuitie.

19 Thus will I execute iudgements in Egypt, and they shall knowe that I am the Lord.

20 ¶ And in the [Note: [e] Of the captiuitie of Ieconiah or of Zedekiahs reigne. ] eleuenth yeere, in the first moneth, and in the seuenth day of the moneth, the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

21 Sonne of man, [Note: [f] For Nebuchad-nezzar destroyed Pharaoh Necho at Charchemish, Ierem.46.26. ] I haue broken the arme of Pharaoh King of Egypt: and lo, it shall not be boud vp to be healed, neither shal they put a roule to bind it, & so make it strong, to hold the sworde.

22 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I come against Pharaoh King of Egypt, and will breake [Note: [g] His force and power. ] his arme, that was strong, but is broken, and I will cause the sworde to fall out of his hande.

23 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countreys.

24 And I will strengthen the arme of the King of Babel, and put my sworde in his hand, but I will breake Pharaohs armes, and he shall cast out sighings, as the sighings of him, that is wounded before him.

25 But I will strengthen the armes of the king of Babel, and the armes of Pharaoh shall fall downe, and they shall knowe, that I am the Lord, [Note: [h] Whereby we see that tyrants haue no power of themselues, neither can doe any more harme then God appointeth, and when he will they must cease. ] when I shall put my sworde into the hand of the King of Babel, and he shall stretch it out vpon the land of Egypt.

26 And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, & disperse them among ye countreys, and they shall knowe, that I am the Lord.


CHAP. XXXI.


2 A comparison of the prosperitie of Pharaoh with the prosperitie of the Assyrians. 10 He prophesieth a like destruction to them both.

1 And in the [Note: [a] Of Zedekiahs reigne or of Ieconiahs captiuitie. ] eleuenth yeere, in the third moneth, and in the first day of the moneth the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, speake vnto Pharaoh King of Egypt, and to his multitude, Whom art thou [Note: [b] Meaning, that he was not like in strength to the King of the Assyrians, whom the Babylonians ouercame. ] like in thy greatnesse?

3 Beholde, Asshur was like a cedar in Lebanon with faire branches, & with thicke shadowing boughes, and shot vp very hye, and his toppe was among the thicke boughes.

4 The waters nourished him, and the deepe [Page]

[The Assyrians prosperitie described.]



exalted him on hie with her riuers running round about his plants, and sent out her [Note: [c] Many other nations were vnder their dominion. ] litle riuers vnto all the trees of the [Note: Or, countrey. ] fielde.

5 Therefore his height was exalted aboue all the trees of the fielde, and his boughes were multiplied, and his branches were long, because of the multitude of the waters, which the deepe sent out.

6 All the foules of the heauen made their nestes in his boughes, and vnder his branches did all the beastes of the fielde bring foorth their yong, and vnder his shadowe dwelt all mightie nations.

7 Thus was he faire in his greatnesse, and in the length of his branches: for his roote was neere great waters.

8 The cedars in the garden [Note: [d] Signifying, that there was no greater power in the worlde then his was. ] of God coulde not hide him: no firre tree was like his branches, and the chessenut trees were not like his boughes: all the trees in the garden of God were not like vnto him in his beautie.

9 I made him faire by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, enuied him.

10 Therefore thus sayeth the Lorde God, Because [Note: Or, thou wast lift vp. ] he is lift vp on high, and hath shot vp his toppe among the thicke boughes, and his heart is lift vp in his height,

11 I haue therefore deliuered him into the handes of the [Note: [e] That is, of Nebuchad-nezzar, who afterwarde was the monarche and onely ruler of the worlde. ] mightiest among the heathen: he shall handle him, for I haue cast him away for his wickednesse.

12 And the strangers haue destroyed him, euen the terrible nations, and they haue left him vpon the mountaines, and in all the valleis his branches are fallen, and his boughes are [Note: [f] Hereby is signified the destruction of the power of the Assyrians by the Babylonians. ] broken by all the riuers of the land: and all the people of the earth are departed from his shadowe, and haue forsaken him.

13 Vpon his ruine shall all the foules of the heauen remaine, and all the beastes of the fielde shall be vpon his branches,

14 So that none of all the trees by the waters shalbe exalted by their height, neither shall shoote vp their toppe among the thicke boughes, neither shall their leaues stand vp in their height, which drinke so much water: for they are all deliuered vnto death in the nether partes of the earth in the middes of the children of men among them that goe downe to the pit.

15 Thus saith the Lord God, In the day when he went downe to hell, I caused them to mourne, and I [Note: [g] The deepe waters that caused him to mount so hie (meaning his great abundance and pompe) shall nowe lament as though they were couered with sackecloth. ] couered the deepe for him, and I did restreine the floods thereof, and the great waters were stayed: I caused Lebanon to mourne for him, and all the trees of the fielde fainted.

16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him downe to hell with them that descend into the pit, & all the excellent trees of Eden, and the best of Lebanon: euen all that are nourished with waters, shall [Note: [h] To cause this destruction of the King of Assyria to seeme more horrible, he setteth forth other Kings and princes which are dead, as though they reioyced at the fall of such a tyrant. ] be comforted in the nether partes of the earth.

17 They also went downe to hell with him vnto them that be slaine with the sworde, and his arme, and they that dwelt vnder his shadowe in the middes of the heathen.

18 To whom [Note: [i] Meaning, that Pharaohs power was nothing so great as his was. ] art thou thus like in glorie and in greatnesse among the trees of Eden? yet thou shalt be cast downe with the trees of Eden vnto the nether partes of the earth: thou shalt sleepe in the middes of the [Note: [k] Reade Chap.28.10. ] vncircumcised, with them that

[The destruction of Egypt.]



be slaine by the sworde: this is Pharaoh and all his multitude, sayth the Lord God.


CHAP. XXXII.


2 The Prophet is commaunded to bewayle Pharaoh King of Egypt. 12 He prophesieth that destruction shall come vnto Egypt through the King of Babylon.

1 And in the [Note: [a] Which was the first yeere of the generall captiuitie vnder Zedekiah. ] twelfth yeere in the twelfth moneth, and in the first day of the moneth, the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, take vp a lamentation for Pharaoh King of Egypt, and say vnto him, Thou art like a [Note: [b] Thus the scriptures compare tyrants to cruell and huge beasts which deuoure all that be weaker then they, and such as they may ouercome. ] lyon of the nations and art as a [Note: Or, whale. ] dragon in the sea: thou castedst out thy riuers [Note: [c] Thou preparedst great armies. ] and troubledst the waters with thy feete, and stampedst in their riuers.

3 Thus sayth the Lord God, [Note: Chap.12.13. and 17.20. ] I will therefore spread my net ouer thee with a great multitude of people, and they shall make thee come vp into my net.

4 Then will I leaue thee vpon the land, and I will cast thee vpon the open field, and I wil cause all the foules of the heauen to remaine vpon thee, and I will fill all the beastes of the field with thee.

5 And I will lay thy flesh vpon the mountaines, and fill the valleys [Note: [d] With heapes of the carkases of thine armie. ] with thine height.

6 I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou [Note: [e] As Nilus ouerfloweth Egypt, so will I make the blood of thine hoste to ouerflowe it. ] swimmest, euen to ye mountaines, and the riuers shall be full of thee.

7 And when I shall [Note: [f] The worde signifyeth to be put out as a candle is put out. ] put thee out, I will couer the heauen, and make the starres thereof darke: [Note: Isa.13.10. ioel.2. 31. and 3.15. matth. 24.29. ] I will couer the sunne with a cloude, and the moone shall not giue her light.

8 All the lightes of heauen will I make darke for thee, and bring [Note: [g] By this maner of speach is ment the great sorowe that shall be for the slaughter of the King and his people. ] darkenesse vpon thy lande, sayeth the Lord God.

9 I will also trouble the heartes of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations and vpon the countries which thou hast not knowen.

10 Yea, I will make many people amased at thee, and their Kings shalbe astonished with feare for thee, when I shall make my sworde to glitter against their faces, and they shall be afraide at euery moment: euery man for his owne life in the day of thy fall.

11 For thus sayth the Lorde God, The sworde of the King of Babel shall come vpon thee.

12 By the swordes of the mightie will I cause thy multitude to fall: they all shall be terrible nations, and they shal destroy the [Note: [h] This came to passe in lesse then foure yeeres after this prophesie. ] pompe of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shalbe consumed.

13 I will destroy also all the beastes thereof from the great watersides, neither shall the foote of man trouble them any more, nor the hooues of beast trouble them.

14 Then will I make [Note: [i] To wit, of the Caldeans thine enemies, which shall quietly enioy all thy commodities. ] their waters deepe, and cause their riuers to runne like oyle, sayeth the Lord God.

15 When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the countrey with all that is therein, shall be laid waste: when I shall smite all them which dwell therein, then shall they know yt I am ye Lord.

16 This is the mourning wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for Egypt, and for all her multitude, sayeth the Lord God.

17 ¶ In the twelfth yeere also in the fifteenth day of the moneth, came the worde of the Lorde vnto me, saying,

18 Sonne of man, lament for the multitude of

[Page 96]

[The ende of Tyrants.]



Egypt, and [Note: [k] That is, prophesie, that they shall be cast downe: thus the Lorde giueth his Prophets power both to plant & to destroy by his word, read Iere.1.10. ] cast them downe, euen them and the daughters of the mighty nations vnto the nether partes of the earth, with them that goe downe into the pit.
19 Whome doest thou passe [Note: [l] Haue not other kingdomes, more beautifull then thou, perished? ] in beautie? goe downe and sleepe with the vncircumcised.

20 They shall fall in the middes of them that are slaine by the sword: [Note: [m] That is, Egypt. ] shee is deliuered to the sword: draw her downe, and all her multitude.

21 The most mighty & strong shall speake to [Note: [n] To make the matter more sensible, he bringeth in Pharaoh whome ye dead shall meete and maruaile at him, read Isa.14.9. ] him out of the mids of hel with them that helpe her: they are gone downe and sleepe with the vncircumcised that be slaine by the sworde.

22 Asshur is there and all his companie: their graues are about him: all they are slaine and fallen by the sworde.

23 Whose graues are made in the side of the pit, and his multitude are rounde about his graue: all they are slaine and fallen by the sworde, which caused feare to be in the land of the liuing.

24 There is [Note: [o] Meaning, the Persians. ] Elam & all his multitude round about his graue: al they are slaine and fallen by the sword which are gone downe with the vncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused themselues to be feared in the land of the [Note: [p] Whom in this life all the worlde feared. ] liuing, yet haue they borne their shame with them that are gone downe to the pit.

25 They haue made his bed in the mids of the slaine with al his multitude: their graues are round about him: all these vncircucised are slaine by the sworde: though they haue caused their feare in the land of ye liuing, yet haue they borne their shame with them that goe downe to the pitte: they are laide in the middes of them, that be slaine.

26 There is [Note: [q] That is, the Cappadocians and Italians, or Spaniards, as Iosephus writeth. ] Meshech, Tubal, & all their multitude, their graues are round about them: al these vncircumcised were slaine by the sworde, though they caused their feare to be in ye land of the liuing.

27 And they shal not lie wt the valiant [Note: [r] Which died not by cruell death, but by the course of nature, and are honourably buried with their coate armour and signes of honour. ] of the vncircumcised, yt are fallen, which are gone down to the graue, with their weapons of warre, & haue laied their swords vnder their heads, but their iniquitie shalbe vpon their bones: because they were the feare of the mighty in the lande of the liuing.

28 Yea, thou shalt be broken in the middes of the vncircumcised, and lie with them that are slaine by the sworde.

29 There is Edom, his Kings, and all his princes, which with their strength are laied by them that were slaine by the sworde: they shall sleepe with the vncircumcised, and with them that goe downe to the pit.

30 There be al the princes of the [Note: [s] The Kings of Babylon. ] North, with al the Zidonians, which are gone downe with the slaine, with their feare: they are ashamed of their strength, and the vncircumcised sleepe with them that be slaine by the sword, and beare their shame with them that goe downe to the pit.

31 Pharaoh shall see them, and hee shall be [Note: [t] As the wicked reioyce when they see others partakers of their miseries. ] comforted ouer all his multitude: Pharaoh, and all his armie shall be slaine by the sword, saieth the Lord God.

32 For I haue caused my [Note: [u] I wil make the Egyptians afraide of mee, as they caused others to feare them. ] feare to be in the lande of the liuing: and he shal be laid in the mids of the vncircumcised with them, that are slaine by the sword, euen Pharaoh and all his multitude, sayeth the Lord God.



CHAP. XXXIII.


2 The office of the gouernours and ministers. 14 Hee strengtheneth them that despaire, and boldeneth them with the promes of mercie. 30 The woorde of the Lorde against the mockers of the Prophet.

[Of the watchman.]




1 Againe, the woorde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, speake to the children of thy people, and say vnto them, When I bring the sworde vpon a lande, if the people of the lande take a man [Note: Or, of their coasts. ] from among them, and make him their [Note: [a] He sheweth that the people ought to haue continually gouernours and teachers which may haue a care ouer them, and to warne them euer of the dangers which are at hand. ] watchman,

3 If when hee seeth the sworde come vpon ye land, he blow the trumpet, & warne the people,

4 Then hee that heareth the sounde of the trumpet, and will not bee warned, if the sworde come, and take him away, his blood shall be vpon his owne head.

5 For he heard the sound of the trumpet, and woulde not bee admonished: therefore his blood shall be vpon him: but he that receiueth warning, shall saue his life.

6 But if the watchman see the sworde come, and blowe not the trumpet, and the people be not warned: if the sworde come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away for his [Note: [b] Signifying that the wicked shall not escape punishment though the watchman be negligent: but if the watchman blowe the trumpet, and then he will not obey, he shall deserue double punishment. ] iniquitie, but his blood will I require at the watchmans hande.

7 [Note: Chap.3.17. ] So thou, O sonne of man, I haue made thee a watchman vnto the house of Israel: therefore thou shalt heare the woorde at my [Note: [c] Which teacheth that he that receiueth not his charge at the Lordes mouth, is a spie, and not a true watchman. ] mouth, and admonish them from me.

8 When I shall say vnto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt die the death, if thou doest not speake, and admonish the wicked of his way, that wicked man shall die for his iniquitie, but his blood will I [Note: [d] The watchman must answere for the blood of all yt perish through his negligence. ] require at thine hand.

9 Neuerthelesse, If thou warne the wicked of his way, to turne from it, if he doe not turne from his way, he shall die for his iniquitie, but thou hast deliuered thy soule.

10 Therefore, O thou sonne of man, speake vnto the house of Israel, Thus yee speake and say, If our transgressions and our sinnes bee vpon vs, and we are consumed because of them, [Note: [e] Thus the wicked when they heare Gods iudgements for their sinnes, despaire of his mercies and murmure. ] howe should we then liue?

11 Say vnto them, As I liue, sayeth the Lorde God, [Note: [f] Read Chap. 18.23. ] I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his way & liue: turne you, turne you from your euill waies, for why will ye die, O ye house of Israel?

12 Therefore thou sonne of man, saye vnto the children of thy people, The [Note: [g] Reade of this righteousnesse, Chap.18.22,24. ] righteousnesse of the righteous shall not deliuer him in the day of his transgression, nor the wickednesse of the wicked shall cause him to fall therein, in the day that he returneth from his wickednesse, neither shal the righteous liue for his righteousnesse in the day that he sinneth.

13 When I shal say vnto the righteous, that he shall surely liue, if he trust to his owne righteousnes, and commit iniquitie, all his righteousnes shal be no more remembred, but for his iniquitie that he hath committed, he shall die for the same.

14 Againe when I shall say vnto the wicked, thou shalt die the death, if he turne from his sinne, and doe that which is lawfull and [Note: [h] Hereby he condemneth all them of hypocrisie, which pretend to forsake wickednes, & yet declare not themselues such by their fruits, that is, in obeying Gods comandements and by godly life. ] right,

15 To wit, if the wicked restore the pledge, and giue againe that he had robbed, and walke in the statutes of life, without committing iniquitie, he shall surely liue, and not die.

16 None of his sinnes that he hath comitted, shal be mentioned vnto him: because he hath done [Page]

[A iesting song.]



that, which is lawful, and right, he shal surely liue.

17 Yet the children of thy people say, [Note: Chap.28.25. ] The way of the Lord is not equall: but their owne way is vnequall.

18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousnesse, and committeth iniquitie, he shall euen die thereby.

19 But if the wicked returne from his wickednesse, and doe that which is lawfull and right, hee shall liue thereby.

20 Yet yee say, The way of the Lord is not equall. O ye house of Israel, I will iudge you euery one after his waies.

21 Also in the twelfth yere of [Note: [i] When the Prophet was led away captiue with Ieconiah. ] our captiuitie, in the tenth moneth, and in the fift day of the moneth, one that had escaped out of Ierusalem, came vnto me, and said, The citie is smitten.

22 Now the [Note: [k] I was indued with the Spirite of prophesie, Chap.8.2. ] hand of the Lord had bene vpon me in ye euening afore hee that had escaped, came, and had opened my mouth vntill he came to me in the morning: and when hee had opened my [Note: [l] Whereby is signified that the ministers of God can not speake till God giue them courage and open their mouthes, Chap.24.27.&29. 21 Eph.6.19. ] mouth, I was no more dumme.

23 Againe the worde of the Lord came vnto me, and saide,

24 Sonne of man, these that dwel in the desolate places of the land of Israel, talke and say, [Note: [m] Thus the wicked thinke them selues more worthy to enioy Gods promises then the Saints of God, to whom they were made: and would binde God to be subiect to them, though they would not be bound to him. ] Abraham was but one, and hee possessed the lande: but we are many, therefore the lande shall be giuen vs in possession.

25 Wherefore say vnto them, Thus saieth the Lorde God, Ye eate with the [Note: [n] Contrary to the Law, Leui.17.14. ] blood, and lift vp your eyes towarde your idoles, and sheade blood: should ye then possesse the land?

26 Ye leane vpon your [Note: [o] As they that are ready still to shead blood. ] swordes: ye worke abomination, and yee defile euery one his neighbours wife: should ye then possesse the land?

27 Say thus vnto them, Thus saieth the Lorde God, As I liue, so surely they that are in the desolate places, shall fall by the sword: and him that is in the open field, will I giue vnto the beasts to be deuoured: and they that be in the forts and in the caues, shall die of the pestilence.

28 For I will lay the land desolate and waste, and the [Note: Chap.7.14. & 24. 31? 30.6,7. ] pompe of her strength shall cease: and the moutaines of Israel shalbe desolate, and none shall passe through.

29 Then shall they know that I am the Lord, when I haue laid ye land desolate & wast, because of al their abominations, yt they haue committed.

30 Also thou sonne of man, the children of thy people yt [Note: [p] In derision. ] talke of thee by the wals & in the dores of houses, and speake one to another, euery one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, & heare what is the word that commeth from the Lord.

31 For they come vnto thee, as the people vseth to come: and my people sit before thee, and heare thy wordes, but they will not doe them: for with their mouthes they make [Note: [q] This declareth that we ought to heare Gods worde with such zeale & affection that we should in al points obey it, els we abuse the worde to our owne condemnation, and make of his ministers as though they were lefts to serue mens foolish fantasies. ] iestes, and their heart goeth after their couetousnesse.

32 And loe, thou art vnto them, as a [Note: Or, pleasant, and loue song. ] iesting song of one that hath a pleasant voyce, and can sing well: for they heare thy woordes, but they doe them not.

33 And when this commeth to passe (for loe, it will come) then shall they know, that a Prophet hath bene among them.


CHAP. XXXIIII.


2 Against the shepherds that despise the flocke of Christ, and seeke their owne gaine. 7 The Lord saieth that he will visite his dispersed flocke, and gather them together. 23 Hee promiseth the true shepherd Christ, and with him peace.

[Against ill shepheards.]




1 And the woorde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, prophesie against the shepherdes of Israel, prophesie & say vnto them, Thus saieth the Lord God vnto the shepherds, [Note: Iere.23.1. ] Wo be vnto the [Note: [a] By the shepheards he meaneth the King, the magistrates, Priests, and Prophets. ] shepherds of Israel, yt feede them selues: should not the shepherds feede the flockes?

3 Yee eate the [Note: [b] Ye seeke to enrich your selues by their commodities, and so spoyle their riches and substance. ] fat, and yee clothe you with the wooll: yee kill them that are fed, but ye feede not the sheepe.

4 The [Note: [c] He describeth the office & duetie of a good pastor, who ought to loue and succour his flocke and not to be cruel toward them. ] weake haue ye not strengthened: the sicke haue ye not healed, neither haue ye bounde vp the broken, nor brought againe that which was driuen away, neither haue yee sought yt which was lost, but with crueltie, and with rigour haue yee ruled them.

5 And they were scattered without a shepherde: and when they were dispersed, they were [Note: [d] For lacke of good gouernment and doctrine they perished. ] deuoured of all the beastes of the fielde.

6 My sheepe wandred through all the mountaines, and vpon euery hie hill: yea, my flocke was scattered through al the earth, and none did seeke or search after them.

7 Therefore ye shepherds, heare the woorde of the Lord.

8 As I liue, sayeth the Lorde God, surely because my flocke was spoyled, and my sheepe were deuoured of all the beasts of the fielde, hauing no shepherde, neither did my shepherdes seeke my sheepe, but the shepherdes fedde them selues, and fedde not my sheepe,

9 Therefore, heare ye the word of the Lorde, O ye shepherds.

10 Thus saieth the Lorde God, Behold, I come against the shepherds, and will require my sheepe at their hands, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheepe: neither shall the shepherds feede them selues any more: for I wil deliuer my sheepe from [Note: [e] By destroying the couetous hirelings and restoring true shepherdes, whereof we haue a signe so oft as God sendeth true preachers who both by doctrine and life labour to feede his sheepe in the pleasant pastures of his worde. ] their mouthes, and they shall no more deuoure them.

11 For thus sayeth the Lorde God, Beholde, I will search my sheepe, and seeke them out.

12 As a shepherd searcheth out his flocke, when he hath bene among his sheepe that are scattered, so wil I seeke out my sheepe and wil deliuer them out of all places, where they haue beene scattered in [Note: [f] In the day of their affliction and miserie: and this promes is to comfort the Church in all dangers. ] the cloudie and darke day,

13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countreis, and will bring them to their owne lande, and feede them vpon the mountaines of Israel, by the riuers, and in all the inhabited places of the countrey.

14 I will feede them in a good pasture, and vpon the hie mountaines of Israel shal their folde be: there shall they lie in a good folde and in fat pasture shall they feede vpon the mountaines of Israel.

15 I will feede my sheepe, and bring them to their rest, sayth the Lord God.

16 I will seeke that which was lost, and bring againe that which was driue away, and will binde vp that which was broken, and will strengthen the weake but I wil destroy the fat & the [Note: [g] Meaning, such as lift vp themselues aboue their brethren, & thinke they haue no neede to be gouerned by me. ] strong, and I will feede them with [Note: [h] That is, by putting difference betweene the good and the bad, and so giue to either, as they deserue. ] iudgement.

17 Also you my sheepe, Thus saieth the Lorde God, behold, I iudge betweene sheepe, & sheepe, betweene the rammes and the goates.

18 Seemeth it a small thing vnto you to haue eaten vp the good [Note: [i] By good pasture and deepe waters is ment the pure worde of God and the administration of iustice, which they did not distribute to the poore till they had corrupted it. ] pasture, but yee must treade downe wt your feete the residue of your pasture?

[Page 97]

[The noble plant.]



and to haue drunke of the deepe waters, but yee must trouble the residue with your feete?
19 And my sheepe eate that which yee haue troden with your feete, and drinke that which ye haue troubled with your feete.

20 Therefore thus sayth the Lorde God vnto them, behold, I, euen I wil iudge betweene the fat sheepe and the leane sheepe.

21 Because ye haue thrust with side and with shoulder, & pusht al the weake with your hornes, till ye haue scattered them abroade,

22 Therefore wil I helpe my sheepe, and they shal no more be spoyled, & I wil iudge betweene sheepe and sheepe.

23 And I wil set vp a shepherd ouer them, and he shall feede them, euen my seruant [Note: [k] Meaning Christ, of whom Dauid was a figure, Iere. 30.9. hose.3.5. ] Dauid, he shal feede them, and he shalbe their shepherd.

24 And I the Lord will be their God, and my seruant Dauid shalbe the prince amog them. I the Lord haue spoken it.

25 And I will make with them a couenant of peace, and will cause the euil beastes to cease out of the land: and they shal [Note: [l] This declareth, that vnder Christ the flocke should be truely deliuered from sinne, and hell, & so be safely preserued in the church where they should neuer perish. ] dwel safely in the wildernesse, and sleepe in the woods.

26 And I wil set them, as a blessing, euen roud about my mountaine: and I will cause rayne to come downe in due season, & there shalbe raine of blessing.

27 And the [Note: [m] The fruites of Gods grace shal appeare in great abundance in his Church. ] tree of the fielde shal yeeld her fruite, and the earth shall giue her fruite, and they shalbe safe in their land, and shal know that I am the Lord, when I haue broken the cordes of their yoke, & deliuered them out of the hands of those that serued themselues of them.

28 And they shall no more be spoyled of the heathen, neither shall the beastes of the land deuoure them, but they shal dwell safely and none shal make them afrayd.

29 And I will rayse vp for them a [Note: [n] That is the rod that shal come out of the roote of Ishai, Isa.11.1. ] plant of renoume, & they shalbe no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither beare the reproche of the heathen any more.

30 Thus shall they vnderstande, that I the Lorde their God am with them, and that they, euen the house of Israel, are my people, sayth the Lord God.

31 And yee my sheepe, the sheepe of my pasture are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God.



CHAP. XXXV.


2 The destruction that shall come on mount Seir, because they troubled the people of the Lord.

1 Moreouer the worde of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

2 Sonne of man, Set thy face against mount [Note: [a] Where the Idumeans dwelt. ] Seir, and prophesie against it,

3 And say vnto it, Thus sayth the Lord God, Behold, O mount Seir, I come against thee, and I wil stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee desolate and waste.

4 I wil lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, & thou shalt knowe that I am the Lord.

5 Because thou hast had a perpetuall hatred and hast put the children of Israel to flight by the force of the sword in the time of their calamitie, when their [Note: [b] When by their punishment I called them from their iniquitie. ] iniquitie had an ende,

6 Therefore as I liue, sayth the Lorde God, I wil prepare thee vnto blood, and blood shal pursue thee: except thou [Note: [c] Except thou repent thy former crueltie. ] hate blood, euen blood shal pursue thee.

[The enemie spoyled.]




7 Thus will I make mount Seir desolate and waste, and cut off from it him that passeth out & him that returneth.

8 And I will fill his mountaines with his slayne men: in thine hilles, and in thy valleys and in all thy riuers shal they fall, that are slayne with the sworde.

9 I wil make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not [Note: [d] To wit, to these former estate. ] returne, and ye shall knowe that I am the Lord.

10 Because thou hast said, [Note: [e] Meaning, Israel and Iudah. ] These two nations, and these two countreys shalbe mine, and we wil possesse them (seeing the Lord was [Note: [f] And so by sighting against Gods people, they should go about to put him out of his owne possessio. ] there)

11 Therefore as I liue, sayth the Lorde God, I wil euen do according to thy [Note: [g] As thou hast done cruelly, so shalt thou be cruelly handled. ] wrath, and according to thine indignation which thou hast vsed in thine hatred against them: & I wil make my selfe knowen among [Note: [h] Shewing, that when God punisheth the enemies, the godly ought to consider that he hath a care ouer them, & so prayse his Name: and also that the wicked rage as though there were no God, til they feele his hand to their destruction. ] them whe I haue iudged thee.

12 And thou shalt know, that I the Lord haue heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountaines of Israel, saying, They lye waste, they are giuen vs to be deuoured.

13 Thus with your mouthes ye haue boasted against me, & haue multiplied your words against me: I haue heard them.

14 Thus sayth the Lorde God, So shall all the world reioyce when I shal make thee desolate.

15 As thou diddest reioyce at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I doe vnto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea wholly, & they shall know, that I am the Lord.


CHAP. XXXVI.


8 He promiseth to deliuer Israel from the Gentiles. 22 The benefites done vnto the Iewes, are to be ascribed to the mercie of God, & not vnto their deseruings. 26 God renueth our hearts, that we may walke in his commandements.

1 Also thou sonne of man, prophesie vnto the [Note: Chap.6.2. ] mountaines of Israel, & say, Ye mountaines of Israel, heare the word of the Lord.

2 Thus saith the Lord God, because the [Note: [a] That is, the Idumean. ] enemie hath sayde against you, Aha, euen the [Note: [b] That is, Ierusalem, which for Gods promises was the chiefest of all the worlde. ] hye places of the world are ours in possession,

3 Therefore prophesie, & say, Thus sayth the Lord God, Because that they haue made you desolate, & swallowed you vp on euery side, that ye might be a possession vnto the residue of the heathen, & ye are come vnto the lippes & [Note: [c] Ye are made a matter of talke & derision to all the worlde. ] tongues of men, and vnto the reproch of the people,

4 Therefore ye mountaines of Israel, heare the worde of the Lord God, Thus sayth the Lord God to the mountaines & to the hilles, to the riuers, and to the valleys, and to the waste, and desolate places, and to the cities that are forsaken: which are spoyled & had in derision of the residue of the heathen that are round about.

5 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Surely in the fire of mine indignation haue I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which [Note: [d] They appointed with themselues to haue it, & therefore came with Nebuchad-nezzar against Ierusalem for this purpose. ] haue taken my lande for their possession, with the ioy of all their heart, and with despitefull mindes to cast it out for a pray.

6 Prophesie therfore vpon the land of Israel, and say vnto the mountaines, and to the hilles, to the riuers, & to the valleys, Thus sayth the Lorde God, Behold, I haue spoken in mine indignation, and in my wrath, because yee haue suffered the [Note: [e] Because you haue bene a laughing stocke vnto them. ] shame of the heathen,

7 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, I haue [Note: [f] By making a solemne othe, reade Chap.20.5. ] lifted vp mine hand, surely the heathen that are [Page]

[Comfort to Israel.]



about you, shal beare their shame.

8 But you, O mountaines of Israel, yee shall [Note: [g] God declareth his mercies and goodnes toward his Church, who still preserueth his, euen when he destroyeth his enemies. ] shoote forth your branches, and bring foorth your fruite to my people of Israel: for they are ready to come.

9 For behold, I come vnto you, & I wil turne vnto you, and ye shalbe tilled and sowen.

10 And I wil multiply the men vpon you, euen all the house of Israel wholly, & the cities shalbe inhabited, & the desolate places shalbe builded.

11 And I wil multiply vpon you man & beast, and they shal encrease, and bring fruite, and I will cause you to dwell after your olde estate, & I will bestowe benefites vpon you more then [Note: [h] Which was accomplished vnder Christ, to whom al these temporal deliuerances did direct them. ] at the first, and ye shal know that I am the Lord.

12 Yea, I wil cause men to walke vpon [Note: [i] That is, vpon the mountaines of Ierusalem. ] you, euen my people Israel, and they shall possesse [Note: Or, thee. ] you, and ye shalbe their inheritance, and ye shal no more henceforth depriue them of men.

13 Thus sayth the Lord God, because they say vnto you, Thou [Note: [k] This the enemies imputed as the reproch of the land, which God did for the sinnes of the people according to his iust iudgements. ] land deuourest vp men, & hast bene a waster of thy people,

14 Therefore thou shalt deuoure men no more, neither waste thy people henceforth, sayth the Lord God,

15 Neither will I cause men to heare in thee the shame of the heathen any more, neither shalt thou beare the reproche of the people any more, neither shalt cause thy folke to fal any more, saith the Lord God.

16 ¶ Moreouer the word of the Lorde came vnto me, saying,

17 Sonne of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their owne lande, they defiled it by their owne wayes, & by their deedes: their way was before me as the filthinesse of the menstruous.

18 Wherfore I powred my wrath vpon them, for the blood that they had shed in the land, and for their idoles, wherewith they had polluted it.

19 And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries for according to their wayes, and according to their deedes, I iudged them.

20 [Note: Isa.52 5. rom.2.24. ] And when they entred vnto the heathen, whither they went, they polluted mine holy Name, when they sayd of them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone out of his land.

21 But I fauoured mine holy [Note: [l] And therefore would not suffer my Name to be had in contempt, as the heathen would haue reproched me, if I had suffred my Church to perish. ] Name which the house of Israel had polluted among the heathen, whither they went.

22 Therfore say vnto the house of Israel, Thus saith ye Lord God, I doe not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine [Note: [m] This excludeth from man al dignitie, & meane to deserue any thing by, seeing that God referreth ye whole to himselfe, & that only for the glory of his holy Name. ] holy Names sake, which yee polluted among the heathen whither ye went.

23 And I wil sanctifie my great Name, which was polluted among the heathen, among whome you haue polluted it, and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, sayth the Lorde God, when I shalbe sanctified in you before [Note: Or, your. ] their eyes.

24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your owne land.

25 Then wil I powre cleane [Note: [n] That is, his Spirit whereby he reformeth the heart and regenerateth his, Isa.44.3. ] water vpon you, and ye shalbe cleane: yea, from all your filthines, and from all your idoles wil I clense you.

26 [Note: Iere.32.39. chap.11.19. ] A newe heart also will I giue you, and a new spirit wil I put within you, and I will take away the stonie heart out of your body, and I will giue you an heart of flesh.

[The drie bones.]




27 And I will put my spirite within you, and cause you to walke in my statutes, and ye shall keepe my iudgements and do them.

28 And ye shall dwell in the land, that I gaue to your fathers, and ye shalbe my people, & I will be your God.

29 I will also deliuer you from all your filthinesse, and I will call for [Note: [o] Vnder the abundance of temporall benefites he concludeth the spirituall graces. ] corne, and will increase it, and lay no famine vpon you.

30 For I will multiplie the fruite of the trees, & the increase of the fielde, that ye shal beare no more the reproch of famine among the heathen.

31 Then shal ye remember your owne wicked wayes, & your deedes that were not good, & shal iudge your selues worthie to haue bene [Note: [p] Ye shal come to true repentance, & thinke your selues vnworthy to be of the nomber of Gods creatures for your ingratitude against him. ] destroyed for your iniquities, and for your abominations.

32 Be it knowen vnto you that I do not this for your sakes, sayth the Lord God: therefore, O ye house of Israel, be ashamed, and confounded for your owne wayes.

33 Thus sayth the Lord God, What time as I shall haue clensed you from all your iniquities, I will cause you to dwel in the cities, & the desolate places shalbe builded.

34 And the desolate land shalbe tilled, whereas it lay waste in the sight of all that passed by.

35 For they sayd, This waste land was like the garden of Eden, and these waste & desolate and ruinous cities were strong, and were inhabited.

36 Then the residue of the heathen that are left round about you, shal [Note: [q] He declareth that it ought not to be referred to the soyle or plentifulnes of the earth that any countrey is rich, & abundant, but onely to Gods mercies, as his plagues, and curses declare, when he maketh it barren. ] know that I the Lord builde the ruinous places, and plant the desolate places: I the Lord haue spoken it, and wil do it.

37 Thus saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be sought of ye house of Israel, to performe it vnto them: I wil encrease them with men like a flocke.

38 As the holy flocke, as the flocke of Ierusalem in their solemne feastes, so shall the desolate cities be filled with flockes of men, and they shal know, that I am the Lord.


CHAP. XXXVII.


1 He prophecieth the bringing againe of the people, being in captiuitie. 16 He sheweth the vnion of the ten tribes with the two.

1 The hand of the Lord was vpon me, & caryed me out in ye spirit of ye Lord, & set me downe in ye mids of the [Note: Or, valley. ] field, which was full of [Note: [a] He sheweth by a greater miracle, that God hath power, & also will deliuer his people from their captiuitie, in asmuch as he is able to giue life to the dead bones, & bodies, and raise them vp againe. ] bones.

2 And he led me round about by them, and beholde, they were very many in the open fielde, and lo, they were very drie.

3 And he sayde vnto me, Sonne of man, can these bones liue? And I answered, O Lorde God, thou knowest.

4 Againe he sayde vnto me, Prophecie vpon these bones and say vnto them, O ye dry bones, heare the word of the Lord.

5 Thus saith the Lord God vnto these bones, Behold, I wil cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall liue.

6 And I will lay sinewes vpon you, & make flesh growe vpon you, & couer you with skinne, and put breath in you, that ye may liue, and yee shal know that I am the Lord.

7 So I prophecied, as I was commanded: and as I prophecied, there was a noyse, and beholde, there was a shaking, & the bones came together, bone to his bone.

8 And when I beheld, loe, the sinewes, & the flesh grewe vpon them, and aboue, the skinne couered them, but there was no breath in them.

9 Then sayd he vnto me, Prophecie vnto the

[Page 98]

[The vnitie of all the tribes.]



winde: prophecie, sonne of man, and say to the winde, Thus sayth the Lord God, Come from the foure [Note: [b] Signifying, all parts whereas the Israelites were scattered; that is, the faithful shalbe brought to ye same vnitie of spirit, & doctrine, wheresoeuer they are scattered through the world. ] windes, O breath, and breathe vpon these slayne, that they may liue.
10 So I prophecied as hee had commaunded me: and the breath came into them, and they liued, and stood vp vpon their feete, an exceeding great armie.

11 Then he sayd vnto me, Sonne of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is gone, and we are cleane cut off.

12 Therefore prophecie, and say vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God, Beholde, my people, I will open your graues, and cause you to come vp out of your sepulchres, and bring you into the lande of Israel,

13 And yee shall knowe that I am the Lorde, [Note: [c] That is, when I haue brought you out of those places, and townes where you are captiues. ] when I haue opened your graues, O my people, and brought you vp out of your sepulchres,

14 And shall put my Spirit in you, and ye shall liue, and I shal place you in your owne land: then yee shall knowe that I the Lorde haue spoken it, and performed it, sayth the Lord.

15 ¶ The word of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

16 Moreouer thou sonne of man, take thee a piece of wood, and write vpon it, Vnto Iudah, and to the children of Israel his companions the take [Note: [d] Which signifieth the ioyning together of ye two houses of Israel, and Iudah. ] another piece of wood, and write vpon it, Vnto Ioseph the tree of Ephraim, and to al the house of Israel his companions.

17 And thou shalt ioyne the one to another into one tree, & they shalbe as one in thine hand.

18 And when the children of thy people shall speake vnto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shewe vs what thou meanest by these?

19 Thou shalt answere them, Thus sayeth the Lord God, Behold, I wil take the tree [Note: [e] That is, ye house of Israel. ] of Ioseph, which is in the hande of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellowes, and will put them with him, euen with the tree of Iudah, and make them one tree, and they shalbe one in mine hand.

20 And the pieces of wood, whereon thou writest, shalbe in thine hand, in their sight.

21 And say vnto them, Thus saith the Lorde God, Beholde, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and wil gather them on euery side, & bring them into their owne land.

22 And I will make them one people in the lande, vpon the mountaines of Israel, [Note: Iohn 10.16. ] and one king shalbe king to them all: and they shalbe no more two peoples, neither bee deuided any more henceforth into two kingdomes.

23 Neither shall they bee polluted any more with their idoles, nor with their abominatios, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will saue them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they haue sinned, and will clense them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.

24 And Dauid my [Note: Isa.40.11. iere.23. 5. chap.34.23. dan.9.24. ] seruant shalbe king ouer them, and they all shall haue one shepheard: they shall also walke in my iudgements, and obserue my statutes, and doe them.

25 And they shall dwell in the [Note: [f] Meaning, that ye elect by Christ shal dwell in ye heauenly Ierusale, which is meant by the land of Canaan. ] lande, that I haue giuen vnto Iaakob my seruant, where your fathers haue dwelt, and they shal dwel therein, euen they, and their sonnes, & their sonnes sonnes for euer, and my seruant Dauid shall bee their

[A couenant of peace.]



prince for euer.

26 Moreouer, I will make [Note: Psal.109 4.and 116.2. ] a couenant of peace with them: it shall be an euerlasting couenant with them, and I wil place them, and multiply them, and wil set my Sanctuarie among them for euermore.

27 My tabernacle also shalbe with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shalbe my people.

28 Thus the heathen shall knowe, that I the Lord do sanctifie Israel, when my Sanctuarie shall be among them for euermore.



CHAP. XXXVIII.


2 He prophecieth that Gog and Magog shall fight with great power against the people of God. 21 Their destruction.

1 And the worde of the Lorde came vnto mee, saying,

2 Sonne of man, set thy face against [Note: [a] Which was a people that came of Magog ye sonne of Iaphet, Gen. 10. 2. Magog also here signifieth a certaine countrey, so that by these two countries, which had the gouernment of Grecia & Italie, he meaneth the principall enemies of ye Church, Reue.20.8. ] Gog, and against the lande of Magog, the chiefe prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophecie against him,

3 And say, Thus sayth the Lord God, Behold, I come against thee, O Gog the chiefe prince of Meshech and Tubal.

4 And I wil destroy thee, & put hookes in thy chawes, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine host both horses, and horsemen, all clothed with al sorts of armour, eue a great multitude with bucklers, and shieldes, all [Note: [b] He sheweth that the enemies should bend themselues against the Church, but it should be to their owne destruction. ] handling swords.

5 They of [Note: [c] The Persians, Ethiopians, and men of Aphrica. ] Paras, of Cush, and Phut with the, euen all they that beare shielde and helmet.

6 [Note: [d] Gomer was Iaphets sonne and Togarmah ye sonne of Gomer, & are thought to be they that inhabite Asia minor. ] Gomer and all his bands, and the house of Togarmah of the North quarters, & al his bands, and much people with thee.

7 Prepare thy selfe, & [Note: [e] Signifying, that all the people of the world should assemble theselues against the Church and Christ their head. ] make thee ready, both thou, and al thy multitude, that are assembled vnto thee, and be thou their sauegard.

8 After many dayes thou shalt bee visited: for in the latter yeres thou shalt come into the land, that hath bene destroyed with the sworde, and is gathered out of many people vpon the mountaines of Israel, which haue long lien waste: yet [Note: Or, it: meaning, the land of Israel. ] they haue bene brought out of the people, and they shall dwell all safe.

9 Thou shalt ascende and come vp like a tempest, and shalt be like a cloude to couer the land, both thou, and all thy bandes, and many people with thee.

10 Thus saith the Lorde God, Euen at ye same time shall many things come into thy minde, and thou shalt thinke [Note: [f] That is, to molest and destroy the Church. ] euil thoughts.

11 And thou shalt say, I wil go vp to the land that hath no walled towres: [Note: [g] Meaning, Israel which had nowe bene destroyed, & was not yet built againe: declaring hereby the simplicitie of the godly, who seeke not so much to fortifie themselues by outward force as to depend on ye prouidence and goodnesse of God. ] I will goe to them that are at rest, and dwell in safetie, which dwell all without walles, and haue neither barres nor gates,

12 Thinking to spoyle the pray, and to take a bootie, to turne thine hande vpon the desolate places that are nowe inhabited, and vpon the people, that are gathered out of the nations which haue gotten cattell and goods, and dwell in the middes of the land.

13 Sheba and Dedan, and the marchantes of Tarshish with all the lions thereof shall say vnto thee, [Note: [h] One enemie shal enuie another because euery one shall thinke to haue the spoyle of the Church. ] Art thou come to spoyle the praye? hast thou gathered thy multitude to take a booty? to cary away siluer and golde, to take away cattell and goods, and to spoyle a great pray?

14 Therefore, sonne of man, prophecie, and saye vnto Gog, Thus sayeth the Lorde God, In that day when my people of Israel [Note: [i] Shalt not thou spye thine occasions to come against my Church, when they suspect nothing? ] dwelleth safe, [Page]

[Gogs destruction.]



shalt thou not knowe it?

15 And come fro thy place out of the North partes, thou and much people with thee? all shall ride vpon horses, euen a great multitude and a mightie armie.

16 And thou shalt come vp against my people of Israel, as a cloude to couer the land: thou shalt be in the [Note: [k] Meaning, in the last age, and from the comming of Christ vnto the end of the world. ] latter dayes, and I will bring thee vpon my lande, that the heathen may knowe mee, when I [Note: [l] Signifying, that God will be sanctified by mainteining his Church, and destroying his enemies, as Chap. 36.23.and 37.28. ] shalbe sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

17 Thus saith the Lord God, Art not thou he, of whom I haue spoken in olde time, [Note: [m] Hereby he declareth that none affliction can come to the Church, whereof they haue not bene aduertised aforetime, to teach them to indure all thinges with more patience when they knowe that God hath so ordeined. ] by ye hand of my seruants the Prophets of Israel which prophecied in those dayes and yeeres, that I woulde bring thee vpon them?

18 At the same time also whe Gog shal come against the land of Israel, sayth the Lord God, my wrath shall arise in mine anger.

19 For in mine indignation and in the fire of my wrath haue I spoken it: surely at yt time there shalbe a great shaking in the land of Israel,

20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the foules of the heauen, & the beasts of the field & al that moue & creepe vpo the earth, and al ye men yt are vpo the earth, shal tremble at my presence, & the mountaines shalbe ouerthrowen, and the [Note: [n] All meanes whereby man shoulde thinke to saue himselfe shall fayle, the affliction in those dayes shall be so great, and the enemies destruction shalbe so terrible. ] staires shall fall, and euery wall shall fall to the ground.

21 For I will call for a sworde against him [Note: [o] Against the people of Gog and Magog. ] throughout all my mountaines, saith the Lorde God: euery mans sword shalbe against his brother.

22 And I will pleade against him with pestilence, and with blood, and I will cause to raine vpon him and vpon his bands, and vpon the great people, that are with him, a sore raine, and hailestones, fire, and brimstone.

23 Thus will I be [Note: Chap.36.23.and 37.28. ] magnified, and sanctified, and knowen in the eyes of many nations, & they shall knowe, that I am the Lord.


CHAP. XXXIX.


1 Hee sheweth the destruction of Gog and Magog. 11 The graues of Gog and his host. 17 They shalbe deuoured of birds and beastes. 23 Wherefore the house of Israel is captiue. 24 Their bringing againe from captiuitie is promised.

1 Therefore, thou sonne of man, prophecie against Gog, and say, Thus sayeth the Lorde God, Behold, I come against thee, O Gog, ye chiefe prince of Meshech and Tubal.

2 And I will destroy thee [Note: [a] Or, destroy thee with sixe plagues, as Chap.38.22. ] and leaue but the sixt part of thee, and will cause thee to come vp from the North partes and will bring thee vpon the mountaines of Israel:

3 And I will smite thy bowe out of thy left hand, and I will cause thine arrowes to fall out of thy right hand.

4 Thou [Note: [b] Meaning, that by the vertue of Gods worde the enemie shalbe destroyed wheresoeuer he assayleth his Church. ] shalt fal vpon the mountaines of Israel, and all thy bands and the people, that is with thee: for I will giue thee vnto the birdes and to euery feathered foule and beast of the fielde to be deuoured.

5 Thou shalt fall vpon the open fielde: for I haue spoken it, sayth the Lord God.

6 And I will sende a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell safely in the [Note: [c] That is, among all nations where the enemies of my people dwell, seeme they neuer so farre separate. ] yles, and they shall knowe that I am the Lord.

7 So will I make mine holy Name knowen in the middes of my people Israel, and I will not suffer them to pollute mine holy Name any more, and the heathen shal knowe that I am the Lord, the holy one of Israel.

[A great sacrifice.]




8 Beholde, [Note: [d] That is, this plague is fully determined in my counsel & cannot be changed. ] it is come, and it is done, sayeth the Lord God: and this is the day whereof I haue spoken.

9 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel, shall [Note: [e] After this destruction ye church shall haue great peace and tranquilitie, & burne all their weapons because they shall no more feare the enemie: and this is chiefly meant of the accomplishment of Christs kingdome, when by their head Christ all enemies shalbe ouercome. ] goe forth, and shall burne and set fire vpon the weapons, and on the shieldes, and bucklers, vpon the bowes, and vpon the arrowes, and vpon the staues in their handes, and vpon the speares, and they shall burne them with fire seuen yeeres.

10 So that they shall bring no wood out of the fielde, neither cut downe any out of the forestes: for they shall burne the weapons with fire, and they shall robbe those that robbed them, and spoyle those that spoyled them, sayeth the Lorde God.

11 And at the same time will I giue vnto Gog [Note: [f] Which declareth that the enemies shall haue an horrible fall. ] a place there for burial in Israel, euen the valley whereby men go towarde the East part of the sea: and it shall cause them that passe by, to stoppe their [Note: [g] For the stinke of the carkeises. ] noses, and there shall they bury Gog with all his multitude: and they shall call it the valley of [Note: Or, of the multitude of Gog. ] Hamon-Gog.

12 [Note: [h] Meaning, a long time. ] And seuen moneths long shall the house of Israel be burying of the, that they may clense the land.

13 Yea, all the people of the lande shall burie them, and they shall haue a name when I shall be glorified, saith the Lord God.

14 And they shall chuse out men to goe continually through the [Note: [i] Partly that the holy land should not be polluted, and partly for the compassion that the children of God haue, euen on their enemies. ] lande with them that trauaile, to bury those that remaine vpon ye ground, and clense it: they shall search to the ende of seuen moneths.

15 And the trauailers that passe through the land, if any see a mans bone, then shall he set vp a signe by it, till the buriers haue buried it, in the valley of Hamon-Gog.

16 And also the name of the citie shalbe [Note: Or, multitude. ] Hamonah: thus shall they clense the land.

17 And thou sonne of man, thus sayeth the Lorde God, Speake vnto euery feathered foule, and to all the beastes of the fielde, Assemble your selues, and come [Note: [k] Whereby he signifieth the horrible destruction that should come vpon the enemies of his Church. ] gather your selues on euery side to my sacrifice: for I do sacrifice a great sacrifice for you vpon the mountaines of Israel, that ye may eate flesh, and drinke blood.

18 Ye shall eate the flesh of the valiant, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of the weathers, of the lambes, and of the goates, and of bullockes, euen of all fat beastes of Bashan.

19 And ye shall eate fat till you be full, and drinke blood, till ye be drunken of my sacrifice, which I haue sacrificed for you.

20 Thus you shalbe filled at my table wt horses and chariots, wt valiant men, and with al men of warre, sayth the Lord God.

21 And I wil set my glory among the heathe, and all the heathen shall see my iudgement, that I haue executed, and mine hand, which I haue layed vpon them.

22 So the house of Israel shall knowe, that I am the Lord their God fro that day and so forth.

23 And the heathen shall knowe, that ye house of Israel went into captiuitie for [Note: [l] The heathen shal knowe that they ouercame not my people by their strength, neither yet by the weakenes of mine arme, but that this was for my peoples sinnes. ] their iniquitie, because they trespassed against me: therefore hid I my face from them, and gaue them into ye hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

24 According to their vncleannes, and according to their transgressions haue I done vnto the, and hid my face from them.


[Page 99]

[Deliuerance from captiuitie promised.]




25 Therefore thus sayth the Lord God, Nowe will I bring againe the captiuitie of Iaakob, and haue compassion vpon the whole house of Israel, and wil be ielous for mine holy Name,

26 After that they haue borne their shame, & all their transgression, whereby they haue transgressed against me, whe they dwelt safely in their land, and without feare of any.

27 When I haue brought them againe from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies landes, and am [Note: Chap.36.23. ] sanctified in them in the sight of many nations,

28 Then shal they know, that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captiuitie among the heathen: but I haue gathered them vnto their owne land, and haue left none of them any more there,

29 Neither wil I hide my face any more from them: for I haue powred out my Spirit vpon the house of Israel, sayth the Lord God.


CHAP. XL.


The restoring of the citie and the Temple.

1 In the fiue and twentieth yeere of our being in captiuitie, in the [Note: [a] The Iewes counted the beginning of the yeere after two sortes: for their feasts they began to count in March, and for their other affaires in September: so that this is to be vnderstand of September. ] beginning of the yeere, in the tenth day of the moneth, in the fourteenth yeere after that the citie was smitten, in the selfe same day, the hande of the Lorde was vpon mee, and brought me thither.

2 Into the lande of Israel brought he me by [Note: Or, visions of God. ] a diuine vision, & set me vpon a very hie mountaine, whereupon was as the building of a citie, toward the South.

[An Angel with a measure.]




3 And he brought me thither, and beholde, there was a [Note: [b] Which was an Angel in forme of a man, that came to measure out this building. ] man, whose similitude was to looke to, like brasse, with a linnen thread in his hand, and a reede to measure with: and he stoode at the gate.

4 And the man said vnto me, Sonne of man, beholde with thine eyes, and heare with thine eares, and set thine heart vpon all that I shal shew thee: for to the intent, that they might be shewed thee, art thou brought hither: declare al that thou seest, vnto the house of Israel.
[Note: [Subnote: THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGVRE which beginneth, verse 5.]

Chap.XL. Verse 5. The wal thee compasseth about the Temple & the courts, as appeareth in the second and in the great figure.

A B. The thicknesse of the wall was sixe cubits: for so long the reede was.

A C. The height of the wall, which was also sixe cubites: this wall conteined two thousand cubites, that is, on the East side 500.

C H. And on the North side 500.

H I. As much on the South side.

C K. And 500. on the West side.

I K. This wall did separate the Temple from the citie, Chap. 42.20.

Verse 6. This gate in the great figure is marked with D. vnto the which appertaine seuen steppes. E

Thence they goe into the porche where are sixe chambers F. which porch was closed with a wall G.

Verse 7 E F G. The length.

The breadth E O G.

The space of fiue cubites betweene the chambers and so much space was on this side, and beyond the chambers G.

From the threshold inward to the porch was sixe cubites A B.

B C. The porch.

Verse 9. C D. The vpper postes.

H I The breadth of the alley of the porch.

B C. The length of the porch, which was inward.

Vers.11. L M. the breadth of ye gate, & the height A N.

Vers.12. The space before the chabers as a litle galery O.

Vers 13. The breadth of the whole porch from the vnmost chamber to the gate 25. cubites P Q

In the 14. verse he speaketh of the vpper postes, or pentises which in all were 60. cubits: for euery chamber had sixe, and the threshold, & lintell of the doore, either 12. K figures.

Vers.15. A D. The fiftie cubites.

Vers.17. The outward court R so called, because it was the outward court in respect of the Temple, as appeareth in ye great figure N. but it is the inner court in respect of ye porch, which hath bene described.

S. The thirtie chambers, fifteene on a side.

The two litle gates 6. which are by ye great gate T.

Vers.19. The lower gate A which had seuen steps, and the gate within eight. T. betweene A T were 100. cubites, and had as much from South to North VX.

Vers.20. This must be considered in the great figure.

The outwarde court in respect of the Temple M R.

The North side.

The porch. S.

The court without T.

The length of the porch with the chambers, as in the East side. V X.

The breadth 25 cubites Y Z.

Vers.23. The gate of the inner court B. ouer against the gate of the outward court R. and towarde the East C. an hudreth cubites R B.

Vers.24. The South gate in the great figure d.

The outwarde court e.

Vers.27. The inner court gate. f

An hundreth cubites d f which was the length of a court, and his chambers.

Vers.28. The inner court g.

The eight steps are hid with the building, but they are like them of the East gate Q. for all the courts were of one measure, quantitie and facion.

Vers.32. The inner court on the East side N. And so in all he maketh sixe courts, two on the East side, two on the North, and two on the South side. Looke in the great figure.

Vers.38. He speaketh of sixe chambers, which were in the porch of the inner court on the North side i

The entry of the chambers, that is, the doores, were vnder the vpper postes or pentises, which hanged ouer the chambers as also did ouer the gate. Looke in the great figure.

Vers.39. In the porch of the inner court were foure tables K. & as many in the outwarde court S. a cubite, & an halfe long, and as broad, and one cubite high.

Vers.44. The chambers in the inner porche on the North side for the singers L. but the perspectiue hindereth ye sight, therefore behold them which are in the East court for they are all alike: likewise on the South side. The Prophet was now in ye East court, where he saw the altar measured, & describeth one rowe of chambers, which was for the Priestes.

Vers.45. He speaketh of the two rowes of chambers, which were in the inner court N. whereof they on the North side were for ye priestes that sacrificed O. and they on the South side for the that kept the Temple N. which chambers were East and by South, as the other O were East and by North. These must bee seene in the great figure.

Vers.47. The altar p.

Vers.48. He entred by the gate Q to come into the porch of the Temple R

The which Temple is here described more at large, because the things here mentioned might the better be vnderstand.

Vers.48. By the postes of the porch he meaneth the wall which was fiue cubites thicke on either side of the alley or porche.1.2.

The two litle gates in the side of the porche 3.4. which were to goe to the Priestes chambers that were by the Temple, A B.

Vers.49. The length of the porch 20. cubites 5.6.

And the breadth eleuen. 7.8.

The steps whereby the Prophet came into the porch of the Temple 9.7.

The two pillars 10.

Chap.XLI. Vers.1. The vpper postes or pentises, meaning, the tops of the chambers on the sides of the Temple. A B.

The seconde chamber G goeth out more then the first R. and the thirde A more then the seconde.

Verse.2. The breadth of the entrie or gate tenne cubites C D

Fiue cubites from the Temple wall to the gate on oyther side E C D F.

The length of fourtie cubites from the Temple gate to the most holy place 8.1.

The breadth of the Temple 20 cubites E F. or G.

P He speaketh not here of the height: therefore it is made of 30. cubites according to Salomons.

Verse 3. The Angel went into the most holy place.

The poste of the entrie, that is, the thresholde, or thicknesse of the wall. H.I.

The gate 6. cubites. K L.

The breadth on eyther side the gate 7. cubites, M K. and L N. which make in all 20. cubites.

Verse 4. The length 20. cubites G O. for it was square.

Verse 5. The first chamber was 4. cubites. Q R.

The seconde fiue, S T. and the thirde sixe A B.

There were three heights or stages of chambers. R S A.

The turning stayre can not be shewed in the figure, but may easely be conceiued.

Vers.8. The foundations of sixe cubites, meaning the hie chamber was so and the nether from thence seemed so likewise by a perpendicular line or plommet, B Z.

Vers.9. The chamber without was the hie chamber, and fro that chamber the wall was but fiue cubites thicke B X Y: for downeward it was sixe. Q 6.

Vers.10. The chabers on the one side were distant from them on the other side 20 cubites, which was the breadth of the Temple.

Vers.11. The dores of the chambers on the Northside, opened toward the North V and they on the Southside toward ye South R for there was an alley of fiue cubites round about the Temple V Z and was so closed with a wall 11.

Vers.12. The building, or the great place compassed with a wall of fiue cubites thicke, and was farther off the Temple then the alley, or separate place *, and this is more plainely set forth in the great figure.

Vers.16. He declareth that whatsoeuer was of stone worke from the bottome to ye top, was couered with wood on the East, South, and North side.

Vers.22. The altar V which was three cubites high Y X. and two cubites long Y Z.

Chap.XLII. Vers.1. Hauing described the length and bredth of the Temple, he commeth to the outward court on the Northside: T. This appeareth in the great figure.

He brought me into the chamber: that is, the rowe of chabers, which were toward the separate place Westward. t.

Vers.2. He meaneth that the North was an hundreth cubites long. x.y. and in breadth fiftie. b.X.

Vers.4. This gallerie appeareth in the great figure by this nomber 12.

Vers.5. These chabers were contrary facioned to the of the Temple.

Vers.8. So that the wall for the chambers of the outward court and the wall of the inner, was either fiftie cubites, and the whole court an hundreth.

Vers.9. Vnder these chambers were entries, or doores to passe fro one place to another, which are noted euer by z in the great figure.

Vers.10.11. The chabers p of the East court M were like to the chambers of the North court.

Vers.13. Which chambers were in the East gate toward the North and South 3. and toward the separate place or backe building .4. which chambers are called holy, because they were by the Temple.

Chap.XLIIII. Vers.1. The East gate D in the great figure.

Chap.XLVI. Vers.1 The inner court gate O whereunto they went vp by eight steppes as appeareth in the great figure.

Vers.9. He that entreth in by the North gate R. shal go out by the South gate D and contrary, and in going forwarde they worshipped in the middes M.

Vers.19. He describeth the Priests chambers, which were at the side of the Temple toward the North: and so commeth to ye place, which was on the West side S which vers. 21. is called the vtter court, in respect of the inner court, as also where the people were, was the vtter court in respect to this inner.

Vers.21. The litle court in euery corner, was fortye cubites long.7,8. and thirtie broad 8,9. & 7,9.

Vers.23. About the walles of these litle courts, which were as kitchins, were litle chambers for the cookes 10.

Chap.XLVII. Vers.1. The doore of the Temple R and from vnder the thresholde issued out waters, which came out of the Southside, and ran toward the East. Looke in the great figure 11.

]
5 And beholde, I sawe a wall on the outside of the house round about: and in the mans hand was a reede to measure with, of sixe cubites long, by the cubite, and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the buylding with one reede, and the height with one reede.

6 Then came he vnto the gate, which looketh towarde the East, and went vp the stayres thereof, and measured the [Note: Or, thresholde. ] poste of the gate, which was one reede broade, and [Note: Or, vpper post. ] the other poste of the gate, which was one reede broade.

7 And euery chamber was one reede long, & one reede broad, & betweene the chambers were fiue cubites: & the post of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reede.

8 He measured also the porche of the gate within with one reede.

9 Then measured he the porch of the gate of eight cubites, and the [Note: Or, pentifes. ] postes thereof, of two cubites, and the porch of the gate was inward.
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[The buildings of the Temple.]




10 And the chambers of the gate Eastwarde, were three on this side, and three on that side: they three were of one measure, and the postes had one measure on this side, and one on that side.

11 And he measured the breadth of the entrie of the gate ten cubites, and the height of the gate thirteene cubites.

12 The space also before the chambers was one cubite on this side, and the space was one cubite on that side, and the chambers were sixe cubites on this side and sixe cubites on that side.

13 He measured then the gate from the roufe of a chamber to the toppe of the gate: the breadth was fiue and twentie cubites, doore against doore.

14 He made also postes of threescore cubites, and the postes of the court, and of the gate had one measure round about.

15 And vpon the forefront of the entry of the gate vnto the forefront of the porch of the gate within were fiftie cubites.

16 And there were narrowe windowes in the chambers, & in their postes within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and the windowes went rounde about within: and vpon the postes were palme trees.

17 ¶ Then brought he me into the outwarde court, and lo, there were chambers, & a pauement made for the court round about, & thirtie chambers were vpon the pauement.

18 And the pauement was by the side of the gates ouer against the length of the gates, and the pauement was beneath.

19 Then hee measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate without, vnto the forefront of the court within, an hundreth cubits Eastward and Northward.

20 And the gate of the outwarde court, that looked toward the North, measured he after the length and breadth thereof.

21 And the chambers thereof were, three on this side, and three on that side, and the postes thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fiftie cubites, and the breadth fiue and twentie cubites.

22 And their windowes, and their arches with their palme trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the East, and the going vp vnto it had seuen steppes, and the arches therof were before them.

23 And the gate of the inner court stoode ouer against the gate towarde the North, and towarde the East, and hee measured from gate to gate an hundreth cubites.

24 After that, he brought mee towarde the South, and loe, there was a gate towarde the South, and hee measured the postes thereof, and the arches thereof according to these measures.

25 And there were windowes in it, and in the arches thereof round about, like those windowes: the height was fiftie cubites, and the breadth fiue and twentie cubites.

26 And there were seuen steps to go vp to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palme trees, one on this side, and another on that side vpon the post thereof.

27 ¶ And there was a gate in the inner court

[The buildings of the Temple.]



towarde the South, and he measured from gate to gate towarde the South an hundreth cubites.

28 And he brought me into the inner court by the South gate, and he measured the South gate according to these measures,

29 And the chambers thereof, and the postes thereof, and the arches thereof according to these measures, and there were windowes in it, and in the arches thereof rounde about, it was fiftie cubites long and fiue and twentie cubites broade.

30 And the arches round about were fiue and twenty cubites long, and fiue cubites broad.

31 And the arches thereof were towarde the vtter court, and palme trees were vpon the postes thereof, and the going vp to it had eight steppes.

32 ¶ Againe he brought me into ye inner court toward the East, and he measured the gate according to these measures.

33 And the chambers thereof, and the postes thereof, and the arches thereof were according to these measures, and there were windowes therein, and in the arches thereof round about, it was fiftie cubites long, and fiue and twentie cubites broade.

34 And the arches thereof were towarde the vtter court, and palme trees were vpon the postes thereof, on this side and on that side, & the going vp to it had eight steppes.

35 ¶ After he brought mee to the North gate, and measured it, according to these measures,

36 The chambers thereof, the postes thereof, and the arches thereof, and there were windowes therein round about: the height was fiftie cubits, and the breadth fiue and twentie cubites.

37 And the postes thereof were towarde the vtter court, and palme trees were vpon the postes thereof on this side, and on that side, & the going vp to it had eight steps.

38 And euery chamber, and the entrie thereof was vnder the postes of the gates: there they washed the burnt offring.

39 And in the porch of the gate stoode two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, vpon the which they slew the burnt offring, and the sinne offring, and the trespas offring.

40 And at the side beyond the steppes, at the entry of the North gate stoode two tables, and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate were two tables.

41 Foure tables were on this side, and foure tables on that side by the side of the gate, euen eight tables whereupon they slew their sacrifice.

42 And the foure tables were of hewen stone for the burnt offering, of a cubite and an halfe long, and a cubite and an halfe broade, and one cubite hie: whereupon also they layde the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offring and the sacrifice.

43 And within were borders an hand broade, fastened round about, and vpon the tables lay the flesh of the offring.

44 And without the inner gate were ye chambers of the singers in the inner Court, which was at the side of the North gate: and their prospect was towarde the South, and one was at the side of the East gate, hauing the prospect towarde the North.


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[The buildings of the Temple.]




45 And he said vnto me, This chamber whose prospect is towarde the South, is for the Priestes that haue the charge to keepe the house.

46 And the chamber whose prospect is toward the North, is for the Priestes that haue the charge to keepe the altar: these are the sonnes of Zadok among ye sonnes of Leui which may come neere to the Lord to minister vnto him.

47 So he measured the court, an hundreth cubites long, & an hundreth cubits broad, eue foure square: likewise the altar that was before ye house.

48 And hee brought mee to the porch of the house, and measured the postes of the porch, fiue cubites on this side, and fiue cubites on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubites on this side, and three cubites on that side.

49 The length of the porch was twentie cubites, and ye breadth eleuen cubites, & he brought me by the steps whereby they went vp to it, and there were pillars by the postes, one on this side, and another on that side.


CHAP. XLI.


1 The disposition and order of the building of the Temple and the other things thereto belonging.

1 Afterwarde, hee brought mee to the Temple, and measured the postes, sixe cubites broade on the one side, and sixe cubites broad on the

[The buildings of the Temple.]



other side, which was the breadth of the Tabernacle.

2 And the breadth of the entrie was tenne cubites, and the sides of the entrie were fiue cubites on the one side, and fiue cubites on the other side, and hee measured the length thereof fourtie cubites, and the breadth twentie cubites.

3 Then went hee in, and measured the postes of the entrie two cubites, and the entrie sixe cubites, and the breadth of the entrie seuen cubites.

4 So he measured the length thereof twentie cubites, and the breadth twentie cubites before the Temple. And he sayde vnto mee, This is the most holy place.

5 After, he measured the wall of the house, sixe cubites, and the breadth of euery chamber foure cubites rounde about the house, on euery side.

6 And the chambers were chamber vpon chaber, three and thirtie foote high, and they entred into the wall made for the chambers which was round about the house, that the postes might bee fastened therein, and not be fastened in the wall of the house.

7 And it was large and went rounde mounting vpwarde to the chambers: for the staire of the house was mounting vpwarde, rounde about the house: therefore the house was larger vpward: so they went vp from the lowest chamber to the hiest by the middes.
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[The buildings and chambers of the Temple.]




8 I sawe also the house hie rounde about: the foundations of the chambers were a full reede of fixe great cubites.

9 The thickenesse of the wall which was for the chamber without, was fiue cubites, and that which remained, was the place of the chambers that were within.

10 And betwene the chambers was the widenes of twentie cubites round about the House on euery side.

11 And the doores of the chambers were toward the place that remained, one doore toward the North, and another doore toward the South, and the breadth of the place that remained, was fiue cubites round about.

12 Nowe the building that was before the separate place toward the West corner, was seuentie cubites broad, and the wall of the building was fiue cubites thick, round about, and ye length ninetie cubites.

13 So he measured the house an hundreth cubites long, and the separate place and the building with the walles thereof were an hundreth cubites long.

14 Also the breadth of the forefront of the house and of the separate place towarde the East, was an hundreth cubites.

15 And hee measured the length of the building, ouer against the separate place, which was behinde it, and the chambers on the one side and on the other side an hundreth cubites with the Temple within, and the arches of the court.

16 The postes and the narowe windowes, and the chambers round about, on three sides ouer against the postes, sieled with cedar wood rounde about, and from the ground vp to the windowes, and the windowes were sieled.

17 And from aboue the doore vnto the inner house and without, and by all the wall rounde about within and without it was sieled according to the measure.

18 And it was made wt Cherubims and palme trees, so that a palme tree was betweene a Cherub and a Cherub: and euery Cherub had two faces.

19 So that the face of a man was towarde the palme tree on the one side, and the face of a lyon toward the palme tree on the other side: thus was it made through all the house round about.

20 From the grounde vnto aboue the doore were Cherubims and palme trees made as in the wall of the Temple.

21 The postes of the Temple were squared, & thus to looke vnto was the similitude and forme of the Sanctuarie.

22 The altar of wood was three cubites hie, and the length thereof two cubites, and the corners thereof and the length thereof and the sides thereof were of wood. And he sayd vnto me, This is the table that shalbe before the Lord.

23 And the Temple and the Sanctuarie had two doores.

24 And the doores had two wickets, euen two turning wickets, two wickets for one doore, and two wickets for another doore.

25 And vpon the doores of the Temple there were made Cherubims and palmetrees, like as was made vpon the walles, and there were thicke plankes vpon the forefront of the porch without.

26 And there were narow windowes & palme trees on the one side, and on the other side, by the

[The buildings and chambers of the Temple.]



sides of the porch, and vpon ye sides of the house, and thicke plankes.


CHAP. XLII.


Of the chambers of the Temple for the Priestes, and the holy things.

1 Then brought hee me into the vtter court by the way towarde the North, and he brought me into the chamber that was ouer against the separate place, and which was before the building toward the North.

2 Before ye length of an hundreth cubites, was the North doore, and it was fiftie cubites broad.

3 Ouer against the twentie cubites which were for the inner court, and ouer against the pauement, which was for the vtter court, was chamber against chamber in three rowes.

4 And before the chambers was a gallery of ten cubites wide, and within was a way of one cubite, and their doores towarde the North.

5 Nowe the chambers aboue were narower: for those chambers seemed to eate vp these, to wit, the lower, and those that were in the middes of the building.

6 For they were in three rowes, but had not pillars as the pillars of the court: therefore there was a difference from them beneath and from the middlemost, euen from the ground.

7 And the wall that was without ouer against the chambers, toward the vtter court on the forefront of the chambers, was fiftie cubites long.

8 For the length of the chambers that were in the vtter court, was fiftie cubites: and loe, before the Temple were an hundreth cubites.

9 And vnder these chambers was the entrie, on the East side, as one goeth into them from the outward court.

10 The chambers were in the thicknesse of the wall of the court towarde the East, ouer against the separate place, and ouer against the building.

11 And the way before them was after ye maner of the chambers, which were toward ye North, as long as they, and as broad as they: and all their entries were like, both according to their facions, and according to their doores.

12 And according to ye doores of ye chambers that were towarde the South, was a doore in the corner of the way, euen the way directly before the wall toward the East, as one entreth.

13 The said he vnto me, The North chambers and ye South chambers which are before ye separate place, they be holy chambers, wherein the Priests that approch vnto ye Lord, shal eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meate offering, and the sinne offering, and the trespasse offring: for the place is holy.

14 When the Priestes enter therein, they shall not go out of the holy place into the vtter court, but there they shall lay their garmentes wherein they minister: for they are holy, and shall put on other garmentes, and so shall approch to those things, which are for the people.

15 Nowe when he had made an ende of measuring the inner house, he brought mee forth toward the gate whose prospect is towarde the East, and measured it round about.

16 He measured the East side with the measuring rod, fiue hundreth reedes, euen with the measuring reede round about.

17 He measured also the Northside, fiue hundreth

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[God returneth. The Altar described.]



reedes, euen with the measuring reede rounde about.
18 And he measured the South [Note: Or, winde. ] side fiue hundreth reedes with the measuring reede.

19 He turned about also to the West side, and measured fiue hundreth reedes with the measuring reede.

20 He measured it by the foure sides: it had a wall round about, fiue hundreth reedes long, and fiue hundreth broade to make a separation betweene the Sanctuarie, and the prophane place.



CHAP. XLIII.


2 He seeth the glorie of God going into the Temple, from whence it had before departed. 7 He mentioneth the idolatrie of the children of Israel, for the which they were consumed and brought to nought. 9 He is commaunded to call them againe to repentance.

1 Afterwarde he brought me to the gate, euen the gate that turneth towarde the East.

2 And beholde, the glorie of the God of Israel came from out of the East, whose voyce was like a noyse of great waters, and the earth was made light with his glorie.

3 And the vision which I saw was [Note: Chap.9.3. ] like the vision, euen as the vision that I sawe [Note: [a] When I prophecied the destruction of the citie by the Caldeans. ] when I came to destroy the citie: and the visions were like the vision that I sawe by the riuer Chebar: and I fell vpon my face.

4 And the [Note: [b] Which was departed afore, Chap.10.4. and 11.22. ] glorie of the Lorde came into the house by the way of the gate, whose prospect is towarde the East.

5 So the Spirite tooke me vp and brought me into the inner court, and beholde, the glorie of the Lorde filled the house.

6 And I heard one speaking vnto me out of the house: and there stoode a man by me,

[The Altar described.]




7 Which saide vnto me, Sonne of man, this place is my throne, & the place of the soles of my feete, whereas I will dwell among the children of Israel for euer, & the house of Israel shal no more [Note: [c] By their idolatries. ] defile mine holy Name, neither they, nor their Kings by their fornication, nor by the carkeises of [Note: [d] He alludeth to Ammon and Manasseh, who were buried in their gardens neere the Temple, and there had erected vp monuments to their idoles. ] their Kings in their high places.

8 Albeit they set their thresholdes by my thresholdes, and their postes by my postes (for there was but a wall betweene me and them) yet haue they defiled mine holy Name with their abominations, that they haue committed: wherfore I haue consumed them in my wrath.

9 Now therefore let them put away their fornication, and the carkeises of their Kings farre from me, and I will dwell among them for euer.

10 ¶ Thou sonne of man, shew this House to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their wickednes, & let them measure ye paterne.

11 And if they be ashamed of all that they haue done, shew them the forme of the House, & ye paterne thereof, & the going out thereof, & the coming in thereof, & the whole fashion thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the figures thereof, and all the lawes thereof: & write it in their sight, that they may keepe the whole fashio thereof, & all the ordinances thereof, & do them.

12 This is the [Note: Ebr. Lawe. ] description of the house, It shalbe vpon the toppe of the mount: all the limites thereof round about shalbe most holy. Beholde, this is the description of the house.
[Note: [Subnote: THE FIGVRE OF THE ALTAR.]

Vers.13. The mids or bottome A. which was a cubite hie B C. and a cubite broad B D.

Vers.14. The lower piece which standeth on ye bottom and is the middlemost piece and vnder the hiest, is two cubites D E.

The breadth one cubite E F.

From the litle piece, which was the second, to the hiest foure cubites F G.

Vers.15. Foure cubites, meaning the hier part of the altar F G.

Vers.16. Length and breadth G H I K. Which note also the 4. hornes of the altar.

Vers.17. The frame whereupon the hiest piece stood, is fourteene cubites: for on euery side it is longer by a cubite then the vppermost E L, L M.

]
13 And these are the measures of the Altar, after the cubites, the cubite is a cubite, & an had breadth, euen the bottome shalbe a cubite, and the breadth a cubite, and the border thereof by the edge thereof rounde about shalbe a spanne: and this shalbe the height of the altar.

14 And from the bottome which toucheth the ground to the lower piece shalbe two cubites: and the breadth one cubite, and from the litle piece to the great piece shalbe foure cubites, and the breadth one cubite.

15 So the altar shalbe foure cubites, and from the altar vpward shalbe foure hornes.

16 And the altar shalbe twelue cubites long, and twelue broade, and fouresquare in the foure corners thereof.

17 And ye frame shalbe foureteene cubites log, and fourteene broade in the fouresquare corners thereof, & the border about it shalbe halfe a cubite, & the bottome therof shalbe a cubite about, & the steps thereof shalbe turned towarde ye East.

18 ¶ And he said vnto me, Sone of man, thus saith ye Lord God, These are ye ordinaces of ye altar in the day when they shall make it to offer the burnt offring theron, & to sprinkle blood theron.

19 And thou shalt giue to the Priestes, and to [Page]

[The vncircumcised in heart.]



the Leuites, that be of the seede of Zadok, which approch vnto me, to minister vnto me, saith the Lord God, a yong bullocke for a sinne offring.

20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, & put it on the foure hornes of it, & on the foure corners of the frame, and vpon the border round about: thus shalt thou clense it, and reconcile it.

21 Thou shalt take the bullocke also of the sinne offring, and burne it in the appointed place of the house without the Sanctuarie.

22 But the second day thou shalt offer an hee goat wtout blemish for a sinne offring, & they shal clense ye altar, as they did clense it wt the bullocke.

23 When thou hast made an ende of clensing it, thou shalt offer a yong bullocke without blemish, & a ram out of the flocke without blemish.

24 And thou shalt offer them before ye Lord, and the Priestes shall cast salt vpon them, & they shall offer them for a burnt offring vnto ye Lord.

25 Seuen dayes shalt thou prepare euery day an hee goate for a sinne offring: they shall also prepare a yong bullocke and a ramme out of the flocke, without blemish.

26 Thus shall they seuen dayes purifie the altar, and clense it, and [Note: Ebr. fill his hand. ] consecrate it.

27 And when these dayes are expired, vpon the eight day and so forth, the Priests shall make your burnt offrings vpon the altar, & your peace offrings, & I will accept you, saith the Lord God.


CHAP. XLIIII.


He reprooueth the people for their offence. 7 The vncircumcised in heart, and in the flesh. 9 Who are to be admitted to the seruice of the Temple, and who to be refused.

1 Then he brought me towarde the gate of the outwarde Sanctuarie, which turneth towarde the East, and it was shut.

2 Then saide the Lorde vnto me, This gate shalbe [Note: [a] Meaning, from the common people, but not from the Priestes, nor the prince, reade Chap.46.8,9. ] shut, and shall not bee opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lorde God of Israel hath entred by it, and it shalbe shut.

3 It appertaineth to the Prince: the Prince himselfe shall sit in it to eate bread before the Lorde: he shall enter by the way of the porche of that gate, & shal go out by the way of the same.

4 ¶ Then brought he mee toward the North gate before the House: and when I looked, beholde, the glorie of the Lorde filled the house of the Lorde, and I fell vpon my face.

5 And the Lord sayd vnto me, Sonne of man, [Note: Ebr. set thine heart. ] marke wel, & behold with thine eyes, & heare wt thine eares, all that I say vnto thee, concerning al the ordinances of the house of the Lord, & al the lawes thereof, & marke well the entring in of the house with euery going forth of the Sanctuarie,

6 And thou shalt say to the rebellious, euen to ye house of Israel, Thus saith ye Lord God, O house of Israel, ye haue ynough of al your abominatios,

7 Seeing that yee haue brought into my Sanctuarie [Note: [b] For they had brought idolaters which were of other countreis, to teach them their idolatrie, Chap.23 40. ] strangers, vncircumcised in heart, and vncircumcised in flesh, to bee in my Sanctuarie, to pollute mine house, when yee offer my bread, euen fat, and blood: and they haue broken my couenant, because of all your abominations.

8 For yee haue not kept the [Note: [c] Ye haue not offred vnto me according to my Lawe. ] ordinances of mine holy things: but you your selues haue set other to take the charge of my Sanctuarie.

9 Thus saieth the Lord God, No stranger vncircumcised in heart, nor vncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my Sanctuarie, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel,

[The Priestes office.]




10 Neither yet ye [Note: [d] The Leuites which had committed idolatrie were put from their dignitie and could not be receiued into the Priestes office, although they had bene of the house of Aaron, but must serue in the inferior offices, as to watch and to keepe the doores, reade 2.King.23.9. ] Leuites that are gone backe from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray from thee after their idoles, but they shal beare their iniquitie.

11 And they shall serue in my Sanctuarie, and keepe the gates of the House, and minister in the House: they shall slay the burnt offring and the sacrifice for the people: and they shall stand before them to serue them.

12 Because they serued before their idoles, & caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquitie, therfore haue I lift vp mine had against the, saith the Lord God, and they shal beare their iniquity,

13 And they shal not come neere vnto me to do ye office of ye Priest vnto me, neyther shal they come neere vnto any of mine holy things in the most holy place, but they shall beare their shame & their abominatios, which they haue comitted.

14 And I will make them keepers of ye watch of the House, for all the seruice thereof, and for all that shalbe done therein.

15 But the Priests of the Leuites, the sonnes of Zadok, that [Note: [e] Which obserued the Lawe of God, and fell not to idolatrie. ] kept the charge of my Sanctuarie, when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come neere to me to serue me, and they shall stande before me to offer me the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God.

16 They shall enter into my Sanctuarie, and shall come neere to my table, to serue me, and they shall keepe my charge.

17 And whe they shal enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments, & no wool shall come vpon the while they serue in ye gates of the inner court, & within.

18 They shall haue linnen bonets vpon their heades, and shall haue linnen breeches vpon their loynes: they shall not girde them selues in the sweating places.

19 But when they goe foorth into the vtter court, euen to the vtter court to the people, they shall put off their garments, wherein they ministred, and lay them in the holy chambers, & they shall put on other garments: for they shall not sanctifie the people with their garments.

20 They shall not also [Note: [f] As did the infidels and heathen. ] shaue their heades, nor suffer their lockes to growe long, but rounde their heades.

21 [Note: Leuit.10.9. ] Neither shall any Priest drinke wine when they enter into the inner court.

22 Neither shall they take for their [Note: Leuit.21.13,14. ] wiues a widowe, or her that is diuorced: but they shall take maidens of the seede of the house of Israel, or a widow that hath bene the widow of a Priest.

23 And they shal teach my people the differece betweene the holy and prophane, & cause them to discerne betweene the vncleane & the cleane.

24 And in controuersie they shall stande to iudge, and they shall iudge it according to my iudgements: and they shall keepe my lawes and my statutes in all mine assemblies, and they shall sanctifie my Sabbaths.

25 [Note: Leuit.21.1,2,11. ] And they shal come at no dead person to defile theselues, except at their father, or mother, or sone, or daughter, brother or sister, yt hath had yet none husband: in these may they [Note: [g] They may be at their buriall, which was a defiling. ] be defiled.

26 And when he is clensed, they shall reckon vnto him seuen dayes.

27 And when he goeth into ye Sanctuarie vnto the inner court to minister in the Sanctuarie, he shall offer his sinne offring, saith ye Lord God.


[Page 102]

[The lande deuided.]




28 [Note: Deut.18.1. nomb.18.20. ] And the Priesthood shall bee their inheritance, yea, I am their inheritance: therefore shall ye giue them no possessio in Israel, for I am their possession.

29 They shall eate the meat offring, and the sinne offring, and the trespas offring, and euery dedicate thing in Israel shal be theirs.

30 [Note: Exod.13.2. & 22. 29.and 34.19. nomb.3.13. ] And all the first of all the first borne, & euery oblation, euen all of euery sort of your oblations shall be the Priestes. Ye shal also giue vnto the Priest the first of your dough, that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.

31 The Priests shal not eate of any thing, that is [Note: Exod.22.31. leuit.22.8. ] dead, or torne, whether it be foule or beast.


CHAP. XLV.


1 Out of the land of promes are there separate foure portions, of which the first is giuen to the Priests & to the Temple, the second to the Leuites, the thirde to the citie, the fourth to the prince. 9 An exhortation vnto the heads of Israel. 10 Of iust weights and measures. 13 Of the first fruits, &c.

1 Moreouer when yee shall deuide the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation vnto the Lorde an [Note: [a] Of all the land of Israel the Lorde onely requireth this portion for the Temple and for the Priests, for the citie and for the prince. ] holy portion of the land, fiue and twentie thousand reedes long, and ten thousand broad: this shalbe holy in all the borders thereof round about.

2 Of this there shalbe for the Sanctuarie fiue hundreth in length with fiue hundreth in breadth, all square round about, and fiftie cubites rounde about for the suburbes thereof.

3 And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of fiue and twentie thousande, and the breadth of tenne thousande: and in it shalbe the Sanctuarie, and the most holy place.

4 The holy portion of the lande shalbe the Priests, which minister in the Sanctuarie, which came neere to serue the Lorde: and it shalbe a place for their houses, and an holy place for the Sanctuarie.

5 And in the fiue and twentie thousande of length, and the ten thousand of breadth shall the Leuites that minister in the house, haue their possession for twentie chambers.

6 Also ye shall appoynt the possession of the citie, fiue thousand broad, and fiue and twentie thousand log ouer against the oblation of ye holy portion: it shalbe for the whole house of Israel.

7 And a portion shalbe for the prince on ye one side, and on that side of the oblation of the holy portion, & of the possession of the citie, euen before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the citie from the West corner Westward, and from the East corner Eastward, and the length shalbe by one of the portions fro the West border vnto the East border.

8 In this lande shalbe his possession in Israel: and my princes shal no more oppresse my people, and the rest of the land shall they giue to ye house of Israel, according to their tribes.

9 Thus saith the Lorde God, Let it [Note: [b] The Prophet sheweth that the heads must bee first reformed afore any good order can bee established among the people. ] suffice you, O princes of Israel: leaue off crueltie and oppression, & execute iudgment and iustice: take away your exactions from my people, sayth the Lorde God.

10 Ye shall haue iust balances, and a true [Note: [c] Ephah & Bath were both of one quantitie, saue that Ephah conteined in dry things, that which Bath did in licour, Leuit.5. 11. 1.king 5.11. ] Ephah, and a true Bath.

11 The Ephah and the Bath shalbe equall: a Bath shall conteyne the tenth part of an Homer, and an Ephah the tenth part of an Homer: the equalitie thereof shalbe after the Homer.

12 [Note: Exod.30.13. leuit.27.25. nomb.3.47. ] And the shekel shalbe twentie gerahs,

[Of feasts and offrings.]



and twentie shekels, and [Note: [d] That is, threescore shekels make a weight called Mina: for he ioyneth these three parts to Mina. ] fiue and twentie shekels and fifteene shekels shalbe your Maneh.

13 ¶ This is the oblation that ye shall offer, ye sixt part of an Ephah of an Homer of wheat, and ye shall giue the sixt part of an Ephah of an Homer of barley.

14 Concerning ye ordinance of the oyle, euen of the Bath of oyle, ye shall offer the tenth part of a Bath out of ye Cor (ten Baths are an Homer: for ten Baths fill an Homer)

15 And one lambe of two hundreth sheepe out of ye fat pastures of Israel for a meat offring, and for a burnt offring and for peace offrings, to make reconciliation for them, sayth the Lorde God.

16 All the people of the lande shall giue this oblation for the prince in Israel.

17 And it shalbe ye princes part to giue burnt offrings, and meat offrings, and drinke offrings in the solemne feasts and in the newe moones, & in the Sabbaths, and in all the hie feasts of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sinne offring, and the meat offring, and the burnt offring, and the peace offrings to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

18 ¶ Thus sayth the Lord God, In the first moneth, in the first day of [Note: [e] Which was Nisan, conteyning parte of March & part of Aprill. ] the moneth, thou shalt take a yong bullocke without blemish and clense the Sanctuarie.

19 And the Priest shall take of the blood of the sinne offring, and put it vpon the posts of the house, and vpon the foure [Note: Or, court. ] corners of the frame of the altar, and vpon the postes of the gate of the inner court.

20 And so shalt thou doe the seuenth day of the moneth, for euery one that hath erred and for him that is deceiued: so shall you reconcile the house.

21 [Note: Exod.12.18. leuit.23.5. ] In the first moneth in the foureteenth day of the moneth, ye shal haue the Passeouer, a feast of seuen dayes, & ye shal eate vnleauened bread.

22 And vpon that day, shal the prince prepare for him selfe, and for all the people of the lande, a bullocke for a sinne offring.

23 And in the seuen dayes of the feast he shal make a burnt offring to the Lorde, euen of seuen bullockes, and seuen rammes without blemish dayly for seuen dayes, and an hee goate dayly for a sinne offring.

24 And he shall prepare a meate offring of an Ephah for a bullocke, an Ephah for a ramme, and an [Note: [f] Reade Exod. 29.40. ] Hin of oyle for an Ephah.

25 In the seuenth moneth, in the fifteenth day of the moneth, shal he do the like in the feast for seuen dayes, according to the sinne offring, according to the burnt offring, and according to the meate offring, and according to the oyle.


CHAP. XLVI.


1 The sacrifices of the Sabbath and of the newe moones. 8 Thorowe which doores they must goe in, or come out of the Temple, &c.

1 Thus sayth the Lord God, The gate of the inner court, that turneth toward the East, shall be shut the sixe working dayes: but on the Sabbath it shalbe opened, and in the day of the newe moone it shalbe opened.

2 And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stande by the post of the gate, and the Priests shal make his burnt offring, and his peace offrings, and he [Page]

[Offrings at feasts.]



shall worship at the threshold of the gate: after, he shall go foorth, but the gate shall not be shut till the euening.

3 Likewise the people of the lande shall worshippe at the entrie of this gate before the Lorde on the Sabbaths, and in the newe moones.

4 And the burnt offring that the prince shall offer vnto the Lorde on the Sabbath day, shalbe sixe lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.

5 And the meat offring shalbe an Ephah for a ram: and the meate offring for the lambs [Note: [a] That is, as much as he will. ] a gift of his hand, and an Hin of oyle to an Ephah.

6 And in the day of the newe moone it shalbee a yong bullocke without blemish, and sixe lambes and a ram: they shalbe without blemish.

7 And he shal prepare a meat offring, euen an Ephah for a bullocke, and an Ephah for a ram, and for the lambes [Note: [b] Meaning, as hee shall thinke good. ] according as his hand shall bring, and an Hin of oyle to an Ephah.

8 And when the prince shall enter, hee shall goe in by the way of the porche of that gate, and hee shall go foorth by the way thereof.

9 But when the people of the land shal come before the Lord in the solemne feastes, hee that entreth in by the way of the North gate to worship, shall goe out by the way of the South gate: & he that entreth by the way of the South gate, shall goe foorth by the way of the North gate: hee shall not returne by the way of the gate whereby hee came in, but they shall goe forth ouer against it.

10 And the prince shall be in the middes of them: hee shall go in when they goe in, & when they goe forth, they shal goe forth together.

11 And in the feastes, and in the solemnities the meat offring shalbe an Ephah to a bullocke, and an Ephah to a ram, and to the lambes, the gift of his hand, and an Hin of oyle to an Ephah.

12 Nowe when the prince shall make a free burnt offring or peace offrings freely vnto the Lord, one shall then open him the gate, that turneth towarde the East, and hee shall make his burnt offring and his peace offrings, as he did on the Sabbath day: after, hee shall goe foorth, and when he is gone forth, one shall shut the gate.

13 Thou shalt dayly make a burnt offring vnto the Lord of a lambe of one yere without blemish: thou shalt doe it euery morning.

14 And thou shalt prepare a meate offring for it euery morning, the sixt part of an Ephah, and the thirde part of an Hin of oyle, to mingle with the fine flowre: this meate offring shalbe continually by a perpetuall ordinance vnto the Lorde.

15 Thus shall they prepare the lambe, and the meate offring and the oyle euery morning, for a continual burnt offring.

16 ¶ Thus saith the Lorde God, If the prince giue a gift of his inheritance vnto any of his sonnes, it shalbe his sonnes, and it shall bee their possession by inheritance.

17 But if hee giue a gift of his inheritance to one of his seruantes, then it shall bee his to the [Note: [c] Which was at the Iubile, Leui. 25.9. ] yere of libertie: after, it shal returne to ye prince, but his inheritance shall remaine to his sonnes for them.

18 Moreouer the prince shal not [Note: [d] But be content with that portion that God hath assigned him, as Chap.45.8. ] take of the peoples inheritance, nor thrust them out of their possession: but he shall cause his sonnes to inherit

[The vision of the waters.]



of his owne possession, that my people be not scattered euery man from his possession.

19 ¶ After, he brought me through the entrie, which was at the side of the gate, into the holy chambers of the Priestes, which stoode towarde the North: and beholde, there was a place at the West side of them.

20 Then saide he vnto me, This is the place where the Priestes shall see the the trespasse offering and the sinne offering, where they shall bake the meat offring, that they should not beare them into the vtter court, [Note: [e] That the people should not haue to do with those things which apperteine to the Lord, and thinke it lawfull for them to eate them. ] to sanctifie ye people.

21 Then he brought me foorth into the vtter court, and caused me to goe by the foure corners of the court: and beholde, in euery corner of the court, there was a court.

22 In the foure corners of the court there were courts ioyned of fourty cubits long, & thirty broad: these foure corners were of one measure.

23 And there went a wall about them, euen about those foure, and kitchins were made vnder the walles rounde about.

24 Then said he vnto me, This is the kitchin where the ministers of the house shall seethe the sacrifice of the people.


CHAP. XLVII.


1 The vision of the waters that came out of the Temple. 13 The coastes of the lande of promes, and the diuision thereof by tribes.

1 Afterwarde he brought me vnto the doore of the house: & behold, [Note: [a] Whereby are ment the spirituall graces that should be giuen to the Church vnder the kingdom of Christ. ] waters yssued out from vnder the threshold of the house Eastward: for the forefront of the house stoode towarde the East, and the waters ran downe from vnder the right side of the house, at the southside of ye altar.

2 Then brought he me out toward the North gate, and led me about by the way without vnto the vtter gate, by the way that turneth Eastward: & behold, there came forth waters on ye right side

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand, went foorth Eastward, he measured a thousand cubites, and he brought me through the waters: the waters were to the ancles.

4 Againe he measured a thousande, and brought me through the waters: the waters were to the knees: againe he measured a thousand, & brought me through: ye waters were to ye loynes.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand, and it was a [Note: [b] Signifiyng that the graces of God should neuer decrease but euer abound in his Church. ] riuer, that I could not passe ouer: for the waters were risen, and the waters did flowe, as a riuer that could not be passed ouer.

6 And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, hast thou seene this? Then he brought me, and caused me to returne to the brinke of the riuer.

7 Nowe when I returned, beholde, at the brinke of the riuer were very many [Note: [c] Meaning, the multitude of them that should bee refreshed by the spiritual waters. ] trees on the one side, and on the other.

8 Then saide he vnto me, These waters issue out towarde the East countrey, and runne downe into the plaine, and shall goe into one [Note: [d] Shewing that the abundance of these graces shuld be so great, that all the world shoulde be full thereof, which is here ment by the Persian Sea or Genezareth, and the Sea called Mediterraneum, Zech.14.8. ] sea: they shall runne into another sea, and the [Note: [e] The waters which of nature are salt and vnholsome, shalbe made sweete, and comfortable. ] waters shalbe wholesome.

9 And euery thing that liueth, which moueth, wheresoeuer the riuers shal come, shal liue, and there shalbe a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be wholesome, and euery thing shall liue whither the riuer commeth.


[Page 103]

[The borders, and portions of the tribes.]




10 And then the [Note: [f] Signifying that when God bestoweth his mercies in such abundance, the ministers shall by their preaching winne many. ] fishers shall stand vpon it, and from En-gedi euen vnto [Note: [g] Which were cities at the corners of the salt or dead sea. ] En-eglaim, they shall spread out their nettes: for their fish shalbe according to their kindes, as the fishe of [Note: [h] They shalbe here of all sortes, and in as great abundance as in the great Ocean where they are bred. ] the maine sea, exceeding many.

11 But [Note: [i] That is, the wicked and reprobate. ] the myrie places thereof, and the marises thereof shall not be wholesome: they shalbe made salt pittes.

12 And by this riuer vpon the brinke thereof, on this side, and on that side shall grow all [Note: Or, tree for meate. ] fruitful trees, whose leafe shall not fade, neither shall ye fruit thereof faile: it shal bring forth new fruit according to his moneths, because their waters run out of ye Sanctuarie: and the fruite thereof shalbe meat, and the leafe thereof shalbe for [Note: Or, for bruises and sores. ] medicine.

13 ¶ Thus saith the Lorde God, This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherite the lande according to the twelue tribes [Note: Gene.48.22. ] of Israel: Ioseph shall haue two portions.

14 And ye shal inherite it, one as wel as another: [Note: Gene.12.7. and 13.15. & 15.18. and 26.4. deut.34.4. ] concerning the which I lift vp mine hand to giue it vnto your fathers, and this lande shall fall vnto you for inheritance.

15 And this shall be the border [Note: [k] By the land of promes he signifieth the spirituall land whereof this was a figure. ] of the lande towarde the North side, from the maine sea toworde Hethlon as men goe to Zedadah:

16 Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is betweene the border of Damascus, and the border of Hamath, & Hazar, Hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.

17 And the border from the sea shalbe Hazar, Enan, & the border of Damascus, and the residue of the North, Northwarde, and the border of Hamath: so shalbe the North part.

18 But the East side shall ye measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the lande of Israel by Iorden, and from the border vnto the East sea: and so shalbe the East part.

19 And the Southside shalbe towarde Teman from Tamar to the waters of [Note: Or, strife. ] Meriboth in Kadesh, and the riuer to the maine sea: so shalbe the South part towarde Teman.

20 The West parte also shalbe the great sea from the border, till a man come ouer against Hamath: this shalbe the West part.

21 So shall ye deuide this lande vnto you, according to the tribes of Israel.

22 And you shall deuide it by lot for an inheritance vnto you, and to the strangers that dwell among you, which shall beget children among you, and they shall be vnto you, as borne in the countrey among the children of Israel, [Note: [l] Meaning, that in this spirituall kingdome there should be no difference betweene Iewe nor Gentile, but that all should be partakers of this inheritance in their head Christ. ] they shall part inheritance with you in the middes of the tribes of Israel.

23 And in what tribe the stranger dwelleth, there shall ye giue him his inheritance, saith the Lorde God.


CHAP. XLVIII.


The lottes of the tribes. 9 The partes of the possession of the Priestes, of the Temple, of the Leuites, of the citie and of the Prince are rehearsed.

1 Nowe these are the names of the [Note: [a] The tribes after that they entred into the lande vnder Ioshua, diuided the lande somewhat otherwise then is here set foorth by this vision. ] tribes. From the North side, to the coast towarde Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazar, Enan, & the border of Damascus Northwarde the coast of Hamath, euen from the East side to the West shall be a portion for Dan.

2 And by the border of Dan from the East side vnto the West side, a portion for Asher.

[The borders, and portions of the tribes.]




3 And by the border of Asher from the East parte euen vnto the West parte a portion for Naphtali.

4 And by the border of Naphtali from the East quarter vnto the West side, a portion for Manasseh.

5 And by the border of Manasseh from the East side vnto the West side a portion for Ephraim.

6 And by the border of Ephraim, from the East part euen vnto the West part, a portion for Reuben.

7 And by the border of Reuben, from the East quarter vnto the West quarter, a portion for Iudah.

8 And by the border of Iudah fro the East part vnto the West part [Note: [b] That is, the portion of the grounde, which they shall separate and appoint to the Lorde, which shalbe deuided into three partes: for the Priestes, for the prince, and for the citie. ] shall be the offering which they shall offer of fiue and twentie thousande reedes broade, and of length as one of the other parts, from the East side vnto the Westside, and the Sanctuarie shalbe in the middes of it.

9 The oblation that ye shall offer vnto the Lord, shalbe of fiue and twentie thousande long, and of ten thousand the breadth.

10 And for them, euen for the Priestes shalbe this holy oblation, towarde the North fiue and twentie thousande long, and towarde the West, ten thousande broade, and towarde the East ten thousand broad, and towarde the South fiue and twentie thousand long, and the Sanctuarie of the Lorde shalbe in the middes thereof.

11 It shalbe for the Priestes that are sanctified of the sonnes of [Note: Chap.44.15. ] Zadok, which haue kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Leuites went astray.

12 Therefore this oblation of the land that is offred, shalbe theirs, as a thing most holy by the border of the Leuites.

13 And ouer against the border of the Priests the Leuites shall haue fiue and twentie thousande long, and ten thousande broade: all the length shalbe fiue and twentie thousand, and the breadth ten thousande.

14 And they shall not sel of it, neither change it, nor abalienate the first fruites of the land: for it is holy vnto the Lorde.

15 And the fiue thousand that are left in the breadth ouer against the fiue and twentie thousande, shall be a prophane place for the citie, for housing, and for suburbes, and the citie shalbe in the middes thereof.

16 And these shall be the measures thereof, the North part fiue hundreth & foure thousand, and the South parte [Note: [c] Meaning, that it should be square. ] fiue hundreth and foure thousande, and the East parte fiue hundreth and foure thousande, and the West parte fiue hundreth and foure thousande.

17 And the suburbes of the citie shall be toward the North two hundreth and fiftie, and towarde the South two hundreth and fiftie, and towarde the East two hundreth and fiftie, and towarde the West two hundreth and fiftie.

18 And the residue in length ouer against the oblation of the holy portion shalbe ten thousand Eastwarde, and ten thousand Westwarde: and it shalbe ouer against the oblation of the holy portion, and the encrease thereof shall be for foode vnto them that serue in the citie.

19 And they that serue in the citie, shalbe of all the tribes of Israel that shall serue therein.
[Page]

[The portions and borders of the tribes.]




20 All the oblation shalbe fiue and twentie thousand with [Note: [d] Euery way it shalbe fiue and twentie thousande. ] fiue and twentie thousand: you shall offer this oblation foure square for the Sanctuarie, and for the possession of the citie.

21 And the residue shalbe for the prince on the one side and on the other of the oblation of the Sanctuarie, and of the possession of the citie, ouer against the fiue and twentie thousand of the oblation toward the East border, and Westward ouer against the fiue and twentie thousande towarde the West border, ouer against shalbe for the portion of the prince: this shall be the holy oblation, and the house of the Sanctuarie shalbe in the middes thereof.

22 Moreouer, from the possession of the Leuites, and from the possession of the citie, that which is in the middes shall be the princes: betweene the border [Note: [e] So that Iudah was on the Northside of the Princes and Leuites portions, and Beniamin on the Southside. ] of Iudah, and betweene the border of Beniamin shall be the princes.

23 And the rest of the tribes shalbe thus: from the East parte vnto the West parte Beniamin shalbe a portion.

24 And by the border of Beniamin, from the East side vnto the West side Simeon a portion.

25 And by the border of Simeon from the East part vnto the West part, Isshachar a portion.

26 And by the border of Isshachar, from the East side vnto the West, Zebulun a portion.

27 And by the border of Zebulun from the East parte vnto the West part, Gad a portion.

28 And by the border of Gad at the South side, towarde [Note: [f] Which is here taken for Idumea. ] Temath, the border shall be euen from [Note: [g] Which was Iericho the citie of palme trees. ] Tamar vnto the waters of Meribath in Kadesh, and to the [Note: [h] Meaning, Nilus that runneth into the Sea called Mediterraneum. ] riuer, that runneth into the maine sea.

29 This is the lande, which ye shall distribute vnto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, & these are their portions, saith the Lorde God.

30 And these are the boundes of the citie, on the North side fiue hundreth, and foure thousande measures.

31 And the gates of the citie shalbe after the names of the tribes of Israel, the gates Northwarde, one gate of Reuben, one gate of Iudah, and one gate of Leui.

32 And at the East side fiue hundreth and foure thousande, and three gates, and one gate of Ioseph, one gate of Beiamin, & one gate of Dan.

33 And at the South side, fiue hundreth and foure thousande measures, and three portes, one gate of Simeon, one gate of Isshachar, and one gate of Zebulun.

34 At the West side, fiue hundreth and foure thousand, with their three gates, one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, and one gate of Naphtali.

35 It was rounde about eighteene thousande measures, and the name of the citie from that day shalbe, [Note: Ebr. Iehouah shammah. ] The Lorde is there.