Others (as I said) expound these words of the slaughter of Achabs family and posterity, Jezebel, Joram, Ahab's 70. 1sons, Ahaziah, and 42. of his brethren: wherein they follow the plain history, and the manifest words of the text without any change and alteration. Which (as I take it) is the rather to be embraced; for where the exposition is according to the plain words of the text, agreeing with the circumstances thereof, the analogy of faith, the rest of the Scriptures, and containeth nothing improbable or absurd, there it is to be given and received, without any further search for one further fetched, mystical and hidden. Yea, but will some say, this fact of Jehues was commanded of God to be done, and commended and rewarded when it was done; and therefore it is not likely that God would punish him and his posterity for it. I answer, that we are to consider in this fact two things: the outward fact it self, and Jehues doing of it. The outward fact it self was good, and enjoined ⟨p. 59⟩by God himself, as a just revenge taken upon Ahab for his tyranny, murder, idolatry, and other outrages by him committed: and in respect hereof Jehu is commended, and rewarded; because he was Gods minister and instrument, in performing a work in it self commendable and acceptable unto God. But in respect of Jehu his doing of it, it was wicked and unlawful: for he did it not in the sincerity and uprightness of his heart, but with a corrupt mind, poisoned with ambition: as appeareth, 2. King. 10. 31. He did 2it not in zeal of Gods glory, as he falsely boasted; but his main end was his own advancement; which when he had attained unto, he utterly neglected the glory of God, and grievously dishonoured him by his gross Idolatry. He did not do it in obedience to Gods commandment; for then he would have made conscience of the rest, which he transgressed, resting and contenting himself like an hypocrite in this one outward act: he did not do it in detestation of Achabs sin, but for self-love, for he continued in the same idolatry: and although he destroyed Baals Priests and house, yet following Jeroboam's policy, he worshipped the golden calves in Dan and Bethel: whereby he clearly showed, that all he did was not in hatred of idolatry, but for his worldly advantage.
Others (as I said) expound these words of the slaughter of Achabs familie and posteritie, Iezabel, Ioram, Ahabs 70. 1sons, Ahaziah, and 42. of his brethren: wherein they follow the plaine historie, and the manifest words of the text without any change and alteration. Which (as I take it) is the rather to bee imbraced; for where the exposition is according to the plaine words of the text, agreeing with the circumstances thereof, the analogie of faith, the rest of the Scriptures, and containeth nothing improbable or absurd, there it is to bee giuen and receiued, without anie further search for one further fetched, mysticall and hidden. Yea, but will some say, this fact of Iehues was commanded of God to be done, and commended and rewarded when it was done; and therefore it is not likely that God would punish him and his posteritie for it. I answer, that we are to consider in this fact two things: the outward fact it selfe, and Iehues doing of it. The outward fact it selfe was good, and inioyned ⟨p. 59⟩by God himselfe, as a iust reuenge taken vpon Achab for his tyranny, murther, idolatry, and other outrages by him committed: and in respect hereof Iehu is commended, and rewarded; because he was Gods minister and instrument, in performing a worke in it selfe commendable and acceptable vnto God. But in respect of Iehu his doing of it, it was wicked and vnlawfull: for he did it not in the sinceritie and vprightnesse of his heart, but with a corrupt minde, poisoned with ambition: as appeareth, 2. King. 10. 31. He did 2it not in zeale of Gods glory, as he falsely boasted; but his maine end was his owne aduancement; which when he had attained vnto, hee vtterly neglected the glory of God, and grieuously dishonoured him by his grosse Idolatry. He did not doe it in obedience to Gods commandement; for then he would haue made conscience of the rest, which hee transgressed, resting and contenting himselfe like an hypocrite in this one outward act: he did not doe it in detestation of Achabs sinne, but for selfe-loue, for hee continued in the same idolatry: and although he destroyed Baals Priests and house, yet following Ieroboams policie, hee worshipped the golden calues in Dan and Bethel: whereby he cleerely shewed, that al he did was not in hatred of idolatry, but for his worldly aduantage.
- 1Exposition.
- 22. King. 10. 31.
