Verse 3

VER. 3.

For now they shall say, We have no King.

WHAT, break down our Altars, and spoil our Images! no, the King will maintain them against you all, let the Prophets say what they can and a company of precise fools be against them what they will, we have the King will stand for that, he will rather lose his Crown than he will lose these things, he will stand for them to his very life, and therefore we do not fear that they shall be broken down. No, that will not serve your turns (says the Prophet) your King shall not be able to help himself, much less to help you in those superstitious ways that you would have. For now shall they say, We have no King. They rejoiced and gloried much in their King, they bore themselves altogether upon their King, no matter for the Prophets; they have the Kings Commandement to do what they do, they can shew the Kings broad Seal for what they have done, and they were sure that they had the Kings heart with them, their King would bear them out in all. They cared not therefore whatever they did, so be it they have the countenance of their King that he would defend them, and not only defend, but by being zealous and forward for his ways they hoped to have promotion by him, they did not fear to be questioned for any thing, no matter whether they went against Law or not, they could shelter themselves under the power and favor of the King, the Pomp and Glory of the Court that was a great thing in their eyes, they were bold in their idolatrous way and oppression, because of the power and greatness of the King; who should control them in any thing that they did? But now (says the Prophet) you have had your day, you have had your time that you could thus shelter your selves under the power of the King, and do what you list, and oppress, and rage, and no body durst meddle with you, because of the power of the King, but now the case is altered.