(f Iff ' i/* J^- r; ^ ^ -' n ■" COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE I LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY f COMMENTARY VPON THE PROPHECIE OF ISAIAH. Mr. Iohn Calvin. WHEREVNTO ARE ADDED FOVRE TABLES: The firft touching places of Scripture alleaged : The fecond, of the principall matters handled : The third, of Authors and diuers names mentioned : The fourth,of certaine texts cited out of Ifaiah in the new Tcftamcnt, Vvhicb bj the Anther m the Commentarie are compared and reconciled. TRANSLATED OVT OF French INTO Enolish: BY C.C. Behold the Lamb of Godtbattaketh away the ftnne of the world. Iohn 1.29. To him alfogiue all the Prophets witneffe, that through his name all that beleeue in him,Jha3 receiueremifion of finnes. Ad.10.43. Lord,who will beleeue our report t And to whom is the armeofthe Lord rettealed? Ifai.53.1. Iohn 12.37.38. T*Mcdhnrft T*Mcdhurft Imprinted by Felix Kyngston, and arc to be fold by William Cotton, dwelling in Pater nofter Row, at the figne of the golden Lion. 1600. ^P^/^^K5 y TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE PRINCE, Henri e, PRINCE OF GREAT BRIT- TAINE, SONNE AND HEIRE APPARANT TO ourSoueraigne Lord, Iames King of Great Br'tttaine&c* AND TO THE MOST NOBLE AND VER- TVOVS PRINCESSE, THE LADY Elizabeths GRACE, his Highnefle mod deare Sifter-all honour and happinefle, with eternall gkric through Chrifi Iesvs. Oft gracious and renowned Princes, ha- iring tranflated out of French into our Englifh tongue,the booke of the prophe- cie of J/aiaby interpreted and expoun- ded by M after Johnfatuin, of rcuerend memorie : I humblie craue that it may be published vnder your moft Princely names and prote&ion. The reafon of this my humble petition is3that the honor of fo noble a worke may not be imbafed by the meanes of my endeuours. This Prophet by birth was the fonne of zAmos> eftce- med by many to haue been brother to ui%arias King of Iudah,and Father in law to King tManaffes : which being fo,this Prophet was by birth of the blood Royal,and defcended of the houfc of Dauid, which for the promife of Chrift to come of him, was the moft noble houfe of all the Kings of the earth. Being fo borne,his edu- cation could not be but Princely, and his bringing vp in all good learning,wifdome,vertue and honor. His fpirituallgraces,not at- tained vnto by ordinaric mcanes,but infpired into him immediat- ly by the Spirit of God, were excellent. This appeareth particu- larly in the fixth Chapter of this Prophecie, declaring that an An- 1T l gell The EfiJllelDeikatorie. gell of God with a burningcoale taken from the Lords Altar, and laide to the mouth of the Prophet, refined his lips and his tongue, that they became pure and precious as the fineft Gold. The fame ismanifeft in all the booke of his Prophecies wherein both the light and the heate of that heauenly fire appeareth. For he not onely declared the will of God fincerely, according to the Iawe and teftimonie deliuered to ^fo/es3 but alfo forelhewed the future euents of theKingdome of jfudab, and of all theflourifhingftates andKingdomes of his time. He Prophecieth alfo of the birth of Iefus Chrift, as if hee had been taught by the Angell Gabriel 'j who brought the annunciati- on andmeffage of it to the Melted Virgin his mother. Of his pa£ fion and death hefpake, as if with the Apoftle John he had ftoode by when he was crucified. His refurrection he defcribed, as if with all the Apoftles he had ftoode vpon Mount Oliuet, where the Lord tooke the cloude of glorie as his heauenly Chariot to afcend andgoevp to his Father. His zeale and indignation againftfinne is euident eucry where, in his fharpe reproofes of the offences of alleftates. Finally,the booke of his Prophecie beareth written in the head of it the names of foure Kings, in whofe time he prophecied > and beforewhomasavefTellof golde he bare the name of God with great honour. All which things being royall, it feemed to me moft conuenient that his booke fhould {kill beare in the front of it the names of Princes. And as hee forefhewed that Kings mould bee Fofterfathers, and Queenes Nurces of the Church of Chrift, fo my defire was that his booke might be publilhed vnder the names and protection of Chriftian Princes. Moreouer, I was led hereunto by the example of this Interpre- ter, whofe expofition vpon Jfaias prophefie Itranflatejnamelie, ofM. J(?fo^/«/s,aman in his time of excellent pietie and lear- ning j and one of the great lights, whereby it hath pleafed God both to chafe away the errors of poperie, as the darknes of the fhadow of death; and to caufe his maruellous and comfortable light of the Gofpell to fhine vnto this prefent age. For hee dedi- cated his firft expofition of this booke to the young Prince, King £^ibWthefixth,offamousmemorie,for the princelie graces,for the zealous loue of true religion,and of al heroical vertues^where- with in his young yeeres he raifed an admirable expectation of fu- ture The Epiflle Dedicdtcrie. turcglorie, if his precious life had long continued. He was alio mod worthily renowned with higheft gIoric,for that gracious re- formation in rcligio, which was cftabliihed by his regal authority, and which our Lnglifh Church at this day with great comfort doth cnioy, vnder the happie gouernment of our Soucraigne Lord the King, your mod noble and renowned Father. Furthermore, the fame Author fetting out asaine this Com- mcntaricamplified and enlarged, he dedicated this fecond editi- on to our late mod gracious Queene Elizabeth, worthieofeter- nall memoric in this Kingdome,for the reeftablifhing (after a few yeercs alteration) of the zealous reformation of her moil: ver- tuous brother. Which example hath led mee in moft humble manner to feeke for the fame worke, the high patronage and protection of fuch Princes, like thofe to whom hce prefented this hisferuice. To whom I know none (o like as your felues,both in regard of your high eftate,and alfo in like moft noble defcent from the vni- ted houfes of Yorke and Lancafter, Befides which refemblance, your Highnefle alfo is of like y eeres to the y ong Prince King Ed- ivardt and in the eies of all thekingdome, of like hope of excellent vertue and zealous proceedings in the aduancement of Chriftian religion. In like manner your Grace refembleth the moft gracious late Queene Sli-^abeth^ both in her royall name, and alfo in the conftant expectation of all men, to expreffe in time all the princely vermes and graces that (hined in that moft renowned Princefle, from this Wefterne part of the world, to the furtheft Eaft, and totherifingof the Sunne. In which refpecls,efteeming fuch a dedication, moft like that which my author made of his owne worke, I haue moft humblie craued that this my tranflation of it might bee vouchfafed the ho- nour to haue your Princelie names written in the beginning of it. For notwithstanding the great difference that is betweeneareue- rend learned writer and expounder of the holie Scriptures, and the tranflator of fuchanexpofition,yet this meane feruice hath alfo his good vfein the Church of God; and is of long and tedious labour to fuch as take paines therein 5 which being gratiou- flie accepted, may encourage others to trauell in this kind, and caufemanytogiuethankestoGod foryouboth, by whofemoft % 4 princely The EpiftleDedicatorie. princely fauours andprote&ion,they are made partakers of fuch worthie writings. And I (hall alwaies pray Almightie God, with this new yecre,to multiply many more vpon y ou,and dailiercplenilhyour hearts with all princely and he- roicall graces, that may enable and adorne Princes of (6 hie eftates,amongft this people. Your Higbmfe^and Graces mott humblie deuoted, in aUiojall anddutifuUaffeBion-j, Clement Cotton. v* TO THE MOST HIGH AND RENO W MED PRINCESS E, Elizabeth, QueeneofEngland,&c. A mod gracious defender of the true ChriHian Faith. Iohn Calvin. ! Lt hough in correcting andpolifhing of this Commetary ,mofl no- ble (Otieene ,1 haue trauelled with fuch diligence, that it ma) well beeflecmed anew booke: yet becaufe in the firfl edition it was dedicatedtoyour brother King Edward, who in his infancy far re fur faffed the men of his time 5 whofe memoric alfo I w.'fl) euer to flourifl), as worthily it deferues : I was determi- ned to alter nothing touching the inscription. But becaufe in this miferable and wofull pattering of the Church, and the abolijhingof the fwceredoilrine which hath happened info flwrt a (pace, with an incredible violence • this booke, with the whole word of God, was bamjhed England for a time: and that now as I hope it (hall be receiued (as before) at your hippie en- trance into that kingdome-, I haue committed no ab fur dkie, as I thinke, if together with the name offo worthy and excellent a King, J alfo ioyneyottrs-jvhich all good men do both hue and honour. 7 'eajbt fides this occafwi which thus offers it felfe-, ntcefitie alfo mell,may now returne home to their houfes by your fauour. As for vs, who for good caufe haue bitterly bewailed fo lamentable aJJ>ec7acle(we,l fay) hatieiufl occafion gitienvs now to be glad, and togratifieyou, whenbythedemencie of youreie, weprefently fee theway made open to our brethren, not onelie to fierue Godwith freedomc in your CMaiefiies dominions -3 but alfo to be a meanes whereby others may enioy the like benefit there with them. To conclude, mofl noble gueene,if of your fauour you accept {aslhopeyou will) this teflimonie of the reuerence which I owe to your Greatneffe 3 though many may ejleeme the fame fmalt and contemptible : yetflialll thinke my felfe abundantly recompenced, and will all my life endeuour by all meases pofible to manifeflmy thankefulneffe to your Highncffe for the fame. The Lord guide andgouerne you,moft noble Queene, by his Spirit ofwifdome streng- then you with inuincible fortitude -3 defend and inrich your Htghnes with all forts of buf- fings. From Geneua, theyeere 1559. Ianuarie the 15. which,as they fay, is ap- pointed for the day of your Coronation 5 for which caufe I did the more willingly fet pen to paper, hauing obtained fomereleafe from a quart tn \^igue. TO TO THE MOST NOBLE AND RENOWMED, Edward THE .fixthj King of England, &c. A trueChriftian Princes. Iohn Calvin. Lbeit I acknowledge(moft noble Prince)this Commentaric to be faithfully and aptly gathered from my ordinarie readings: yet in regard it was polifhed by another hand ; at the firft I feared, left being publilhed vnder the title of your name, it might feeme I had not furnifhed my felfe with a prefent worthie of your Maieftie. But one fpeciall reafon among others, in the end freed mee from this feare; namely,that as this Princely Prophet dcfcended of the blood Royall; and a mod honourable Ambaffa- dor of Chrift the Soueraigne King, futed well with yourperfon : fo I hoped that my labours which I haue taken in expounding his prophecies, would bee accepted and elteemed of you. Moreouer, feeing he had good experience of the difpofition offiue Kings,far vnlike each other,to whom he continually preached: yet I need not aduertife you,which of thefe you ought to folIow,neither yet to exhort you to the performance of fuch duties, vnto which you mew your felfe alreadiemoft willing. Vz,z,iah m& Iothim huo\itc&\\\m; and yet they wanted fufficient courage ill erec"tincr Gods pure worfhip : the greateft conflicts he fuitained was with sAhaz,: not that he was an open enemie ; but a falfe hypocrite,full of diffimuIation,and trcacherie. And what ene- mies^ pray you)gaule Gods fcruants more then fuchfHis fucceflbr Hez,echiah not only re- uerenced this holy perfonage,but alfo modeftly,as one of the comon fort,fubmitted him- felfe to his dodtrinejobeyed his counfcls,and fuffcred himfelf to be gouerned by his admo- nitions. Nay which is more, he willingly yeelded to be iTiarply reprooued by the Prophet when need required. The laft,which was CManajfes, w\\o,zs all the Iewes with one con- fent affirme,was his father in law.wickedly flew him by cruell torments. Yea, euen during the time that good Kings aided him,and alio vnder Hez,echiM; who fhewed himfelfefb godly a protestor ofpietie and godlineflc, yet then,washe continually vexed with fharpe and tedious trauels,and made to vndergoe very grieuous conflicts : fo difficult and rare a thingisittofecmenconfent to wholfome dodtrine. I fay more; fuch as will faithfullie and vprightly difcharge their duties in this propheticall function, muft needes make ac- count to be at continuall oddes with the world. So much the more therefore ought faith- full Kings,by their defence, to fuccour the Minilters of Chrilt, that they be not molefted nor prefled aboue meafure,by the infolencie of the wicked. But by how much the more as this vertue is excellent, and truely heroicall ; fo if wee fliall call to mind what hath pad in all the ages from the firft (till now;) how rarely ha th it been found; orhowfewhauegiuenthemfeluesto the praclifeofit? Many being remifle and fainthearted,haue through meere negligence fuffered Gods truth to be fupprclTed, as ifthe matter had not at all concerned them. The greater part fhewing thcmfeluesaduer- fari cs,haue with furie and violence rufhed againlt it. And would to God allthofe who at this day profeflethemfeluesChriftians,had but fo much heart to aduance the doclrinc of faluation, as they are proudein glorying of this name. But The EpiBk to I\jng Edward. But to be filcnt touching others,we may yet at the laftworthilie efteeme this comfort" pot as a common fauour,in the miferies wherein the Church now is, that you,mofl noble King.haue been raifed vp of God,with this fpirit,and excellent magnanimitie of mind, to maintaine the pure religion; and as effectually to offer vnto God your feruice in this be- halfe, as you know he receiues and approoues the fame at your Maicfties hands. For how- foeuer the affaires oftheKingdome be yetmanaged by your honourable Counfell : and that as wel the moft noble Duke of Somnierfet, your Maiefties Vncle,as alfo many others, haue taken the caufe ofreligion fo to heart,that they labour diligently (as it is very fit they fbould) to eftablifh the fame : yet doe you infuch fort outgoe them all ; that it wellap- peares,thc zeale which thcyfec in you prouokes them not a little to follow you. For you haue the fame,not only to be of fuch a princely difpofition as promifeth much,and to haue fome feeds of vertues alfo, (which yet neuerthelefle feemes great info young yeeres) but more then that, fuch a ripeneffe of thefe vertues alrcadie growne beyond your age; which to the mod aged.gets not only rare praife,but alfo makes them much to be admired. And aboueal,fo greatly is yourpietiecommended,that lam very welaffured our Prophet fhal haueone, that wil with like refpedt reuerence him being dead,as Hezskjas did whileft he was lining. As concerning the fruite which may happily redound vnto you thereby, it is beft your felfc fhould leariie it by your owne experience in reading of him : and yet I haue touched that alfo a little ih the preface. There is only one thing which I haue determined to fay vn- to your Maieftie,(and this it is:) After the Prophet hath laid foorth Gods iuft complaints againft thisfovnthankfullapeople,andhath threatned the Iewes with fuch chaftifements as their difloyallreuolt, and defperate obiUnacie deferued; namely,that the time appro- ched,wherein they fhculd be brought to an horrible ruine: foorthwith comming to fet foorth the new and incredible reftauration of the Church, hee promifeth that God will fo refpect the fame,ihat in defpite of all her cnemies,fhce fhall alwaies flourifh in beauty,and happineflc. Thofe which returned from the captiuitie of Babylon felt this ioyousand blefTedcfratejWhcn the facrifices being againe newly erected, they might conceiue fome good hope of greater benefitSjthen thofe which they then enioyed: as when we behold the breakc of day, wee expeft the Sunne-rifing foone after. But when Chrift the funne of righteoufneffe appeared with his glorie in his Gofpell, the thing it felfcgreatly furpafTed all that which had been highlie praifed by the Prophets reuelations. Within fhortfpace the knowledge of the true God was difperfed almoft throughout the whole world. The pure religion which before was defpifed and fhutvp within the bounds of Iudeah(as in a narrow corner) now began to bee fpread ipto al nations and pro- uinces,yea,fo honoured, that God was called vpon with oneconfent of faith byinfinit multitudes. The fonneofGodhauing here and there gathered the Churches, fet vp his royall throne,andaduanced the fame into the higheft degree to be feene of all from the Eaft vnto the Wefr. The Churches adorned with admirable graces of the holy Ghof^not onely tafled of the incomparable fruite of the diuine goodneffe, but were alfo faire and fliining theaters to manifeft the wonderfull power of God, euen to fuch as were blind. Anda!beit,Chriftraignedvnderthe croffe,yet amiddeft the ficrie conflicts and perfecuti- ons.his glorie iliined more gIoriouflie,and his triumphs more fiately, then if the Church had alwaies enioyed tranquillitie. In the end it came to pafTe,that that hautie pride of the Rom2ne Empire fubmitting it felfalfo vnto Chrift, was a lingular ornament to the houfe of God.But the malice & ingra- titude of men was the caufe why this happineffe laded not fucceffiuely. And fo the fpoufe ofChriftasoneftrippedoffbpretiousa robe, fpoiled of her dignitie , and depriued of her honourable attire, wasbroughtbackeagainetoa mifcrable deformitie : yet God al- waies preferued fome remainders,as it were in fecret corners;but as touching the outward face ofthc Church,for the fpace of many yeeres, nothing appeared anywhere, butfeat- terings and confufed wafts. And we at this day behold how the Roman Antichrift, vfur- ping farre and neere ouer the fandtuarie of the Lord,by a facrilegious tyrannie holds it vn- der his feet rent and opprefTed. For feeing the puritie of doctrine is there corrupted by monftrous errors,and that Gods feruice being ouerturned, idolatries raigne there without number ; that in ftead of a gouernement rightly inftitutcd, a cruell torture hath been brought The EpiHleto F^ing Edward. brought in,that the Sacraments be in part by groffc and abfurd abufes corrupted.and part- ly fhamcfully fettofalc : w hat rcmaincthcrc(I pray you) but wofull ruines ofthatnatu- rall beautic of the fpirituall building ? Notwichltatuliiig the Lord in our times hath begun againe to fct vp that which was fal- len downc, that at lcaft there might be fomc image of the true Temple where he was pure- ly ferucd according as he hath ordained in thcCofpcl. To which end he hath felcdtcd out as it were from among the lcaft of the common pcoplc,his chicfc buildcrs,ioachiancc this worke by fmcere doctrine. I grant, it isofitfclfc a difficult workc.and of gi cat waight, though Satan fhould let vs alone in quiet. Butifeuen uowwhilcft fomcpartofthisbuil- ding is railed vp,he doth his vtmoft to break it downc,is it any maruell if we labour much, and with great care, & yet fee little or no fruit for the prefent to come of our Iabors?Ther- fore thefe mightie Giants proudly fcorne vs: as ifwhilellweftudyinghowto praclifc the ruinc of the tyrannous Romanc fca ; wee fliould ftriuc to oucrthrow the mount Olympus. Thefe great wits alfo,who (as they thinke)know fomewhat, deride our diligence; in regard we arc focarneftly bulled inreltoring the Churchtoherfirfteftate.-asifin the fame any certaineorfetled eftatc were to be cxpected.For thefe(forfooth)imagine that they are fo well founded,and on all fides fo fumifhed,that it is no leffe eafie to abolifh popcric,thcn to mingle hcaucn and earth together. But the conceit of thefe wife men differs fome- what. For in regard the pcruerfitie of the world is fo great, that it cannot be held in awe, they thinke we traucl in vaine,and againft the ftrcame to feeke in correcting viccs,to haue a pure and finccre administration of a Church. The flout of Erafintts is well enough know ne; What hopes CaJ>'t0 of the tenth which fhall come after him ? It cannot be deni- ed but fVolfttngns Capito was an holy man, who with a molt fincere affection endcuoured to purge the Church. Butbecaufehe wasperfwaded that the Miniftcrs of Chrift fhould no leffe lofe their labour in correcting the ftubborneneffe of the world, then if they fliould haue taken vpon them to haue forced the ftreame the contrarie way (for thus thev arc wont to thinke who talke of things in the fhade) he taxeth vs all of inconfideratc zeale in the pcrfon of one. But both the one and the other are much dcceiucd,in that they conlldcr nor,that wee foimploy our felues in the Lords fcruice,as he hath commanded,thatin the meane while the reftauration of the Church is meerely the worke of his ownc hands.Nci- thcris it without caufe that the whole Sctipturc commonly teftifics, and that our Prophet againe and againe fo carefully repeates it. Wherefore being mindfull ofthis doctrine, let vs no way be difcouraged from vndertaking vndcr Gods guidance,a bufineffe which farre furmounts our owne abilities; that fo no encumbtances may either breake offour purpofe, or fo weakenvs.thatwe fhould defift from our enterprife. And here I doe exprefly fummon you,moft excellent King, or rather God by the mouth ofhis Prophet //rf/^callesyou,namely, to goe on in imploying whatfoeuer power and force God hath endued you withall ; and with newencreafes to let forward the reltaurati- on of the Church, which is now fo happily begun in your kingdome. Firft.you daily heare and rcade that this charge is committed vnto you in that Kingdom ouer which God hath placed you. Yea,and Ifa:ah,zs I haue faid,calling Kings nurcing fathers ofthe Church,per- mits not that the helpe which fhee in this behalfe requires of you in her affliction, fliould now be wanting vnto her. Neither ought your heart to bee lightly touched with that, where the Prophet denounceth an lieauie curfe to fall vpon all Kings and nations, which fliall defraud her of their aide. Againe, your Maieftie alfb euidently knowes, that euen the neceffitie of thefe times re- quires it. And albeit by yourendeuours,it may be you fhall gaine little;yet knowing how acceptable a feruice this is vnto God, and that itis a fweete imelling fauourinhisno- ftriIs,no dangers whatfoeuer oHght to turne you from this enterprife. Seeingthen that God thus exhorts you to behaue your felfe valiantly, and therewithal! promifeth you an happy iffuerwhy fhuld you not cheerfully follow him whe he ca!s you ? In another place our Prophet cr\QS;Prepare,preparethevrayformypeople.\t\s\\c\cno\.\c,\x know ne,how there was no hope that the poore captiues could bee reftored home to their countrieagaine,neither wan this prefently performed. But in regard the Prophet by the fpiritofprophefie,thenforefayv what the pofteritie fhould effectually feele, lelt by iola- A mentablc The Epfflle to KJng Edward. mentable a fpe£acle,the faithfull might be difcouraged,he preuents them betimesjtelling themthat there ate no obftacles or impediments,whatfoeuer (be they as firme and as clofe as they maybe)thorow which Godwil not make a waytodeliuerhisChurch.Neitherdo we ftand in leffe need of coniolation to quicken vs vp at this day. And as for you,moft noble Kin^,itis vcryrequifit thatyoubereadieand watchfull,in refpe<5t of the charge which is committed vnto you, feeing Ifaiab exhorts all Kings and Magiftrates, in the perfbn of Cy- rus,to reach foorth their hand to the Church in her trauel,to the end fhee may be reftored to her former eftate. Although in this regard your condition differs much from that of Cyrus, \n that he being but a (hanger ouer the Lords flock was neuer taught expreflie,wil- lingly,and with a franke courage to offer himfelf to reftore &maintaine the Church : but you,whom the Lord hath net only vouchfafed to recciue by adoption,but hath alfo placed you in higheit ranke among his children; the Prophet calles you to this officers if he rea- ched you out his hand. So much the more confidently therefore,and with the more ardent afreclion ought you to proceede on in this race. The matter (as I haue faid)is in it felfe full of ."Treat difficulties, intangled with much tedioufnefle, and mingled with dangers; be- caufe Satan ceafcth not to broch his cunning fhifts and deuiccs(if by any meane he might) either to ouerthrow,or deftroy the holie temple of God ; fomctimesalfb God by filch tri- als will prooue our conftancie. But if you be refolued,that hitherto you haue enterprifed nothing by your raoft graueCounfellbutby diuineauthoritie from Gods word, and that for the prcfentyou fo continue in refloring the eftate of^ Church, no doubt but you fhall find by experience how wonderfully God will effect that which he hath giuen hisMini- ftcrs in charge. England fhall receiue an incomparable fruit from thisfo happie agoing forward : and we fhall haue caufe too,with you and your whole kingdome to reioyce. In the meane while I will not ccafe to further your holy endeuours,as there is good caufe,by my poore prayers, in regard they are the beft meanes I am able to afford you. Farewell moft noble King.The Lord long preferue your flourifhing eftate, affift and guide you by his holy fpirit,and in all things blcfle and profper you. So be it. From Geneua this fiue and twentieth of December. Totbe^Rcadcr, Ffuchpretiousefteemc (Chriftian Reader) were the ex- pofitions of this reuerend author in the Church of (7*- [ ntua, that albeit (ome of them wereby himfelf * fpoken, * Towif, his and others of them * written in Latin ; and that in fauor usS?***. n the Pro- hets.w'iich of the learned cfpecially : yet becaufe with his more then ordinaric depth of iudgement he alvvaies matched a lin- gular fimplicitie and plaineneflc, lb that hee therein m{^ ftoopes to the capacitie, euen of the fimplcft; it was {^5*2* thought fit, that by fome of good note in the faid Church, they fhould all ^n0„t'.m' be tranflated into the vulgar French, for the benefit of all fuch as vnderftood ».S, • f and ./'ter- tnciame. wird, vndcr Which commendable zeale and godly care of theirs,as it worthily prouo- htYcffb^o ked many of this our Church for the common good, (at the happie entrance of n»^,ua. our late deare and dread Soueraigne Ladie Queene -E/r^rt^intothis king- ^"mciy.h.v dome) totranflate diuers of his Commentaries vpon the bookes both of the ^T,^* * old,and * new Teftamcnt into Enghfli ; fo if their good beginnings had been {!?£ wriBM feconded by anfwerable proceedings, thoufands might,I doubt not,hauerea- fp'retim« ped the like fruit by thofe that areyet *vntranflated, which they haue done by M^La?1* the former. Wherefore,this feruice to the Church of God hauing been a long wy^nd time negleclcd,and not hearing of any that purpofed to fet his helping hand to * *'• theE- this fo neceflarie a bufineffe, I thought it might happily proouc alabour not al- A^Rom. together vnfeafonable nor vnprofitable,if according to my poore abihtielen- ^Njmdy.hi. deuoured cither to continue forth thofe former good beginnings, or at leafl J^0";^0." thereby to quicken vp the care of fuch as are much more able then myfelfe,(ieofl"e- r t r mijh,the La- to proiecute the lame. . men.iCi- were an abomination totheLord. And to preucnt the replies which they might make,namely,that their condi- tion fliould be worfe, then that of the infidels, who had their Southfayers, A- ftrologers,Sacrificers,and fuch like,of whom they mightaske aduiceand coun- fel; but they fhuld be deftituted of any that might be abletogiue themfatisfa- ets,by whom he wil manifeft his wil, who alfb fhall faithfully teach them whatfbeuerhee fhall giue them in charge } that they rnighthauenocaufetocomplaine for the time to come, as if any thing were wanting vnto them. I granr,that in that place Mofes mentions a Prophet, and not Prophets. Not- withftandingitisachangeofthenumber,to wit, the lingular for the plurall, a thing common in the Scriptures. And howfoeuer the place ought properly and principally to bee vnderftood ofChrift(asS. Peter expounds it Act.3.) in regard he is the Prince of the Prophets,and that all of them,with their doctrine alfo depend vpon him, and with one content aime at him: yetby this name, which is collediue, it alfo comprehends the reft of the Prophets. The Lord then hauing promifed them Prophets, by whom hee would de- clare vnto them his counlcll and will, he commanded the people to reft in their expofition and doctrine. Not that the Prophets fhouldadde any thing to the law,but that they fhould faithfully expound the fame, and conferue the autho- rise thereof. Whence alfb it is, that CMalachi exhorting the people to perfift in thatdo- Mal.4.4. c^tin^foith} or rather God by him : Remember the Law of Mofes myferuant, which Ignue him in Horebfor allljrael. Thus bringing them backe to Gods law onlj-^ and commanding them to be content therewith. But would Malachi haue them to defpife the Prophets then t No. But for afmuch as the prophefies are dependan- ces of the law,and that the law fummarilie comprehends them all, this exhorta- tion fuffked. For fuch as are well acquainted with the fumme of the doctrine, and principall heads of it, hauing their willes well inclined thereto ; it is cer- taine that they will not contemne the prophefies: for it were athingtoofond toboaftof hauing affection to the law, and yet in the meane while not to make anyaccount of thediuine interpretation thereof: fuchasare fbmeat this day, Note. who are fo fhamelefTe,that they dare brag of louing Gods law, and the whileft cannot endure to bee admonifhed or reprehended by the doctrine which is dra wne and collected from the fame. Thus when the Prophets deale with mens manners, they bring in no new TbeErftta- thing, butexplane thofe things which were mifunderftood in the law. As for example, the people thought they haddonetheirdutiestothevtmoft, when they had offered facrifices,and obferued the ceremonies : for the world is wont alwaies to meafure God according to their owne ell,and to botch him vp a car- nail feruice. This corruption the Prophets reproouc fharpely, fhewing that all ceremonies are nothing where the integritieofthe heart is wanting -3 and that God will be worfhipped by faith,and a right inuocating of his name. This was manifefted to them plainely enough in the law, but it was needfull it fhould take a deeper imprcn*ion,and that they fhould be put againe in mind of it. The hypocrifie, wherewith men maske themfelues vnder the vaile of ceremonies, was tobedifcouered. As touching the fecond table,the Prophets thence drew their exhortations, fhewing how all wrong,fraud and violence was to be abandoned.The Prophets office then was nothing elfe,but to hold the people in obedienccto Gods law. In the threatnings and promifes they haue fbmething more fpeciall. For what Mofes propounded in generall,they defcribe in particular. Befides, they had vifions,which were proper to them: by which the Lord reucaled things to come, that fo they might applie the promife and threatnings tothcpeoples vfc,and might further allure them of Gods will. Mofes He The fecond cibl*. Vifioiu. THE PREFACE/ Mofcs threatens, Godwillpurfue thee with thefword,the enemies fhall vex thee with- ^^«^cs. tut, and within,domc(ticall contentions (\u\l annoy thee. Thy life /hall hang as by 4 thready tkoajhalt tremble at the fi. iking of a ieafe 5 and fuch other things. But the Prophets fay: Behold ,God bath raifed a^atnfl thee the (word of theCh.il- Th.Pi«fh:ti deans, and of the Egyptians : alfo, God hath armed theje to the bat/ell. This citiefball be dejlrojedatfucha time. The like is to be raid of the promifes. Mofesl'ml\If thou obfirttejl the commandements , God will btejj'e thee. And then ««** he goes on in recounting bleffings in generall. But the Prophets in particular arhrme, The Lord will bleffe thee in fuch a Ti*P'ophcu tfjing. Alio the Lord promifeth by Mofesin thefe words, Mthough thou wertfeattered Mote* anddriuen tothe vtmofl parts of the earth, yet from thence will I gather thee. But the Prophets promife, that albeit the Lord hath Scattered them asfarreas iheP.ophct* Babylon, yet within jo.yeeres he willcaufe their sjptiuitie t» returne. And as touching the free couenant which God made with man through commm of Chriff,thc Prophets are much more euident; and doe much more confirme Brm' the people in it. For they fit Chrijl before their eies, when they would comfort the faithful!, and raile vp their minds to the hope of hiscomming, euenasit were to the foundation, and to the place of the couenant, vnto whom the effect of the promifes was to be referred. Whofoeuer fhall ponder thefe things, fhalleafilie perceiue what hee is to feekcintheProphets,and\vhereunto their writtings tend. Butfortheprefenr, itfufficeth that we haue pointed it foorth as with the finger. Hence we may foone gather how wee ought to handle the doctrine of the vvord,and how we ought to imitate the Prophets; who Co much admired it, that thence they collected the admonitions, reprehenfions, threatnings and confolations, to applie them to the peoples vfe. For though it benotdailie re- NoMl uealed vnto vs what we ought to doe,yet are wee to compare the conuerfation of the people of our times, with that of the people of old ; and by hiftories and examples to denounce the iudgements of God. Namely,that from the venge- ance he tooke vpon fuch finnes in that time,he will likcwife be reuenged vpon uk°« wiS. thofe that reigneeuery where in our time. Why fo^ Becaufe heisalwaicslike himfelfe. Thefaithfull teachers then mult come furnifhed with the like wifdome,if they meanc to handle the doctrine of the Prophets profitablie. Thus much as touching the prophefies in generall. To come to our Prophet I(aiah:the infeription fiifficiently fhewes both what TbtiDc<,ip he was,and in what time he publifhed his prophefies. For his father is here na- aon- med,towit, K^imos brother of sity-ias king ofluda. Whence itappeares hee in^hd*. wasofthebloodroyall: and of this opinion are all the ancients. Andyet nei- thcnbiooaf therhisftocke,norneereaffinitietotheKing (for the Iewes affirme he was fa- R°ralL thcr in law of CManaJfeh) could hinder him from being put to death in hatred of his doctrine,neither was he refpected any more,then if he had been of fome bale eftate or condition. The names of the Kings here mentioned, fet foorth the time, in which hee The time prophefied. There are fome who thinke that he began about the end of V^i- p^hefied 4&fraigne. And they take their coniecture from the vifion which is recorded in the fixthchapter,by which he teftifies hee was confirmed. But this conie- cture is too weake ; as fhajl be fhevved in place conuenient. It rather appeares by the infcription3that he prophefied inthedaies oiVzJah-^ of which I fee no- thing -THE PREFACE. thing to the contrarie. How cuer it bee,it plainely appeares that he prophefied aboue £4. yecrcs. For Jothra raigned 1 6. yeeres : K^ibaz, as much^Hezekias 29. This makes 6\. Ad thofe in which he prophefied vnder VzAah^ and afterwards iCi ,h r»t to vnder Ma/taffes ,who put him to death : Thefe at the lead will make vp fy.ycres; d«th by Ma- jn which Ifatib ceafed not to performe the office of a Prophet. And it may well be that he prophefied longer: but of this we can gather no certemie from the hiftorie. irauh..i ps- This then oughtto beferiouflie marked of all the Minifters of the word,that p"5or°.ra fromhis example, they may learne patiently to bearethe burthen oftheirof- fice, though it be cumberfomc and painefull: not thinking it any di/grace to f uffer many fore and tedious trauels, feeing they haue fo many worthie pa- ternesfet before them. I grant it muft needs difcourage them exceedinglie, when they ice that things goe not forward ; and that their labours take not f uch good fucceffe as they defire : thinking it bettet to leaueall,rather then to beftow io much labour in vainei They haue need therefore often to remember, and to fet before their eies fuch examples. (Why fo i) Becaufc Ifaiah fainted nor, al- though he gained little by fo many painfull trauels. leremiah. Jeremiah alfo ceafed not by the fpace of 50. yeeres to call vpon this people, who in the meane while hardned their hearts the more: and yetweefee they forfboke not their charge, whatfbcuer difficulties came betweene. Euen fo muft wee follow our vocation, and conftantlie beare all forts of encum- brances, ihe change Notealfo the circumftance ofthe change of Kings which are here numbred of Kings. ^ chap.i.i.For it is impoffible that info great diuerfitie, the State fhould al- waies continue alike. No doubt but many troubles fell out. And yet our Pro- phet perfeuered with an inuincible conftancie j and neuer fuffered his heart to be ouercomeoffeares. Qafi- But fomc may aske whether Ifaiab himfelfe put this title to his prophefie, or Anr. fbmc other. None ofthe expofitors that I haue read,anfwers this queftion. For my owne part,albcit I am not very well fatisfied,as touching this queftion, yec I will fhew what I thinke. How the After the Prophets had preached to the people, they gathered a compendia wcrercoicir °us fumme of their fermon 5 which they affixed to the gate ofthe Temple, that a'J- the prophefie might the better be viewed and learned of all. And after it had re- mained there a fufficient time for fbme certaine daiesj the Minifters of the Temple took it downe,and put it into the treafurie ofthe Temple, that the me- morie thereof might continue for euer. Very likely it is (I fay) that the bookes ofthe Prophets were thus gathcred,as may appeare by the fecond Chapter of mha.i.2. Habacuk; whofoeuerbe difpofed to confider the fame well : as alfo from the &*££ eight of this prophefie. The Pro he- Now this was done no doubt by'the fpeciall prouidence of God, that by the des prefer. Priefts themfclues,whofe office it was to conferue the prophefies for fuch as? fioguL pro- fliould fucceed, it is come to pafTe that wee at this day enioy thefe trea- co"ccof Tures 5 which they for the raoft part lightly efteemed. For the Priefts were the greateft enemies, that the Prophets had to deale withall. -.. .An Epigram vpon the Tmnflation of M. Caluins Commcntarie vpon the Pro- phccie of Ifaiah. THrice happie(England) if thou knewfl thy bliffe, Since Chilis et email G off ell in theejhin'd Thou art. H'ii beetle- blind that fees not this, Brutijlily ingrate that with a thankfull mind Doth not acknowledge Gods great Grace herein, And Icarnes thereby for to for fake hisfinne. Gods word hath long in thee been foundly taught, The found thereof hath rung throughout the Land, And many a Soule by Fifhers net been caught, Vf'hich erst lay thradin Satans cruellband: This fauour great by none can be exprefl, Butfuch as haueitfeltin their owne brejl. Thy natiue fonnes in thine owne bowels bred, Like faithfullShepheards haue done worthilie, Andthte withjloreof heauenlte CMannafed, Forcing the wolues to leaue their crueltie, To(linke afide,andhide themfelues in holes, In caues and dens, like pur-blind Backs and Moles* Tyndall,Frith,PhiIpot, father Latimer, The Gofpellpreacht by word, by life, by death : Iuel,Fox,Reynolds,Fulk Whefe Oracles great Caluin doth unfold In thine owne natiue Tcngttefor thy So tiles health. Hercmaifi thou gather precious Stones and Gold, And (lore vp heapes cfHcaucnly lajiing wealth j Here maift thou find with very little paine Which woutdf net lofefor thou find Worlds againe. Here maifl thou fee the black-month d Atheifls Cfin founded quite by Demon f ration cleare j The cunning Papiflput vnto hisjhifts, And made in his right Colours to appeare ; Hers Chrifl, his Truth, and Life, theefet be fort, Heauens Gates ft open wide: what wouldjl thou more? By Francis HeringJDoctor in Phyficke. A COMMENTARIE VPON THE PROPHESIE OF Isaiah, WRITTEN BY THAT REVEREND AND PAINEFVLL Paftorjin the Church of Chrift,Mafter lOHN CALYIN, Verf.I . A vtjion of I faith the Sonne »fz/£mosfvhichhefxx concerning ludah tmdlernfaleWy in tbedaies of Vz,z,iab, Jet bant, Ah. t^, and Hez^kiah Kings of ludah. lLthough the Hebrew word c baipn which the Prophet vfeth be de- riued of feeing , and doth properly fignific ■wJJon : yet notwith- standing for die moft part it imports alinuch as \eueUuon. For as oft as the Scripture makes mention of fpe- ciall vifions which appeared to the Pro- phets , whereby the Lord meant the better to confirme them when hee would haue fome excellent thing come to light , it v- feth the word JMareah , which properly lig- nifies vifioH. But to the end I heape not vp many teftimonies , in the third chapter of l.Stm.j.l. the firft bookc of Samuel (where mention is ij. made in gcnerall of proprieties) the author ofthat booke faith.that the word of the Lord was precious in thofe dayes, becaufe there was no manifeft virion (where he vfeth the word Chacon) and a little after, the virion by which God mamfeftcth himfelfe to S smut I. is expreffed by the word^lfarfu/i. Alfo in the Vumb.l X.6 twelfth chapter of the bookc of Numbers, where .JW»/m diftinguilheth the two ordina- rie meanes of Rcuelation , hee there with dreames conioyneth vifion as the fpcciall. I.SMB.99. And yet by the ninth chapter of the fame bookc of Samuel, it appeares that the name of Seer was impofed in old time vpon the Prophets: but by way of excellencicjbecaufe God difcoucred his counfcll familiarly vnto them. Now as touching this prefent place, it is out of doubt that the certaintic of doctrine is deciphered out vnto vs by this very word ; as if it had been laid; There is nothing con- tained in this booke which was not manife- fkd to Jjaiab by God himfelfe. Wherefore the true ienfe of the word is to be obferuedi for thereby wee learne, that the Prophets (pake not of thcmfclues, neither yet prefer- red rheir ownc imaginations : but that they were enlightened by God,and had their eyes opened to fee thofe things which othcrwife of chemfelucs they had not been able to haue comprehended. The doctrine of jjatcb then, eucn in the very in!cnption,is recom- mended vnto vs ; to witjbccaufc itcontaines nothing of mans inuention, but the renttati- ons of God i to the end we might bee allured that whatfoeuer is contained in this bocke, wis feuealed vnto him by the holy GhoiT. C»nctrning judah.~] It were not araifle if it were tranflated Against Judah. For the par- ticle il lignifies both the one and the other; and the ienfc will be all one : for whatfoe- uer this bookc contains, it doth properly ap- pertaine to Judah and feru/alem. But if any Oicftion. ihall object that there are many things ming- led in this booke which concerne Miypt, Tyrus, Baby!o»,viWh other cities and coun- tries : the anfwere is, that it was not necefla- *nrwcr. rie to recite eucry particular in the inferip- tion ; becauGs it was fufficient that the prin- cipal! fumme ihould be let before vs,thereby lhewing to whom the Prophet was chicfcly fent, namely, to ludali and t^i/alem. For whatfoeuer his prophefies confine it is accidentally as they fay : neithei yet was it any digrifling from the fcope of his office to preach to others alio what calamities ap- proached neere vpon them: for Amos, though he were fpeciaUy lent to them of IiratJ, yet palled hee not the bounds of his vocation when he prophclicd alfo againlt Im/Ui : yea Gal.i.t ' we haue yet a more familiar example hereof #7 I0' inS. P«crand S. Paul; Prtcrwasappoynccd ^j, / ■' ouer thelcwcs, and Pna/ouer the Gentiles, i4,j.^. ,_ and yet Saint Vaer pafl'td not beyond the bounds ot his office in preaching to the Gcn- tilcs,as when he went in to Coi»e/;Kj.neuher S. Paid, when he offered the preaching of the Gofpell to the Icwcs,to whom he rcfortcd as lbonc as he entred into any citic. And thus was itlawfullfor Ifaiao to doe, in IikemaiW ner. Nor whileft he cntkuourcdiodiicjurpc B. his 1. 10. &. 18. 4.1?. iA Comment arte auid,is com- prchended vnder this name of ludab. Verf.2. Htare Oheauens, andthoti earth hearken ifoY the Lord hath (aid, I haue Kourilhed, ai'dbrottght vp children,_ but they haue "rebelled again ft me. ISaiah hath here imitated TAtfts: for fo it is the cuftome ofali the Prophets to>doe; neither is it to be doubted but he alludes to that excellent fong of M&fes, Deutiji.i. in the very entrance whereof he calsheauen and earth to wi'.icffc againft the people. I graunt that it is a terrible proteftation : for it is as much as if both of them fhould turne themfelues to the dumbe elements voyde of fenfe, becaufe men had no cares tohearc, but were become vtterly benummed in all their fenfes. lfa-.ab then fpeakes here as of a rare and prodigious thing, which were e- ucn enough to finite the very elements with aftonifhir» -.-. ''hough otherwife fenfelefle int'- -■■•,"4P 7or what could be more hor- .ee the Ifraelites reieft the Lord,:,- )niwnom they had receiuedfomany benefits ? Thofe who by beatttn, vnderftand the Angcls,and by earth, men, doe too much leffen the force of thefe words : and doe alio take away that wherein the chiefeft weight of the Prophets vehemencie lieth. Now all the expofitors alrnoft doe finilh the claufe, For the Lord hath (po^eii, here: As if the Pro- phet meant to fay,Seeing God hath opened his facred mouth, it Hands all men in hand attentiuely to recciue his word. And thus the fentence in appearance indeed is more full: but the circumftance of the place re- quires another knitting together of the words ; namely, that this word hearlien bee referred, not generally to what purpofe one will; but lblelyand onely to the next com- plainff Andfo, the fenfe is thus 3 Heare the complaint which God commenceth againft you:/ haue nouriJhed,Sic.¥orhe recountsfuch amonftrousthing,as he is almoft cad into at fwound at the fight of it : fo as he is faine to call in all the inlenfible creatures (contraric to all order) to be witneflcs thereof, lhad rather then take thele things in their props* figmfication , becaufe they doe better fet forth the Prophets meaning. And to the end that no man fliould won- der why he Tpcakes thus to things without fenfe or reafon, experience it felfc notob-. fcurely tcacheth vs that .the voyce of God is heard eucn of the dumbe creatures : yea, and the very order of nature is nothing elfc but an obedience, which is yeelded vnto him thorowout all the partes of the world,to the end his fbueraigne authontie might thine in all places. For the elements, the heauens and the earth,doe their duties, and yeeld o- bedience to the commaundement which i* prefcribed them, and that at the leaft becke which God maketh to them : The earth brin- geth foorth her fruits; The Sunne, the Moone and the Starres doe finifh their cour- fes ; The Sea patTeth not beyongthe limits which God hath appointed vnto it ; The heauensalfo doe turne about to their cer- taine fpaces : Finally,in all tilings wee may obferue a wonderful! diftinction, although all thefe creatures be deftitute of reafon and vnderftanding.Butinan,who is indued there- with,^ whole eares and heart the voyce of the Lord fo often founds, as if he were whol- ly fenfelefle, moouethnot, neither boweth hehisnecketo fubmit himfelfe to the obe- dience of his God. The dumbe and infenfi- ble creatures then fhall beare witnes againft fuch obftmate and rebellious perfons, to the end they may one day feele that this ob- tcftation was not vfed in vaine. I haue neuriJhed.yWord for word it is,I haue made them great. But becaufe he fpeaketh of children, wee cannot turne it better then that, I haue noitr'ifhtd, or brought vp. For the Latines,in Head of nourifhing ; fay, to bring vp children. Yet hee by and by addes other benefits wherewithall hee had w,ondetfullic inriched them : as if he lhould fay,I haue not onely performed the office of a good father in nourifhing, and fuftainirtg you in this life: but I haue alfo taken paines to exalt you to honour and dignitie. For there was no kind offauour or mercie which the Lord withheld from the, euen as if he meant wholly to emp- tie himfelfe. As hereafter in the fifth chap- ter he reprocheth them faying, What could I haue done any more to my vineyard that I haue not done vnto it ? Why?the Lord might very well haue faid as much to all nations, feeing hee nourifhed, and beftowed many bleffings vpon them : but the Ifraelites were his fpeciall chofen people, whom he had a- dopted before the reft of the world to him- felfe, and intreated them as his moft deerc children, embracing and cherifhing them with a fpeciall care, eucn as in his very bo- fbme. In a word, he adorned and beautified them with all manner of good things. Now to applie this to our time ; let vs con- fider Trcpbcfoof J fad. Chap. i. I fidcr whether our condition hec notliltc,or rather uv.ich better dun th:rot tb* I aunacnitirccs.Tbe adoption ot God obliged them u> the purine ot'ha ftmkx : our bond or obligation •* double : namely, bccaule he harh not oncly redeemed vs by the blood of Chriftjbut becaufc he who hath once vouch- faftd to ddiucr vs, doth ftill altvsaooto himlclfc by the preaching of the ( arid therein prefer* vs farre before all il.oic whomhelmh yet left blinded in their igno- rance. If wc acknowledge not thefe things, of h«w mud) greater punilhmcra (hall i»e be worthic 1 for bv how much the more the grace of God hath been abundantly powred forth vpon vs,oflo much the more ingrati- tude ihall wc be contunced before h:m. buitbfyhmcrebtlicdl S. f tiemt translates it,They haue defpifcd mc. But it appcarcs fufficicntly by other places, that the Hebrew word .^i/;j/.<.cxprcfleth yet lomewhat more; namclv, that they reuoltcd. Gid teflifies then tluthc could nor hold them.vnder his obedience; no not by all the benefits hee could beftow vpon them. Hut that they tur- ned away more and more, &eltraii;~ed the m- felucs,u'o otherwife then the fonne,who by leaning his fathers hotrfc, lliewes that hec is bccomcakoecther incorrigible. Icisamon- ftrous thing for children not to be obedient, to their fathers ; clpecially to fuch a one as neucrceaferh to doe them good, beftowes his whole care as it were vpon them. Uemr- f/i- wotildnotmake any lew . gunlf the vn- thankfull [becallfeirwas a thing againlr na- ture not to acknowledge a bentfit receiacch Achtldth.nth.iris ffltpankfull to his father is a double monfter, yea rather a threefold monfter agai nit a libera !1 father, whocealeth not co doe him good. For albeit the trbphet cals them dnta-Lii.it is not ciucn them heere as a title of honor,but the liiure to aggrauate this their reuolt, and to make it the more o- dious. Verfj. TbeOxe l^irretb humour, *nithezA([e his mafters Crib, but If- raelhub nctknoane: mj people hath not ®nder(iood. THis comparifon Ar th further exemplifie the enmc of their reuolt. For the Lord might well haue compared his people to the Heathen,and Infidels : but he loucheih them nccrer, in comparing them tobiute Devfts, and infhewing that they aie ) et mi Ire f wbfti then they. lor albeit thefc beafts be voyd of reafon & vndcrftandine,vctarc they tcach- able,at the leafl wife in ih:s rcf| -cylr t they acknowledge thofc whofecdes then . Seeing .then that the Lord had not only fed this peo- ple as in a ft. the or. Crib, but had ted thcra largely and abundantly, i.o i.herwi:e n.en the father doth h*s children whom lie tcn- drcth; and had not oncly pampered their bellies, but didalwales replcnilli them with fpintuall foode : had he not good eaufe, think yoUjtoeitceme them Wjithie ia.h:r to bee lent to fshook to learne ofCJ.ve/jaiid yijjtt then of men ; cfpcoally when bee fawrhey vrcrc become !o bcaitly i he lends hi- ihen 10 theft bnitc bcufl j to Jeai «c tin u du- ties of ihemAnd nomeruajlc;foi it often tah out that (he v ni calonablc rrciiurcs do better follow rbc oidct of narure, and doc in their fcinu ihew more himianitic then menrhctn- fcluts. And not toalleadgemany eXHBpl this one which ie,whuh Ooci hiinfelfe had impofed vpon. tii:s holy l'atnark,bccaufcheoueicame th'^ Angel in qc„ ,,< jgj wraftling.Which name was !b inu.h the more dalionourcd, by howimuch the mo.c thefe baibtd and degenerate children duritnot- withftanding make their bragges o.r that ti- tle. Andriift there is a dofe leprochih it ; Bi not tA Commentarie wpon the not onely becaufe they vfurped the name 6f this holy petfonage (whole vercues they imitated nothing at all) but alfo becaufe they were vnthankfull vnto God from whom they had recciued all manner of benefits. Laftly,we muft fupplie an oucrthwartcom- parifon : for the greater their dignitie was, in that they had been exalted farre aboue all other people,fo much the more (toreproch them vnder this honorable title)arethey fe- paratefrom other nations. TheGreeke In- terpreters haue added this word me; but I had rather repeate that which the Prophet hath faid,to wit,that Ifrael hath not knowne his poffelfer or owner ; that is to fay,God:nor his cnb ; that is3his Church, wherein hee was nouri(hed,and to which hee ought to bee ga- thered. Efpecially feeing thefepoorebeafts doe acknowledge their mailer that feedes them; and doe voluntarily returne to the place where they were wont to find pafture. Vcrf.4. e^Ah,finfull nation*, a people laden with iniquitie,afeede of the wicked, corrupt children: They haue for faken the Lord : they haue * prouoked the holy one of Ifrael to anger: they are gone back? ward. AW.] Although he had reproued their fault ihaipely enough, yet notwithstanding the more to ampliheit, he yet further addes' this exclamatio: by which he {hewes his dete- flation againft fo horrible and foule an in- gratitude. Some thinke this particle Ah, is put here in figne of lamenting. Saint Ierome hath interpreted it, Woe : but me thinks it Ihould more fitly agree to an exclamacioh,a- rifing partly from aftoniihinent, and partly from forrow. For wee are wont to burft into outcries,when fo vnwotthie a thing is com- niitted,that words cannot exprefle it ; or ra- ther when words anfwerable to the greatnes of thegriefe failes vs. Inftead ofjtafitllita. tion as we haue translated it, the Greeks haue turned finfull woman, the vulgar tranflation alfo bearing the fame. But the Hebrew word fignifies thofe who are giuen ouer to wicked- nes,and it is not to be doub ted,but the Pro- phet here accufeth them of their defperate malice. *A people laden] Sic. We muft note the force of the finrulitude ; for hee notonely meanes that they were plunged in their iniquities, asinadeepeminepit; but alio reprocheth them that they finned not fo much ofigno- rance or infirmitie(as the weak often do)but that they followed on and continued in their rebellion of fet purpofe. As if he Ihould haue faid, They are giuen vpto alliniuftice, and haue wholly fold ouer themfelues to com- mit euill. Where he addei, Seedeofthemc- ^;itisasmuch,asmifchieuousfeede.Sorae expounding it more wittily, fay, that they declared themfelues vnworthie to hold any place among the children ef Abraham : be- caufe they were become baftards, and dege- nerate. As inother places they are called a feede ef Canary « ihey are reproched with thenameofvneircumcifed; euenas though they had bin begottten of prophane or a ftrange people. But it is an vfua 1 manner of fpeech among ^ Hebrews; which the Greekes alio oblerued in their fpeech, when they fay, fonnes of the good,for good children. Corrupt children.) It is word for word, cor- rupting: and therefore the expofitors fup- pIie,ThemfeluesjOr,their waies.But me thinks baftard, or degenerate agrees better. For his meaning is that they are fo depraued, that they refemble their fathers nothing ac all. Moreouer,hee adornes his nation here with foure titles, which are not very feemely ; And Such indeed as were farre remote front the good conceit which they had of them- felues. But thus muft hypocrites bee dealt " with3ll,to awaken them: and the more they footh vp themfelues in cafting off the feare of" God,fo much the more muft they bee thun- dred againft. For a milder and a more gen- tle doctrine would not haue preuailedwith fuchakind of people any thingatall: nei- ther would a flight manner of repiofehaae mooued them. The falfe perfwafion therefore of their nghteoufnes and wifedome was t» be plucked away from them j for therewith they masked and difguifed themfelues, and often made their bragg;s thereof in vaine. . For they haue forfaken the Lord.-] Now hee addes thereafon why hee hath Co ihirpely and bitterly reprooued them: namely, left they Ihould camplaine as th .7 were wont to doe ; that they were too feuerely dealt with- alL Firft then he vpbraids them with that, which is the fountame of all euils : to wit, thcyh.id furfol^en the Lord. For euenas it is the chiefe perfection of righteoufnelfe to cleaue vnto God, as Miff t teacheth; Whir, doth theLordthy God require of thee buc pnl ,0$,. that thou cleaue vnto him 5 fo is it the grea- teftmiferie wee can plunge our feluesinto, when wee haue forfaipn him. Now the Pro- phets meaning is, to let the Ieweslee, that they were not oncly guiltie of one fault : but tolh:wthem that they were become A'po- ftats altogether. No doubt, but that which followes ferues for an amplification; whether we reade, Toprouoke, or, to difpofejyet I rather reft in the latter. For it was toogrofle an ingratitude to make light account of him who had adopted rhem ror his owne, from the reft of all nations. And for thiscaufe he calles himfelfe the holy one oflHaA, becaufe in giuin^ himfelfe vnto them he had thereby adorned them with his holines.For this name is fo attributed vnto hmieuery where,in re- gard of the etfeft. From how barbarous a pride then did the defpiliag of fo great an honour proceed? If any had rather retaine the word \nauo\c ; the fenfe will be, that they had reieded the Lord : euen as if they meant to prouoke him to anger of fet purpofe. Whence we may fee how deteftable their t\- poftafie was. They are rople//e of Jfitiah. ChAt. t. and yet he confirmcs the former .'l-ntcnrc ; to wit,tbatdicy hadgiucn thcbndlc lbfarrc to their flianiclcill- mokpertnes, that tney were altogether reuoltcd from God : yea, and that wittingly and willingly, by erring trom that markc vnto which they ought to luue ten i their eourfe all their life long. • Verf.e. wherefore fliould ye be (mit- ten any more ? for yon fall away more and more : the rr hole head is fake, and the a hole he Art is hemic. WHcrcfurt flu ul J] tic. Some do ttirne it,vpon what i or, in what part i And they take it as if the Lord mould fay, J lure are no more plagues left to ftnkc you withal For bee had tried fo many waies to bring them into the right way, that there was no chaihfementltfr. But 1 had rather interpret it, Wherefore, or, to what purpofe ? As alio the Hebrew word importcs fo much ; and withali I take it that the fenfe fcemesto a- gree belt thereto. For fo we arc wont to fay, wherefore ; to what purpofe,&c. His mea- ning is then, that the Iewcs arcgrowne to luch a pitch of wickednes and vngodhnes, that it is impoflible co make ihcm become a- ny whit better. We know by experience that after defperate men haue once hardned their hearts, then they will rather be broken all to peeccs then receiue any correction. Now he complaines that there was fuch an obfti- nacieinthem, euen as if the Phyfitian ha- iling all'aied all good remedies to cure his difcafed patient, fhould begin to fay at the lair. All the skilll haue, will doe no good. And withali heeaccufeth them of extreamc malice : for when the wicked are come to that pafle that chaftifements will not humble them, then are they come to the very top of all wickednes. So then it is as much as if the Lord had faid,I fee very well,that though I lhould correft you ncucr fo much,yet I ihall do you no good. For queftionlefTe things arc then become wholly defperate when the chaftifements and calamities which God v- fcth as remedies to heale our vices, will pro- fit vs nothing. And yet for all that the Lord is fo f3rre oft from ceafing to punifli fuch (til, that(whichmore is)it(tirrcs vp and inflames hiswrathfo much the more agamft vs: For there is nothing more burchenfome to him, then fuch an obftinacic. Notwithstanding it is rightly laid, that he lefetb his labour, when he cannot thereby draw vs to repentance : and that all the remedies hee applies to a people fo vtterlypaftcurc.arein vatne. So then he isfofarre off from fparing fuch, that hec not onely doubles his blowcs and alfbftions vp- on thcm,trying all mcancs pollible : but he is constrained ncuer to giue ouer till he hath Vttcrly confumed them. But then indeede he plaies not the part of a Phyfitian, but ra- ther of the Surgion : whichis thecaufc why he fo laments here, that his chaftifements (hall now become ynprofitable to the peo- ple. 7ouf*U amty.) This is a confirmation of die former (cntcncc, fo that I difHncriifn this ir.cmbcr from the former, which otTx i •, not- withstanding doe conioyne rooctli. he iliould t jy,Yiui wil bclb fai ofrfrotn cea- fing to cm^chat (which worfe it) you aug- mentyour witkcdiulles more add more, fur I fee you arc fo carried aftay to doe cud], as if yec had laid your heads togeth . r,d-.hberate- lytoconfpiretheroof myour minds : fothac there is no hope at al left of any moderation; Now God in this (beech purpoled to mani- feft vnto al men how incorrigible their fpiric was, to the end they might pretend no ex- cufes afterwards. The w^iile htail.] Others tranflate, Euery head : and thinkc that the princes and great men among the people are here meant by thefe particular names. Hut forminc ownc part, I rather agree to their opinion, who tranflate, nil the head- For me thinks it isa plaine fimilitudc, taken from the body of man; to wit, when die bodic is fo foieafRi- cted,that there is no hopcofhedthlefr.Now he names two principall partes whereupon the health of the whole bodic depends : and hereby he declares the cxtremitie ufthediP cafes, wherewith this wretched people was vtterly (pent. It was not iomc part or com- mon member ofthcbodie then, which was pained, but the heart was wounded ; and the hcailvery fore difeafed: in a word, tint the vitall parts (as they are called) were fo putri- ficd and infected, that they were incurable. Bur the Interpreters doe not agree in this behalfc: forfome refcrrc this ficknes to fins: others,to punifhments. Tofinnes thus; Your are alrcadie become a rotten and (linking; bodie, wherein nothing thit is whole and foundisleft: wickednes and linne hath got- ten the lwingc amongftyou,by the infection whereofall is defiled and corrupt. But I had rather vnderftand it of the punifhments : for the Lord doubtles ftilpurfues this complaint: namely,that the people are lb rooted in ob- ftinacic, that they cannot bee brought to a- oiendment of life for any plague inflicted vp- , on them ; and that howfoeuer they had been fmittcncucn to death (at the lcaft wife, rent andtornc in peeccs with fore blowes in a fcarcfullmancr) yet that they became neuer the wifer for all that. Vcrffj. Eiicn from the file of the faote vnto the head, there is nothing whole therein tb:it mounds, and fuelling, and fares f.ttt of corruption : they h.ute noti>eennrappednor bonndvp,normolli~ fedrrithoyle. THefe words alfo haue affinitic with the former, wherein hec (till profecutes the very fame matter vnder the fame fimilitude and manner of fpeech. Thofc who teferrc the firft part vnto finnes, doe not fufficiently waigh the remainder of y text thatfollowcs. Let vs grant that the people corrupted with vices are compared to a lickc bodic : whac coherence will there be touching the things which by and by follow, to wit, that their B a wounds &A Comment arte e, for the Babylonians, and Tynans themfclues. Alfo hee rather mentioncthZ*?;, thcnlrrufatem; becaufe of the dignitie of the Temple : and this manner of fpeech alfo is very frequent thorowouc the whole Scriptures. Verfp. Except the Lord of 'hofis had referred vnto vs, eaenafmall remnant, vefhotild Imue been as Sodom,and flioitld hatte been as Gomorah. J-JEre he concludes that which he had pro- nounced before touching the feourges of God: to wit,that there lliould be fucharuin; or rather, that it is alreadie prefcnt,foas by the beholding of it, it might bee fitly refem- blcd to the deftruchon of Sodom: were it not that the Lord (hould pull our a few re- mainders as qui of the nudil ofthe fire. This verfe therefore confirmis that which I laid crcwhilc : where the Prophet hauing fpok.cn of the calamities which were alreadie hap- ncd, did in bride ir.annci conjoync there- with the cuent which fhould (hortly enfue J as if hee ihould hauclaid, Surfer not your fclucs to be beguiled with faire words: For lookc wlutdcftruchnn hapned to Sodom and ' Gowoi-ij/',thc lame Ihould (all vponyou, vn- leflc the Lord in hauing companion vpon you,lhoiildrcfcruc fome few. And vnto this agrees that which is faid in U cmiah, Jl is the Lords mercies that wee are not con/umed, &c. Lamcnt.3.2z. Now from hence we arc to note two things: I Fir(c,that he here denounceth an extrcamc ruin.- ycr for as much as God hath to doe with his Church and elcft people, therefore this iudgement (hall be mitigated by apa-r- ticular and Ipeciall fauout ; to the end the raithfulI(whoitl hec here rightly compaies to [rna!lreranait\) may bee dehucrcd fiomthe gencrall deftrudion of the whole nation. Now if God hath punilhed the iniquities of the Iew.es by filch horrible chaflifements, doc we thinke the like will not befall vnto vs if we partake with them in their rebellions; for the Lord had confecrated this people to him- lelfe,andhad exempted them from the com- mon condition of others. And wherefore (hould he rather fpare vs if we' continue har- dned in our impictie and difloyaltie t But which more is, what ifTue can wee expect ir» the midft offuch an heapc and puddle of vi- ces whereinro men plunge themfelues eucry way thorowout the whole world ? Truly eutn the fame that befell to Wow and Gomorah: namely, y wc (hould be brought to nothing, did not the re'pect which God hath to his free couenant (wherein hee hath promifed that his Church (hall neuer pcrifh) withhold his vengeance from vs. This thrcatning al- fo which is very terrible and fearcfull, apper- taincs to all thofe that are obflmatc and de- fperare,whofe manners cannot bee reformed by any ftrokes of God his roddes. On the other fide, wee are to note that which I haue alreadie couched out of l:,e- * miab; namely,that we ought to attribute it to the only mercic of God that we arc not al vtterly confumed and brought to nothing. Fontwefhall behold how great the iniqui- ties are which do rcigne in eucry place, and arnongft all forrs of men, wc ou^hr to admire Gods mercie that we fee fomuch as one man aliue, and that all hauc not been cleane fweptaway from off the earth. Thus it plca- fcth the Lord to keepe his hand in ; to the end he may full continue a Church in the world. And S. Paul alfo who is the belt ex- pofitor of this place yccUcs the fame rcafon: for alledging it in the Epiflle to the Romans, chap .9.19. he beates dowric the infolencieof the Iewes,to the end they (hould not braege ofthat naked title which they bare, as if it had been enough for them thac they were defcended from the ancient fathers, in re- gard of the fieih. For he admonilhech them B 4 that tA Comment arte n^pon the that God could deale with them as hce had done in old time with their fathers: but that he is ftill minded for his mercies fake to re- fcrue a Church to himfelfe: and to what end? euen thatitihouldnot vtteriy periih. For it is for theloueandfauour which hee beares toward it, that the Lord refer uetb fonie little feede,wheri in regard of our rebellion hee is conftrainedto cxercife his rigorous iudge- mets. Which fentence ought greatly to com- fort vs in our extrcameft calamities; yea, e- ucn then when wc fhail thinke the Church as good as forlorne : thatwhen we fee theflatc of things turned vpfide downe, Co as to our feeming hcauen and earth goeth together (as they fay) yet that we euen then continue firme and inuincible touching our trull in God his mcrcie notwithfhndwg, refoluing our felues that God will neuerceafe tohaue care of his Church howfoeuer the world goe. Euen afmaUrtmnaxr.'] This particle /kail, may be referred as well to that which went before as to that which followes. And there- fore fome tranflate, We. had been almoft as So torn. Nutwith(tanding,I had rather referre it to the former fpeech : to declare that the number which God referucd from the com- mon deftruction: was very finall. But fome rather thinke that this is taken affirmatiuely, and was therefore put to cxpreiTe the mat- ter the more liuely: which I reiecVnot; al- though it may be taken in his true and natiuc fenfe, as if it had been faid, There fhall but a finall number of the people remaine. Now we are to note this fentence diligently : for, vnles the Church haue faire and large domi- nions, men are wont to defpife her. And from thence it comes that hypocrits bragge fo much of their multitudes ; and that the weake alfo ftagger, as being dazlcd with their pompe and glorie. It therforeappeares by this place,that wee mull not meafure the Church by the hugenes of the mitltitude,vn- lefle we mcane to efteeme more of the chaffe, then of the wheate; becaufe the quantirie therof is greater.But it ought to fuffice vs that although the number of the faithful be verie fmall,yetthat God notwithftanding acknow- ledged them for his elect people. And with this alfo fhould that confolation of Chrift come into our minds: Fearenot little flo-.l;;, for it is your fathers plcafiire to giue you the kingdome, Luk.t2.31. Verf.io. He are the word of the Lord O princes of Sodome ; hearken vnto the Ian> of our godO people ofGomorah. TTE confirmes that which he had faid be - ■*• *fote ; to wit, that God his vengeance is not crucltie : why fo ? Becaufe they had de- feated a farre greater punifhmcnt.And how- foeuer there was fome difference betweene them and the Sodomites,in regard of the pu- nifhment; yet the fault was alike: fo as if the Lord had not pardoned them,hee mighc euen iuftly haue plagued them with the ike iudjemertt, Iiuword>hstelI«sthc(rjJth»t if God doe fpare, it is not to the end they lhould conclude with themfelues, that their finnes were Iefle then thofe of the Sodo- mites ; but that they were to attribute it ra- ther vnto the mcrcie of God. Now there is no great diueriiticin that he attributes the name of the- cirie of lodvm to the I'-tHccsuni the name otTGomtrd) to the pio/lc : but it ra- ther fhewes their condition to be both alike. But whereas hee repeatesone thing twice; this diuerlitie of names hath the greater c- Iegancie. As ifhe fhoud fay, The Princes and! people differ no more one from another, then Sodom differed from Gimomh. True it isthithee alludes to the diuers degrees of men, when h: attributes two cities to them as it were apart: but in lesird ihnS<>}or in ten ihou- fands of fat beafli of the vaileiei I By and by af- ter he addes : I vciU (hew thee O man ahat it good: and what it it that the Lord thy God reqnheih of thee, to wit, To doe iudgetnent,to lout mtrcit, and to humble thyfelfe to wal^e with thy Sod: Mich.6. By which places itappeares, that God reicfts ceremonies,becaufe they werefeparatc from the word,as from their foule or life. Where- by we may fee how great the blindnes of men is, who cannot bee pcrfwaded that all the paines they take this way in the fcruice of God is vnprofitable vnlelfe the intcgntic' of the heart goe before. And this vice is'not onely rooted in the common peoplc,but almoftinallmen ; yea, eucn in thole who in their owne opinion thinke they «cellnioft, From hence it is at ch* JO * That is to fay, 3 worke which il;iy rlteeine good in it fclfe : albticthc he.n [ ot"h:m which diith it be ncucr fu bad. z.4 Comment arie wpon the this day that this goodly deuice of ■* tie rro,\e That he might pricke them vnto the quicke I.StfW.If. 22, indeedc, he pailcth yet further,3nd tcls them that fuch fcruicc is not only vnprofitable,buc that he alfo dctefls it, as abominable vnto him: and \eiy mflly ; for it is an high facri- lcdge to prophanc theferuiceofGod; vnder which they faliely fhiouded themfelues. For cucn as God eflcemes nothing more deare and precious vnto him ihe his gloryjfo is no- thing ItiTe tolerable vnto him, then to fee it trodden vndcrfectcby any corruption what- foeuer: which yet is then done, when euery vame thingisfervp in ftead ofhis true wor- fhip. Some ate deceiued in vndcrflanding this place,thinking that the Prophet fpeakes Ehold here a moft excellent refutation of oftheabolifhing of the law; forthat isnot ounterfeit worfhip; when Godaffirmes his meaning: but he rather brings the peo- fFioiyi/jConnot bee pulled out of the minds of many; which the doctors of the Papifts hauc found out. But it is not man vvhkh fpeakes here, but God himfefe : who by an immutable decree,declarcs that men faenfice vnto him in vaine : and that vvhatfoeuer they doeelfe, is without fruite, vnleife they call vpon him by a true faith. Verf.12. When yce come to appear e iefore mee, irho required this of jour hands to treadin my courts? b: they came not before him as hee commanded them : pronouncing in generaJl that it is but loft labour when men otter hint that which he requires not : becaufc he will be no other- wife ferued then according.to his comman- dement. Whence is it then that men doe fo pleafe themfelues in fuch inuentions,but be- caufethey vnderftand not that all their ler- uing of God is vnprofitable and odious in his cies ? For otherwifc they would by and by thinke thus with themfelues, Surely, God re- quires obedience as the principal!: neither Would they with fuch ouerweening extoll their owne workes ; which hee on the other fidefcornes and derides: noconely for that hereceiuesnoprofitat all thereby; but be- caufehee would not haue men to attribute that vnto him, which they haue rafhly inuen- ted of their pwne heads without his com- tnandement: and alfo becaufe hee cannot endure that men fhould efhbhfh their owne fantafie.s, in ftead of his law. Although to 'T~Ht Prophet addes nothing different from the end he may yet touch them neeier to the -I the former dodrine, but in generall pro- P'°"s. vaine: incenfe is an abomination vnto hereby peruerted, which is the greatcftvil- me: /cannot fuffer your new moor.es nor lanie tn"at can be committed. Now all fu- fabbaths, norfolemne da,es (it is iniqm- P«ftltion* are <"°many corruptions of the pure worfhip of God: and therefore it fol- ple of his time to the true obferuation of the ceremonies; and fliewes wherefore, and to what end they were inflituted. The fcruicc of God was fpintuall euen from the begin- ning of the world. And whereas there were other exercifes diuers from ours in the old Teftament, it was in regard of men, and not of God ; for there is no changing with him ; Umei 1 . 17. but he applied himfelfe' to the weakenes of man. T his gouernment then was fit for the Iewes,as dn Abce for children. Therefore he ftiewes to what end this gouernment was e- ftablifhed, and what was the true vfe of cerc« monies. V> rf. r 4. (Jtfyfoule hatethyour new moones and your appointed feafts: they are a burthen vnto me: I am wearie t» bear e them. beating mine eares thus with your fcined prayers, tiejnar folemne affembltes. TFLs is a very profitable admonition to re- preffe y inordinate appetite of thofe who ceafednot obftinately to follow their vaine and fained feruices, thatatleaft being war- ned of God,they might repent,if at any hand they would be admonifhed.But it appeares by this place, how obftinate hypocnts are in their faife confidence, being once hardned therein,becaufe they cannot poffiblie heare the Lord, although hee manifeftly warne them that they fhould ceaf'c to lofe their la- bour as they doe. Incenfe it an a&ominaihnjSic, lowes that they are wicked and deteftable. Superftitionthen is to be efteemed either by the thing it felfe, or by the affection of the heart from whence itproceedcs.By the thing it felfc ; when men dare bring in of their owne heades,tha t which God hath not com- manded. As all thofe things arc which fu- perftition (commonly called deuocion) hath begotten. One will fet vp and Idoll ; ano- ther will build a chappel;the third will found yeerely penfions to hauc Malfes faid daily for him; others, Inch like paltrie ftufte without endormeafure. Now when men take vpon them co be fo malepert as to forge new fer- uices : ^Prophe/ie of J fatal) » Chap, i . u dices, there hath fupcrftiiion the full Twinge. It may alio be in the attention of the heart, when men doc vie the ceremonies (which God hath allowed and commanded) in out- ward appearance: who in the mesne while fheke faft thcte ; ncucr aiming at the markc, and tructh of thim. As for example,thc lewes hold the ceremonies ordained by Mofet with tooth and naile, but yet they leauc that which is the principall behind them. For they regard a good confcicncc nothing at all; a man (hall not hcarc them fpealcc of fauh,or of repentance ; they hauc no knowledge of their fpintual! miferie : and (which is word ofalI)thcyfepararcChrift from their fatrifi- ces, giuing no place at all to the tructh. Wherein we ciecrcly Ccc the tructh of that which wee haue taught heretofore; to wir, thatitwasabaftardly & painted (hew which they made: fo as their facrificcs differed in nothing from the facrificcs of the heathen. We needc not wonder then if the Lord call them an abomination. I will not ftand to fcan the phrafesof fpeech which the Prophet here vfeth ; they are diuers : and yet not- withstanding they are not to be lightly pa£ fed oucr. For the Lord well difcerncs how great the rage of man is to forge new fcr- iuces,and therefore he vfeth amplifications todeprcflc this vice the more; and againe pronounccth, that hec hates them. Bclides, for as much as men doe flatter thcmfelues andareperlwaded that the Lord will make fomc account of their dreames and ftoreof deuiccs,he on the contrarie faith that he ab- horres and detefts them. Verf.I j. And whcnyoufljall (iretch out your hands I mil hide mine eies from you : andthottgh you make many prayers, I trill not heare : for your hands are foil of blood, IT came not from any fuperftition that the people in old time vfed to (Iretch out their fundi in prayer : neither came this gefture of any vaine or friuolous luft, as many others haue done : But in regard that nature her fclfe thrufteth forth her hands to feeke for that which (he defirerh: teftifying euen by outward fignes that foe hath her recourfe vn- to God. Therefore in as much as we cannot flievpvnto him, wee lift vp ourfeluesas it were vnto him by this figne or gefture. True it is that the fathers had nocommandement to doe it : notwithftanding they vfed it as being infpired of God. And by this very figne are all idolaters ponuinced euen of fbttifo blindnes: for they proteft by this outward gefture that they hauc their refuge in God, and yet notwithftanding in effect they with- draw theirhearts from him to idoles. Alfo to the end thefuperftitious might bethemore conuinced, the Lord was pleafed that this cuftome foould alwaics continue in vfe a- mongftthem. The Prophet then condemncs not the lifting vp of the hands fimplie, but their hypocnfie,\vhereby in appearance they made foew to call vpon God, but in their hearts they were farre from him, as in the i<>.chapterhc doth more fully charge them. The Lord confeflcth indeed that he is nccicj btititis to thofc that call vpon him in truth, Plal1n.14f.18. For where hvpocrific rcigncth, there can be no tt tie inuocation. That thcr- fore which is faid in another place is not contrarie to this; namely, when they foall ftretch forth their hands vnto mc,I wil hcarc them. For the Lord there fpeakes of that in- uocation which piocccdes of faith. For faith isthemothcr of prayer: but if faith bee ab- fent, prayer is a mccrc mocking of God. This he yet amplifies further when hee tcl< them that he will not heare their cries, although they foould rmtltiplie their prayeri: As if hee fhouldfay; Beit that you ncucrceafe pray- ing, yet this your diligence foall profit you nothing : For hypoctitcs haue this vice alfo peculiar vnto them, that they imagine the more they babble,f more holy they arc, and that they can the more cafily obtainc the thing they aske. But he rcfcls their babling herc„as we fee. For your hands.'] Now he begins to declare more plainly why he abhors, yea, rciefts their prayers, as alfo their faenfices withdifdain; namely, becaufe they prefented thcmfelues before his face with a braucrie full ofdiffi- mulation : and in the mcanc while were crti- ell,bloudy andgiuen toeuery kindofiniqui- tic. Now howfoeucr he by and by addes o- thcr forts of iniquities, he yet fpeakes thus notwithftanding in regard that he had men- tioned the lifting vp of the hands : and faith, that euen in tbem.xhey bare a figne and markc of their impieties, fo as they need not to mar- ueile why they be fo foarpcly bcate back. For otherwife this manner of ipeech, To lift vp pure hands, was not only in vfe among the Prophets and Apoftlcs,but alfo euen amongft prophane authors,who were pricked forward by the very inftinft of nature, to exercife thcmfelues in reproouing the fottifones of trie: or rather it may be the Lord plucked this confeflio or ceremonie fromthcm,to the end that at the leaf. wife there might alwaics be fome appearance of true relig;6 amongft the. Notwithftanding the Prophet meant not to charge the Iewesto bee fuchtheeties or mttrthtnri as rob and kill by the highwaics fide: but hee ftrikes at their priuie deceits and opreflions whereby they got other mens goods into their ownc hands. For God iud- gcth otherwife then man doth: man efpieth not the priuie iugliiigs and wilie praftifes of the wicked by which they are accuftomed fmoothlyand cunningly to beguile the fim- plc oncsjor if fo be they chaunce to come to light, they are extcnuated,andnot examined according to the weights of the Sanctuarie: But God pulling out thefc gallants by the poll into light, who were wont to foroud their robberies vndcrhoncft titles, pronounccth before all men that they arc murtberen. For if thou kill a man, be it after what manner thou wilt,then art thou a murthcrer,whetlier thou cuttefthis throate,ortakcft away his mainte- nance, and that which is conuenient for him. He fpeakes not of them then which were openly Rom.w.i^, t.Tim.i.t. 12 pon the fclfe louingly towards his brethren. And this is the caufe why Icfus Chrift faith,that Mercy, Iudgetnent,and Truth are the principal parts of the law,(v*hen he reprocheth the Phanfies for laying afide the care of true iuftice, in that they pleafed thcmfelues oncly in pcttic things, tithingMint, Anis,&Cumin,Mat.23. Z3.By faith in that place he vnderftands fide- lity, which we commonly call loyaltie:and by ludgemtnt all vprightnes when wee render to our neighbour that which to him appertai- ned : not futfring him to bee wronged by o- don for the lead offence, that (hallbec com- mitted againfl them. Nay, on the contrarie, he is readie to deanfe and pardon vs: (b farrc otfiskthatwe haue any caufe to complainc of his ouer great rigoroufnes. For he comets himfelfe with the cleannes of the heart; and if there be any finne that breakes out,befides our purpofe.he forgiues it.by pardoning fuch as haue prouoked him. Vetf.ip. Ifyee vrUlconfent and obey, thers,but helping him as farre as we are able. J"!**™*" the goed thmgs of, be land. But ifthefe be the principall parts of the law, in what degree lhall we place the coromande- TSaiah Mill pleades the caufe of God againfl ments of the firft Table • Ianfwer,that they ■* the people : andinbriefcaffirmes, that all ftill kcepe their order and dignitie: but by the calamities which the people- fufteined thefeofthe fecond, which Chrift ftraighrly rcquireth, whereupon hee alfo ir.fiftes, the hypoenfieof hypocrits is chiefly difcouered, fo as a man may more plainly difcernc there- by whether the true feare of God be in any ought to be imputed to their owne default: and that they were to blame thcmfelues for notrecouering a more happie and comfor- table elhte. Why fo > Becaufe God for his part is alwaies readie to pardon their finnes, onein truth or nor. And in the famefenfe if they harden not their owne hearts agiinft muft that be taken where it is faid, I wil haue mercie,and not faenfice : Hofea 6,6t r.Sam, 15.22,. Matth.9.ij.&it.7. For mercit is a de- claration and proofe of true pietie. Moreo- uer becaufe it is a true demonftration of him. But for as much asitfeemes, that the Prophet placcth felicitie here, in the will and power cf man, the Papifts contend with ObieJt openmouch that men haue power of their owne free niouing to doe good or eirill. Is it loue,it pleafeth God of it feltc : but/irrjfcw, fo ? As if God d.fccmrfed here how great the \ar pleafe him for another end. Nowit appearcs abihtic of men is ; when hee acculeth their fufficiently,aslthinke,why //•»*/; rather men- obflinacie. Buthe fhould then (ay in vaine, obiefc. tioneth here the doing ot good to cur mgh- if)tcviUc*t,ftnt. if fbbe it were not in their bours, then faith, or calling vpon God his power. I anfwere,that howfoeuer the choice Anf. name': as alio why the Prophets doe.'pcake bee not in our owne power, as they would fo diuerfly when they meane tabr;rg hypo- make vs beieeue it is,yet God iuftly chargcth crits backe to the true feruice of God,and to finners to be the voluntarie authors of their (hew itforth by the outward fruits. euils, becaufe they pull downe thewrath of Though your finnes] Sic. This is as much as God vpon their owne heads willingly, and ifhefhoufd haue faid, I accufe not innocent without conftraint. Igrant then, that it is a fpeciall gift of God for a man to endcuour to doe good : but it is alfo as true, that the wic- kednes of reprobates hindreth them from applying themfelues thereunto: and there- perfons,ncither takclpleafure to pleade thus with you; but know, that the caufe is great that makes me thus vrge and accufe you. For hypocrits are wont to quarrel with God, as though he dealt too lharplie with them,or as fore that al the fault of their hardning abides though he were vnappeafeable. Yea in their and remaines in themfelues. Andhereupon obflinacie they find out th s excufe, That it dependes this reproach, namely, That the is in vaine foi them toendcuortoreturnein- people might haue had anhappie iflue, and to fauour with God. And if all excufesfaile a comfortable Jife,if they would haue become them, yet notwithstanding they haue this teachable and obedient to God. Forfeeing fluft, That they ought not tobeprelfed fo that of his owne nature hee defiies nothing neere : and thatir.cn muft be borne withall more then to doe good, we may iuftiy impute in fome things;yca cucn the befl of all.Ther- it vnto our owne malice, and vnthankfulnes, fore the Prophet preuents thcm,and brings in the Lord ipeaking thus; For my part if neede require, I refufe not to pleade with you ; for thereby it lhall appeare that your obflinacie is the caufe why we arc notatvni- tie together : bring with you thertore ciiannes cf heart, and then all our flrife fhallceafe. I that this liberalise which hee daily offeretb, comes not vnto vs. On the contrarie,he addes a terrible and grieuous threatning, to wit, that the ven- geance ofGod is readie to feafe vpon them, to the end they might feele that the contem- ners of God fliall not remaine vnpunifhed. would not ftand to pleade with yqy, if you Wc mufl alfo note that there is but one only would offer mc the faenfices of anvpnght rule of well huing ; that is,the obedience heart. Now from hence wee may gather a which wee yeeldvnto God,and to his word. wonderful! confolation, namely, that God pleades not with vs,as if he meant to purfue vs with rigor. For if we. would earnefl'y con- ucrtandturnetohim, hee would by and by receiuevsintofauor& blot out the remem- brance of all our offences,fo as he would not call one of them into account. For he is not like men, of whom one cannot obtainepar- Alfo in thefe words,there is a trafported fen- tencebyafigure which wee call Hypallage, becaufe the fpeech fhould bcrefolued thus, If you be of a readie nnind,and haue full con- fentof will to obey ; or elfc thus,and yet in the fame fenfe : Ifye heatken and obey me, and my word. Scing then that God placcth the felicitie of men in obedience, it followcs that Tropheficof Jfaiah. Chat, i, l5 thatourlifc is then well ordered when wee heart God I'peakng.and that we obey him in aliening. N >w wee may fee how great the its of men is when they voucn&fe not to lend clicir care to God , hut rcicct the felicitic which hee oflrcreth and prepared. tor than. Trucly then (toward affections ought 'to bee tsmed, to the end that whilft ihcle poorc wretches draw the wrath or God vpon their owne heads, they might not wit- tingly ami Willingly cafi tncmielues head- long vpon the edge ot the (word. Wee muft note alfo,tlut in the verft fulluwiiig,which is the conclu lion, he threatens them with cx- treame ruine, iffo be they (till continue to rcbell obftinatcly z gainft God. The gitd thwgi uf the tarth.'j He meancs the fruitcs which the earth brings forth for the neceffiticofourlifc. For tHfe earth fccn.es to bee femewhat vnkind when it bungs not forth her fruites, but keeps them as it were in her bofomc. Although I m:!:c no qucftion but hee alludes to the proinifes of the law, where God promifeth that he will hlc-lle the cround of filch as walke in his corr.maride- nients,ihat they may hsue abundance of all good things. Arid yet hec cfrcreth not the commodities of this life vnro vs to the end he would flaws in an earthly felicity, which hypocrits indeed only g.ipe,aftcr, wholly im- piovmg all their wits thereabouts: but that bv the contemplation thereof, we fliould lift vp out nines to the heaucnly and fpirituall fehcity:as alio that by the tafle of his lb great goodnes he might accuflome vs to rellilh the cftate cf eternall happincs. Now the ancient people were inured rather to be called by luch lhad owes and refcmblanccs to the hea- ucnly inheritance, namely, by the tafle of earthly benefits. And this difference is well to be noted, that we may applie this doctrine toourvfe according to that degree where- unto God hath been pleafed to exalt vs.Now the Prophet would teach vs that true felicity, with the complements thereof,con(ifU in the obedience of God: alio, that the wicked, in lebclling againft him, doe draw vpon them- felucs all manner of calamities: arid that we thcrforc ought to impute all the euils which we cndure,to our(7nncsandrebeUions,asto the proper caufe thereof. Verf.ao. But if yeertfxfe and be re- bellions, yee fhall be devoured, w iib the Jword .-for the mouth of the Lordb.ith ffokenit. THE wicked alwaies fhinkc the punifh- ments which they fufter are farre greater then ihcir fault, although God dealc merci- fully and fauotiraBly with them. And how- foeuer they dare not wholly iuflifie them- felucs ; yet notwithstanding they ceafe not (as we haue faid heretofore) to accufe him of too great feucricie. But the Prophet fhewes how there (hall bee no end of their plagues which they often fuffer, till they bee wholly confumed : as aifo that there are yet more heauie chaftifcments prepared for them of G id, that they fliould pot imagine to efeape with thole light fillip: wherewith they were hitherto (mitten. Th« Papifls wicft this place to eflibhth their free will. And thus they rcafiin: If men be luppie when ihey will o- bcy God, then it followCl tint it is in their owne power to will, Behold a chtldifh ar- gument. For the Lord by the mouthofhis Prophet difputes not what or how great our power of will is to goodoreuill : butadmo- nilheth, that it is by our owne default that wc emoy not the abundance of all good things : and further th.it the ncccfliiics wherewith wee bee pinched, arc the nif! re- wards of our dilbbedience and rebellion* Now there is great ods betwixt demanding, whether a m".n bee able to make his will which is euill, good; and, whether by his wicked will(v.hich is his wvnc by natuie) hec drawes vpon himlelfe all the plagues which heendureth. Theft fubtilc and craftie do- ctors thci fore do vniuftly and falfelic ground their doctrine of free choice of good and e- UiU vpon this place. For il/e wouihtiftbe T.ord li.u!i fpoktnii. " Be- caufe threatnings ordinarily doe nor much inoue fuch as are carried away with their in- ordinate defires and lufts , the Prophet to the tnd he might awaken them from out of their fo great droufines, admoniftieth them that this fentence proceeds not from ihe mouth of a mortall man, but that it is come out of the mouth of the eternall God , who is not mutable as men are, but is alwaies as good as his word. He lets the atithcriri: of God before them then to feare and terrific them; to the end that fuch among them as were fallen into a dead fkepe in their vices, might earncftly giuc thcmlclues to hearken to his threatnings. Verf.21. How is the faithful! citie become an harlot I It was full of iudge- m:nt e.xdi:iflice lodged therein, but no:? they are mxrtherers. rl O the end the reprehension might be the -*■ more forcible, and that their wickednes might be p more dctcftab'e,in that this peo- ple were thus reuoltcdfromGod and fioin all integritieandvprightr.es, he cries otit as it" he faw fome flrange and vnwontcd thing. Andfurely it was an horrible change, that the people whom the Lord had chofen and fet apart to bcea royall priefthood toh:m- felfe,(hould thus fal from (0 foueraigne picric and godhneSjinto the gulre and fincke of all finne and wickedncs. But he fpeakes chieflic ot ihecitte of UrufaieKi, which was the royall feate of the Sancruarie of God: hec com- plaines that (lie which heretofore was 3. faith- full gardian of in[lice,is now become a dennc of theeues: and that of an holy and chad virgin.fhc is become an harlot. To the ende therefore hee might make the baftard Iewes (who were farre from the intcgiitie of the holy Patriarks) the more a(hamed,hcc takes vnto himlelfe the perfon of amanaftoniih- edjWho wondrcth and reafontth with hirrr- C a ftlfa \6 though things were not wholly oucrturned in appearance,yet that their eftate notwith- ftanding was changed and corrupted in luch wife,as it was far from that which it was wont to be. For he faith, that dr ift ftiined in ftead of Siluer:and that there was nothing in their wine but colour, without any fauour: as if lie fhoiild haue faid, Howfoeuer thou makeft a faire (hew of goodnes, yet there is nothing that is pure to bee found in thee. Thy wine which was wont to be of it felfe^s now mixed; and howfoeuer it deceiues them that looke vponit, yet by the tafte one may know it is corrupted.Now all this is to none other end, but that the Iewes.hauing once purged them- felues from all diffiinulation.ihould begin to confefTe their finnes,and not to pleafe them- felues any longer in them , as hypocrites are wont to doe. To which purpofe thefe Simi- litudes which he here vfeth, are very apt aud fitting: {onhtdroffe of liluerhath fome re- femblancewith filuer; alfo the water that is mixed with the wine, hath fome (hew of the colourofthe wine it felfe: and yet notwith- ftanding they are farre oft" from the puritie of the things,which they referable. So the hy- pocnts paint themfelues with the colour of falfe (iluer,although indeed they deferue no more commendations then drofTe: yea they are more deteftable therein, then if they were openly wicked. Yet notwithftanding, they oppofe themfelues againft God and men, and nolefle difloyally then wickedlie paint ouer themfelues with vanitie and vaine (hewes to couer their malice withall. Vcrf. 23. Thy Princes are rebellious and companions of theeues: euery one lotteth aifts,and folio veth after rewards, they iudge not thefatherles, neither doth the Tropbefie of Jfaialn Chap. i. «r doth the uiuswes caufe come befae them. THcic is an allufion and meeting together ofwordes in this place, whkh hatha ve- ric good grace; as it hec (liould fay,l hy Prin- ces arc pincers. Neither fpeakeshe loot" the princcs.asihhc people were holy and blamc- jcflc,but hee touchctli the wcllpring of the mifchiefe: torcuenat nocuillismorc hurt- fjll,thcnthat which tonics fioin the head, anddrpcilethit felle into all the members; fo alio is there nothing more pernicious in .1 commonwealth, then a corrupt and wicked Pttnu, whofprcadcth abroad his corruptions outr all the body, as well by example, as by giuinghbci tic thereunto: Prou.2j.11. From whence alio came the proucrb, Smc6 amifltr JHchamaa. It is all one then as if the Pro- phet mould hauc faid, that ic was no particu- lar vice thac reigned among the common peoplc,but thac the Princcs,and great Lords nadlccloofc the r.-uncs to al wickednes. Alio i lure is a dole amphfkatioin the wotd "rin- r & ** HTHc word A Ion, which is put in the firlt ■* place, figmfies properly Lord, and is to bee referred to the word that is oppofite, to wit, Seruant. The name i'ebonab,by which thectcrnall effence and Maieitic of God is expreiTed,is added confequentiy. After then that the Prophet Ifaiah had recited fomc par- ticular finnes by the which he made it mani- fest to cuery one, that all things were cor- rupted amonglf this people, minding now to vie fomc threatmngs, and to let God his iudgement before them ; hee not onelie adorncs the Lord with the office, and power of a Iudge, but alio hee admonilheth them, that the children of Abraham are a peculiar people vnto him; and in thisfcnfc,i<>f ot/j/j- lieeneof lfreet, is added: although there may be here a prime and clofc kind of deriding1, wherewith hee gallcth the Icwcs; as if hec mould fay,that they did foohlhly braege of the name of God, feeing they are fuch" vvrcr- Cj ched- *A Commentarie lamfortv>r. By which words he meanes thatGodwill not bee appeafed till firft hee hath had his fill in chaftiflng of them. He takes the word comfort, after the manner of men. For eucn as wrath is nothing elfe but a defire of reuenge : fo reuenge it feife alfo is a kind of contentment: for when any is re- ucnged, he is glad, and fatisfied. Thus the Lord fnith that hee will fatisfie himfelfcin chalhfinn his enemies, as if it were a kind ofrecompence. It is true that this place is diuerfly expoun- ded,andImeanenot to trouble myfelfe fo farreas to examine all interpretations, nei- ther will I ftand to refute thofe which fute not with the text : it iufficeth for tins time, that wee haue the true fenfe of the Prophet. He fpeakes not here of the Chaldeans.or AC- firyans, as many thmkej but ofthelewes; againft whom he proclaimes open warre in the name of God.whofe herauld he is : which riueatning was very harfh and vnpleafant vnto their eares, in regard they thought thenifelues fo linked to God, that hee would bee an enemie to their enemies. But God contrariwife lhewes that he is become their enemie, becaufe they hauc prouoked him by their naugh tines. And after this manner mult we awaken the hypocrits,who continu- ally fighting againft God, notwithstanding bluflinot ftill to claime his protection for their fafegard. Therefore let vs not inar- uaile, if the Prophet doth fharpely terme them the enemiei of uad, who hauing broken the coueaant,were thus combined together to make/warre againft him. Andyet notwithftandmg,to the end hee may ihew that God is as it were conftraincd and enforced to chaftife his people,he threa- tens them,as it were, with a kind of inward (orrowing. For as nothing is more agreea- ble ro his nacure, then to doe good : euen fo as oft as his anger is ftirred vp againft vs,and that hee handles vs feuerely, it is certaine that our owne frowardnes hath conftramed him fo to doCjbecaufc we will not fuffer him tobeftowhis benefits vpon vs; butefpecial- ly he is inclined to deale thus louingly with his owne children: & albeit he fceth that his louing kindnes and gentlenes can nothing preuaile with them, yet is it in forrow of hart that hee ftrikes them. But paraduenrure feme had rather expound the particle Ho;,as if God fhould eric on t as one being enflamed with wrath. For mine owne parti take it, that in this place there is a voyce of griefe and forrow : becaufe the Lord in thinking often vpon his couenant, would willingly pardon his chofen people, were it not y'by their owne obftinacie they did altogether reie&it. In the fecond member, ttiidjuengt me of mine enemies, there is a figure veiy vfu- all with the Hcbrewes, who repeate in one and the fame verfc many times one felfefame thing:whcnce we alfo gather, that this fen- tence hath this diift,namely,thatGod could not quite himfelfe, vntillhe werereuenged vpon this traiterous and diiloyall people. Verf.2 5 . Then Iwillturne mint hand vpon thee,andtmrne »ftt thy droffe, till it bepure,and take away al thy tinne. THis is a moderation of the former threat- ning. For howlbeuer hee purfues that which he hath begun to fpeake of touching his (eueritie,notwithftanding he addes ther- withall,that the Church (hall rcmaine fafc ftill in the midft of all calamities, wherewith the people fhould be fmitten : neuerthelcfle his principall drift is to comfort the faith- full, to the end they ihould not thinke the Church mould be brought to ruine,althou"h God was conftraincd to deale more fharpelic with it then he hath been wont to doe. For the holy Ghoft alwaies prouides in the mini- fine of the Prophets for the vpholdingof the faith of Gods children (who continu- ally tremble at his words) that they ftiould not bee difcouraged, being humbled with feares and threatnings ; becaufe fo much the more as the wicked ouerflow the bankes, and feoffe at all threatnings, fo much the more doe they which are touched with the true feare of God,tremble thereat. Morcouer, the turning of the hand of 'ions,as ifhe fhou'd fay,Thc cQarc of the Church, (hall be fuch, chat the bcautie thereof (h ill Ihine like (ilucr. The true pur;. tie then is Minified by thefe words.bccaufc thclewcs had too much plcafcdth.mfelucs in their filthines before. Now this linuli- tudc is very fit, for by it the Prophet iliewes, that although the Church of God was then fo fluffed with multitudes of corruptions : yec notwithstanding there lhould rcmaine a rem- nant which lliould recouer their brightnes, after that the droffe and corruption lhould be confumed. And thus he now loynes both members together,bccaufc hauing fpolten in ver.zi. of their offences, hec laid,that their ftluer was become droflc. Vcrf. J 6. And Iwillfejfore thy Ind- ies as at thefirft, and thy Connfellers as at thebeginning ; afterward thou [Ijalt be called a citie ofrighteoufnes, and a fait h- full ci tie. NOwhefpcakes plainely without any fi- gure. Andbecaufc hce had laid that the fpring and beginning of alleuds was in the princes; thus hcetc3chctri,trut theiroftues and places lhall be purged by the Lord,u h :n he begins to reftore the ported healihand welfarreof the Church againe vntoher.And from thence it is alio that iiifticein (tie poe- tical goucrnmenr comes; to wit, When the gouernors that rule are vertuous, and fea- ringGod: becaufe all things goero hauock, when thofe which gouernc, are wicked. |t is plaine enough, that by lud^ei and Counjeilt- > ho irxanesall Magiftratcs of what lort foeuer. In that hee promifeth they lhall bee fuch as they were at the iegim.ing^hc puts them in mind of the lingular benefit of God,whereof they had been depnued. God by his directi- on had exalted the throne of Daum and com- manded that in this goueinmec there lhould fl/inc an Image of his fatherly loue. Now al- though they had corrupted the fame by wic- ked tyrannie ; yet notwithftanding,they cea- fed not to make their braqges otfalle titles: for they boafted much ot the kingdome of Dauidxuzn as the Papifts glone at this day vnderafalfe pretence of the Church. There- fore the people are iuftly admonilhed from what an happie eftare they were fallen by their owne default, thatfothcy lhould not be difpleafed to haue their multitudes of me diminiihcd,but might rather be mooued to recouer againe the good order which God had ordained. jlfteraardtbQU (bah be celled.] He extends the fruite of this reformation, whereof he bath fpoken,to the whole bodic.For the Pro- phet hauing laid that terufxtem was a fairhruil Citie, and Full of ludgetncnt before (he re- Uolted from God; now he faith, that after (he ihall be chadded, thefe vcrtucs here fpoken of (hall be fecne to lhinc in her. The lunime alfo of true repentance is fct forth in his place: for by luflice, is vnderflood iiuc wherein euery man obtaines of an that which to him belongcth, and that one man hues with another without opprefTion; The word ftithfiill extends it lejfe further : becaufe we call that ifaithfuli Citie, not onely where equine andmutuall Iufticc rulctha- mong men, but alio where God is purely fcr- ued; And thus vnder this word, the purine and (.haftitic of the vndcrftanding is com- prehended. Yec wc mud note thai Iufhce ilclccnds from this faithfulncs, bcraule th.it when wc canieour I'elucs vpiiglnly one to- wards another; there Iufticc will calily bcarc the (way, Andfurcly by examining the whole alntlc more narrowly; it fecmes the Pro- phet takes not the word fidelitie in fo ample a fignificationas heretofore. Alio that hce 16 ioyncs thefe two vcrtucs together, as if they tended br.throonc end: loas truth fhould be thefiiftin order as being the caufc; then that lUFtin lliould be the cftcft of it. Morcr uer Ifatah not onely pionufeth that fhc mill be luft ,'nd f '. ithhill',but alfo that by th.le badges and markes (he lhall become excellent and renowned : thereby further figrufying,thatherri^htcoufnesihalbc luch thar the knowledge and renounc thcrof (hall be (pread abroad cucry where. We know al- fo that h; pocrits obtaine great and honora- ble titles: but becaufe l/sub brings in the Lord fpeaking, hee holds it as a fure conclu- sion that the citie (lull bee iuft according as hee hath foretold. In the meancv>hile,asl haue faid,hefets before vs the fruit of a true conuei(ion,asif he lhould fiy ; When lerufa- lem lhall bee once brought to true godlines, then others ihall fee the huitesof herrcno- uation alfo. Vcrf.;7. Zion p? ill be redeemed in tudgement, and they that returne m her, in tuft ice. TTE confirmes the fame dodrine: and be- •*■ -^caule thereftitutionof ihe Ch utth was a thing hard to becbelceucd, hee iliewes that it hangs not vpon the will of men, but that ic is grounded vpon the tuifcmcnt and Iuflice of God: as if he lhould fay, God will by no means endure that the Church lhould whol- ly be deftroyed, becaufe he isiufi. Themea- mngof ihc Prophet then is, to withdraw the minds of the faithful), from all earthly cogi- tations,to the end, that when the hope of the faluation of the Church is in cjucftjon,they . fliould depend vpon God, and not be dilcou- raged, although in ftead ofhelpe and fuccour thty lliould fee lets and hinderances on all fides. For thofe that referre thefe words of Iudgementand lufticeto men,aredeceiued; '• ihot'ld I'peake now of the wellor- drcd eftatc of a cityr and therefore that fenfe which I haue giuen is according to the true meaning ofthcProphet,towit,that although) no fuccour appcare vnto them from men, yet that the iufticc of the Lord notwithstan- ding is more then fufficient to redceme his Church. And trucly whilft wee looke into our owne ftrength, what hope ofhelpe can we conceiue? Nay, how many rockes doe iliac by and by rather appcare, to clalh our C 4 faith * ao tA Comment arie njpon the faith all to peeces?It is in God only then that ive fhal finde a perpetual! firmenes of triift.In the fecond member, md they that re turne, the means of the redemption is exprcffed,to wit, that ihofe which were barufhed and fcattered farre off,fhali be gathered together againe. Vcrf.28. i. Pfalme,verf.7. Againe, he alfo moderates the forrow which might difquiet the hearts of the faithfull, for the waft of the Church j for he admonifheth them that the whole bo- die could not othcrwife be healed.vnleffe the corruption which was in it,were cut off. "Or.towit. Vcrf.29. * For they [ball be confoun- ded for the Oakes which jee haue de fired, And yeefhall beeafljamed of the gardens that yee haue chofen. THe particle, Ci, is put in the Hebrew, which fhewes the caufe : but it is often alfo vied for an expofition. Now becaufe the Piophet addes no new matter here,but only manifefts vnto them the caufe oftheruine, which hung ouer die heads of the wicked,the Hebrew word, which wee haue tranflatcd,»» ir ly becaufe Zion was a little hill of no great height: (asifcomparifon had bin made of a hcapc of duft,with greit mountaines) but al- fo in regard that a little before he had fore- tod her ruine. How could one haue then belccued, that Zion which had loft all he; dig- niuc,lliould againe bee thus honoured with fo great an cxcellcncic, that fhc Ihould turne the cics of all the Gentiles to the beholding ofher beautie ?yctis fhee fo aduanced not- withftanding,asif ihec fliould bee mounted higher then the Miunt Ulympm. Let the Gen- tiles bragge of their mountaincs,as long as they will; yctlhall they be nothing in com- panion ofthis little hill (faith the Prophet) although it be low and fmall in appearance. To naturall rcafon indeedc this is vene vn- J;kc. \\ hat ; fhall Zion hang in the cloudes > And therefore no queftion but the wicked fcorncd this promife. Wee know well e- nough that impietie hath alwaies oueifk wed her bankes againft God. Yea, the circum- flancc which I haue touched alrccdic, wase- noughat thefirft pufli to haue oucrrhrowne this propheiie. How is it then that this little hil could be fo foone exalted.bcing fallen af- ter the defl ruction of the T.mple into vtter difhonour? But doubtlcfle ijauh foretold not thefc things in vaine. For in the end, this little hill was truely exalted about the moun- tains i becaufe that from thence the voyce of the Lord was heard ; which founded forth thoro>vout all the world cuen to lift vsvp into the heauens ; from thence the Maieftie of God fhir.ed. Laftly, becaufe it was the fan- ttuarie of God, it furmountcd abouc all the world in height of excellence. Nowwemuft note the vfe of this prophe- fie, namely, that I faith meant to fet before them a confolacion, whereupon they were to flay themfelues in their captiuitie: thathow- foeucr the Temple fhouM be deftroyed, and that the facrifices fhould ceafe, yea and all things ihould fall to the ground : yet not- withstanding this hope fliould encourage the faithfull ; and that in this horrible confufion they fhould thus thinkc: True itisthatthc moumah't of the Lord is nowdefolate; but yet fhall fhee haue her feate there againe, fo as the gloric ofthis mountaine fhall furpafle the glorie of all others. To the end then that they fhould not doubt of the euent hereof, the Prophet hath pictured it forth here as in a tablet,whercin they might behold the glo- rie of God. For although the mountaine continued then fafc, yet was it in a manner dcteftablc, becaufe it was brought toamifc- rabledclblation, halting loft all her gloric, in regard that God hinuelre had forfakenici But the faithfull were to behold, not thefc rumen, but this virion. It alfo fufhcicntly appearcs by that which lollowes, why hce fpeakes fo highly of the e.xaitatim of this mountaine of Z/on,bccatife from thence came forth thcGofpelljwheiehuhc Image of God ihined. Othcrmountaines might furmount it in height: but becaufe the gloric of God did appearc vpon it in an4iigherdegrcc,thcr- forc it was alfo nccc (Taiic that the mountaine in which he manifefteth himfelfe, fhould bee exalted about others. He doth not praife the mountaine of Zion then in regard of it felfe, but in refpeft of her ornament or glorie, wherewith alfo all the world was to be beau- tified. Vcrf.j. And many people p>allgo and fay, Come, and let vsgoe vp to the moun- taine of the Lord,and to thehoufe'of the Cjodoflacob, and bee mil teach vs his vraies \andtpenrill:ra!ke in his paths : for the larv fljall goe forth of Ztvn, and the word of the Lord from Icrnfilem. TN the former verfc he had briefly touched 'thecaufefiom whence fuchanexcelkncie fliould come vnto the mountaine of Z/o«, to wit, becaufe all nations fliould flow vnto it, as if the riucrs ihould ouerflow with ouer- much abundir.ee of waters : now he declares the fame thing,adding alfo the reafon of it. For one might demand vpon what occafion fo many forts of people Ihould flow thither by bands from countries Pj farre off. He faith then that they fhall come thither for no o- ther end but to fc-ut God. But in the word Mani*. thereisan antithefls, for hefignifies that there Ihould not be one nation oncly,as before; which ihould yecld obedience vnto the true woiihip of God : but that thofe which were akogether ftrangcrs, fhould come to confent with like agreementin reli- gion with the:as if he fhould fay,The Church which before was ihu: vp as in a corner, fhall nowbegathercdoutof all parts. Hee hath put many then, for diners. For it iscertainc thathe meant not tolcfleny which he had faid ere while of all nations. Furthcr,alchough this was neuer fulfilled, to wit, that all the people of the whole world hauing left their countrie fliould aflemble to Ierufaiem ; not- withftanding becaufe the dodrinc of the Gofpell(by which God did there gather to himfclf a Church indifferently from out ofal the world)came forth ofthis mountaine of Zion • hee well affirmes that thofe who em- braced the couenant of faluation, with one confent of faith, and ioyned themfelues to one only Church, ihould come thither. The agreement alfo which is betwecne the figures of the law.and the fpintuall woiihip, is to be noted ; fuch as it began to be after the com- mingofChrift. jlndtbey [boll come.] Firft hecfignifics by thefa 25 H tA Comtnentaw >-vyon the thefe words that the faithfull fliall bee filled good right he ftoppes al theBiouthesofmor> with fuchafteftion,and zeale to enlarge and tall men : fo as the very office of teaching is fprcad abroad the doftrinc of faluation, that not committed to the Paftors of the Church none of them Ihall content himfelfe with but vpon this condition, that Gods voyce be his particular knowledge, and vocation, but onely heard there. Let fuch then as would fhaLI defirc to draw on others with them, beeftccmedhisferuants, fuller thetnfelues to And queftionlelle there is nothing more re- be ruled in their duties by this fentence ,to mote fcom the true nature of faith, then that the end they may in no fort diminifh the leaft deadnes of heart,by which men calling afide all care of theii brethrens good,doe (hut vp in themfclucs, all the light of knowledge they haue receiucd: fo as it comes to bee fmothcred and choktd within them. There- fore by how much the more any hath recei- ued abundance of grace from God, by fo much the more ought he diligently endeuor iot of his authoritie. There is in the member following, word] for word, He aiUteichzi htswaiei: which is thus much in efteft, That hee will teach vs what his waies are ; or hee will fet hiswaies before vs for a perfect inflruction. Then he adsvntoit obedience, Jndtvewilmtlkeinhit ftthi. Wherein lye fhewes both the fruit & the to lighten others by his light. Behold here end : for the do&rine which is giuenvsby then the true means how to gather a Church the mouth of God confifls not in idle fpecu- together ; to wit, by the externall voyce of lations,but directs the whole courfe of our men. For although the Lord might draw hues, and frames vsto his obedience. Buc euery man to his knowledge by hislecretin- we mull note agiinc, that the waies andpntbs fpiration : yet notwithfknding he will bee of God are called his commandtmtnii, to the ferued by the miniftrie and labour of men, to the end hee may exercife them in a mutuall care about the faluation of one another. And by thismernes alfohe knits them the better together,and takes triall of their teachable- nes,to wit, when one of them will fuller him- felfe to be taught by another. Moreoucr, ifaiab fhewes that all thofe which haue charge to teach and exhort, ihould not reft themfelues,onely in comman- ding of others : but rather to ioyne them- feljues vnto them, and to walke together as companions with them. For wee lee fome that will command with authoritie, and prick men floutly forward with exceeding great fc- uerity,when as they themfelues in the meane while will not mooue a foote. But the faith- ful here content not themfelues,in comman- ding their brethren faying, gie vf, but rather leading them the way in going fiift, they fet their owne example before them. This ther- foreisthe right manner of teaching, when by putting that in execution our fc-lues firll, which wee require of others, wee make it knowne before all rr.cn th.it we fpeake tnie- ly,and in good carnell. AndbewiU teach vs biitvaJes.'] In the firlt place he fhewes, that wee cannot feme God end we Ihould know that they erre miferablic which turne afide from them, bee ltneuerlb little. And thus all licentious hbertie is here retrained, and the rule of inftru&ion isin this place giuen vnto all, euen from the greatefl to the leaft, namely, that they con- tame themlcluss within the compaffe of Gods word. For the Uvc> (hs'J g>! otitofZim] This is aii expofition of the vcrfc going befcrc.in which he laid that the mountaine of Zkn fhould be exalted aboue ah other mountaines, to wit^ that it fhould be exalted into an high degree of honour, when it Ihould bee the fountaine of the doctrine of faluation, which fhould fpread thorowout the whole world. Hee calts it the law. But wee haue elfewhere ch*p.ZA+, fpokenofthe onginall and proper fignifica- of this word. The word Torah, which is here interpreted law, fignines doctrine, becaufe the law containes fo perfect a doctrine in it, that nothing is to bee added or taken away. And fo he fpeakes after the manner of the Prophets. For in as much as the rule of all pietie is comprehended in the Uv, they are wont vnder this word to comprehend the whole word of God : as alfo vnder this word Altar, they comprehend the feruice of the rightly and as we ought, vnleffe the light of Lord. Moreoucr, feeing wee know that this the holy doctrine goc before. Secondly jtha God is the onely teacher of his Church ; vp- on whole mouth we ought to hang: whence alfo it folIows,that he takes no delight in the foolifh, and vnftable deuotion of mens in- uentions. And laftly,that howfoeuer he vfeth prophefie was fulfilled, when the preaching of the Gofpell began in this verie place (for Chnft firfl taught in ierufaUm; and after- ward fro thence the doctrine fpread thorow- out the world) this word laa>,\s not to be ta- ken flrictly,which then was rather abolilhed, themir.iflrieofmcnto teach vs by,yetthat as touching the yoke and bondage of it. he rcferues this notwithstanding as proper Whence we gather, that this wordwithouc tohimfelfe,towit, that they preach nothing but his pure word. And if all thofe which call themfelues doctors of the Church had fol- lowed this rule, religion had not been fo fouly corrupted, withanendles,andconfu- reftraint, is to bee taken generally for the word of God. And whereas the Prophets fay that the waters flial flow fro out of the Tem- ple, which fhal water the wholeworldjbyafi- £5^(^.47,1, militudc they fhew thofe things which lfaiah fed diuerfitie of fuperftitions. Neither can inplaine words here teachcih; to wit, that it be auoided that we fhould not fal by heaps the beginning a nd welfpring of the doctrine into multitudes of errors, when menturne of faluation fhould come from this place.For and wind vs thus after their owne fantafies. from thence the Apoflles, and other Tca- Ifitiaa then in attributing the authoritie and chers did fpread the glad tidings offaluation office of teaching the Church to God onelj,by thoi owocft the whole world. Piic Trophcfie of jffaiab . Chap. 2 . *J But the rcafon why the Prophet thus fpeakes, is to be noted : namely, to continue the faithful] againft all the changes, winch o- thciwifc vpon cucry occalion might haue quailed their courage. And therefore it ius ncedcfjll to prcucnt otfcnccs,and to furnifli the conlcicnces of the faithfull with com- forts againfl all ftormes, in what condition focuerthcy Ihould bc;as if he lliouldhauc laid, Let your affaires profper how they will, yet in the midfc of the calamities and afflicci- ons which oppreire you, wait notwithfhn- ding ; and be you ccrtaincly perfwaded, that the Law ibaU comt forth of Zion,.mi tht tordof God from Itrxfilcm. For it is a decree of God, which cannot be faliificd nor oucrthrowne by any chance or change of time. W< may gather by the courfe of the times which followed, how nccdfull this confolati- on was for the faithfull. For when luia was • forfakenand dcfolatc, the temple deflroyed, and tlic gouerncment of the Church wholly defaced, and that tyrannic increafed more and more; it was an eaiie matter to quench all hope, and to haue become defperate al- together. On the other fide, when the lewes were come home out of captiuitic from Baby- lon, when horrible fupcrfhtions by little and little increafed, and chat the Priclcs had vliir- peda wicked tyrannie, in fteadof excerci- jing their office as became them; if this pro- nulc had not comforted the faithfull, whac might they haue clfe imagincd,but that Reli- gion was abolifhed, and that the fertiiceof God was quite and cleane extinct? And no doubt but this temptation, which happened by rr.eanes cf the vices which were in the rn'iddeftofthem, was more ttoublelbmefor them to bcarc than their exile in Bthyhn. In their batulhment they had Prophets , by tvhofc doftrine they were put in hope ; but in this corrupted eltate all fruit of doctrine was taken from them, Religion andgodhncs was defpifed :but the Lord fuirainea them ac a pinch by the onely flay of this prophciie. Forv.hcnas the law was fo vilely propha- nedand contemned, and as it fecmed call downc from his proper feate, which the Lord had confecratcd and appoynted for it ; would any man haue thoughr,tliat not one- ly it mould haue had his place thcre,butthac itlhould alforaignc ouer all rtrange coun- tries that were farreoff? Contranwife, the Prophet not onely faith that the Law (hall be cftabliined in his throne,but alfo that it fhall socagreat deale further off: whereby hee Signifies, that it (hall bee no longer fhucvp within his firfr bounds, becaufe it Ihould be indifferently published among the Gea- tiles. And queftionles this carried great waight and authoritie with the Apoftlcs, when they vndcrftoode that they were ordained to doc I thole tilings which arc here promifcd.Other- wife they neuer durft to haue aducntutcd 2, the taking of that charge vpon them, they . would neuer haue had courage enough to j. haue finiihed it. Laftly, they could neuer haue borne fo weightie a burthen : cfpecial- ly if you addc, that they had the ra gc of the Whole world inflamed againft them. But they wore furcly per AVaded that hee which had nude tins proiniib, and giuen them in charge to bearc his niclfage, Would cafilie ouercome all thefe difficulties. We muff alfo note, that from hence we may gathcra great continuation of our faith. by confidcring that the doctrine of the Gofpell cemc forth of Zion:fot from thenre we conclude, rhit it is not new, nor lately (prang vp; but that it is ' the ctcrnnll titicth of God, the tcfhmonic whereof appeared a longtime before it came to light. We alfo gather it was nccetTarie % that all the ancient ceremonies ihould bee abolifhed , and that a new manner of tea- ching Ihould he brought in; although the very lame deftrme in ftibftance "lliouid fbll reniamc. For at the hi ft the law came out of mount Sinai : but now it came out of mount Z««, and therefore it lookc a new forme. Exod.lj.lo Two things then are to be noted: Full, that i the word of God is ahvaics one, and like vn- to it felfe : thac«no man fhould rcprouc God of changeable-ties, ar if he were variable. Al- fo,that hovvfocucr ac this prefenr, the law of the Lord, is the lime which it was ; yec not- withfhnding that it came out of Zion, as it were with a new garment put vpon it. Se- condly, that the ceremonies and fhadowes * are abolifhed, becaufe Chrift ismademani- fcit, in whom we find: the uueth and fub- ftancc of them. Vcrf4. i/4nd he fiall fudge among the nations, and rebuke muny people: they /bail breake their [words alfo into mat* tockj, and their Jpeares into fithes : nati- on fottll not lift vp afrorde against na~ tion, neither Pi all they lt»rne to fight any His meaning is, that the do&rine fhall be- as a Royall fcepter, to the end God may rule and gouernc among all nations. For the word,»» Wg?, among the Hcbrcwes, fignifies to rule, or gouerne by a figure called Synec- doche. Becaufe then, that God had held one people onely vnder his gouerncment, the Prophet here teachcth, that the bounds of this kingdomc fhall be enlarged, b< caufe a fliall haue dominion ouer diuevs nations. He alfoclofely notes the difference between the kingdomc of David, and this other which fhall become much more excellent: that of D*uid< being buta figure of it. For from that time God gouerncd Ins chofen people by the hand of Dmid; but at the comming of Iefus Chrift,he began to raigne by hilnfclfe,to wit, in the perfon of his onely Sonne; who is ve- ry God manifefled in the (lefli. The Pro- phets alfo doe fometimes cxprcflc the name of the Prophet Diuid, when they fpeakc of the kingdomc of Chrift ; and that very fiilic: for it is in regard of the humane nature, be- caufe the promifed Redeemer fhould come outofthatfamilic: but in this place hee ex- alts the Maiefly ofhisdiuincnaturerwherc- by itappearcs how muchmorc excellent the J) (OTU i.T!m.$.l6, Ifr.%0.9. E^ech.^ *4- i6 tA Comment xrie '■upon the condition of the new Church is aboue the old; becaufe in it God appeares to be King intheperfon of his Sonne. Againe,hee alfo confirracs the vocation of the Gentiles: for Chrift was not lent to the Iewes onely to raigne amongft them, but alfo to haue iuri£ diction ouer the whole wotld. Rtbu'tf the people.] The word Iaatchdoxh fometinies figmfie to expoftulate, fometimes to correct, alfo to prepare, or make readic. But in this place the receiued interpretation doth very well agree, whereas the Prophet doth fpeake concerning the reformation of the Church. For there is neede of eorrech- on,that we may learne to fubmit our felues vntoGod. For by reafon of that rebellious nature vvjjich is inbred in vs, wee (hallne- uer profit in the word of God,vnlefle we be brought vnder by violcnce.Therefore Chrift alfo, Ioh.itf.S. from hence takes the begin- ning of the Gofpcll: namely, that the world might be rcprooued of fin.Now that the do- ctrine might not wantincreafc, Jftiah (hews, thaty ftubburnncsofourflefh muft be bro- ken : and therefore hee afllgnes vnto God, the parr of a Iudge rebutting, that hee might examine our life; and by condemning our vices, might reforme our manners iGr the better. And truely we fee that the Gofpell is of fmall force,but where the iurifdichonof the holy Spirit beares rule; which doth bring men vnto repentance. They (hatl brea\e their fvn>ritj\ Now hee addes the fruit which lhould come from thence, when Chrift (hall gather the people and nations together vnder his gouern- ment.There is nothing more defireable,then peace : but although all feemc to defirc it, yeteueryonetroublethit by his foolifh luft; pride,couetoufiles,and ambition is thecaufc thatfome do cruelly rife vp againft others, Becaufe then that menare naturally carried away by their euill arfechons,to trouble and ouerthrow all things, the Prophet .promi- feth here that fuch a mifchiefe lhould bee re- TheOofo.11 drefled. For as the Gofpell isthedoarine of Oodanj "* reconciliation, which takes away the difcord nun at peace bctweene God and man, fo alfo it pacifies, together, bat and brings men to vnitie one with ano- rean with ther. The fumme is, that Chrift hispeople aunalfo. fhallbemeeke, and hailing trodden cruel- tie vnder their fecte, ftiallfludie toliucpea- ceablie. But they haue done vnfltly, which would rcftraine this to the time wherein Chrift was borne, becaufe that after the battaile AcTu- 9»f,the Temple of fanus was fhutvp: as it appeares by the hiftorics. I confeflc indeed that this peace which was vniuerfall in the Romane Empire, was, as it were, afigne of that eternal peace which we enioy in Chrift. But the Prophet meant to fay more : to wit, that Chrift fo reconcileth men toGod,that all deadly warrcs "being thereby appeafed, there lhould thereupon follow a healthful! peace among them. For if Iefus Chrift bee taken away, we are not onely eftranged from God.but wee haue open warre continually with him, which will iuftly returne vpon our owne heads : from whence it is, that all things are out of courfe in the world. Furthermore, Ifaiah promifeth, that when the Gofpell lball be published, there (hall be an excellent remedie in the world to appealc all dillenfions : and not onely that, but all hatreds being aboliihed, men lhall be incli- ned to helpe one another. For he faith not fimplie that the fwords lhall be broken > bur that they (hill bee conuerted into minac^i. In which hee (hewes there lhall bee fuch a change, that whereas they were wont before to vexe one another, and did commit manie iniuries tothehurt of their neighbours; af- terwards they (hould entertaine peace and loue amongft thcmfelues, and lhould lend one another the hand, for the common pro- fit of all : for mMiocl-j and fithe i, are inftru- ments fit for labour , and are neceflarie and profitable for the life of man. He (hews then, that when Iefus Chrift (hal reigne, thofe who in former time were carried away with a de- fire of doing hurtbyallmeaneswhatfoeuer, (hould now De helpful to others by al meanes poflible. Neither (Jul they learnt to fight any ■»«■* .]The word which the Prophet vfeth, fignifies ei- to accuftome,or to learne : but the lenfe is cleare; nam:iy, that they (hould notexer- cife themiUuesany more in thofe Arts that (hould doe hurt, neither fbould they giue .thcmfelues, to the doing of wrongs nor of •wicked practife tage of God, what meane you to draw backe? Shall the nations fubmit themfelues vnto God,and doe you refufe to haue him reignc ouer you'- Yea is there fo ereat a light (prune vpthorowout all the parts of theworld,and will not you in the meane while bee enhght. ncd? Are there fo many fweete waters run- ning forth ; and will not you drinke > what a madncs is this ? doc the Gentiles runne to them with fuch hafte, anddoe you fit ftill > When he addes, tnd we will wal^e ; hee Signi- fies that the light is put before their fecte, which with cloTcd eyes they rciccl j yea they quench it as much in them is: and yet the brightnes thereof notwithftanding (hould bee fuch, as it lhould draw all nations vnto Vcrf.cn Surely tho-t h tfJ- forftl^en thy peoplethe houfe of Jacob, becaufe they Are full of the \Eafl -manners, and are forcerers as the Pbtlijliucs, and * abound with ftrange children. TIE openly aecufeth this people of the per- ■*■ ^uerlitic of their nature ; and not oifly in plainc termes, but as one carried away in an admirati6,he luddenly breaks off his 'perch, and turning hmifelfe to God hee cries out; Whcrfore then lhould I fpcake to this fo def- peratcapeopIe,whom thou haft mftlyforfi- ken ' For mgitiiiig themfelues to idolatries, they haue rrtoftdifiovaliy turned away from thy word.Itnny be alfoa prophefic of\) cala- mine which fliould come vpon them, which the Prophet forefaw by the Spirit.as if hec lhould lay, Wonder not to fee the mount of 2/ailaid waft and fpoilcd tor f •> many fins of the people. Yens it not mr.de fuch a lamen- table fpectac!.: thitany fliould bee brought to defpai're, but that all thofe in whom there is any hope of health, being touched with true repentance might conuei t vnto God be- fore fuch a thunderclap come vpon them. For the Prophets w. re as Heraulds to put* lilh the iudgement and vengeance oi God to the wicked, that fo by all mcanes they might endeuour, to bring all that they pofliblie could to repentance. And the feruants of God muft neucr put offthis affection, name- ly, eucntoftudy how they may prcfitthe vc- rie reprobate ; if by any meanes it could bee brought to pallc. This place therefore may bring amerueilous confolation to all faith- full Pallors : for when it feemes to vs that we fpcake to dcafe eares, wc ftagger and be- gin to forlake all; What fhall I doe ? I doe nothing but bcate the aire. And yet not- withftanding,the Prophet ceafeth not,to ex- hort thofe in whom hee faw no hope ofa- mendmenti An howlbeucr he be as a man a- flonifhed at their mine, yet doth hec not ccafeforall that toadmoniih themfti!.Ler vs note alfo,that although the wicked Lee obfti- nate, yet the judgements of God muft be de- nounced againft them; let them recoyle, and gnaw the bit as much as they will, yet muft they ftil be fummoncd before the iudge- ment leate of God, to the end they maybe left without excufe. 1 take the Hebrew word Ch forfurr'y. for this fignification agrees beft, bcraufe it breakes off the exhortation v.hich he h.id be- gun; and now fpeakes to God. Alfo when heagaine calles them the bonjeof I jcoi.it is added for the greater vehemencie of fpeech, which men in a matter of great importance are wont to doc : as if he fliould fay, This ho- lie nation which God hath chofen, is now left and forfaken. D * f «■ * Or,«iti quite. ihtirddigl hi 28 <±A Comment Arte rvpon the T>r they Artfilki7\ Becaufe the word \\eiem fignifiesfometime the Eaft,ana fomettme an- tiqmtie, vvc may interpret it, that they were tilled with the manners of the ancient, be- caufe they had brought the fuperftiuons in Yfc wherewithal! the land of Canaan was in rimes paftmiec~tcd. For wee know that the Prophets did often reproch the children of Ifrael, that they were liker to the Cananites, then to Abraham, and the other holy Patri- arkes. And queftionleffe it was a double vn- thankfulnes not to change their peruerfe manners, feeing the old inhabitants being diiucn our, they were brought in to poffeffe this land,totheendit berngpurgedfrom all theipfilthines, it might afterwards be dedi- cated to holmes. Yet becaufe the other fenfe is more receiued, I had rather hold that ; although the cxpofkors themfelues doe not here agree : For fome take the letter A/"»comparauuely;as if the Prophet fhould fay,Before, or,Ratherthen them of the Eaft : others take it more fimple,and better alfo in mine opinion ; in faying,i/W they were full of the E*!i: that is to Jay,ot the vices which they had drawnc from thence ; imitation being a merueilous contagion: fo as nothing is more vfual then to fee corruptions glide from one land to another a fane off! That which by and by followeth opens it yet more clecrely, when he faith, ofthefor- eeries of the Philiftmj. For \nder diuinations by a figure which they call Senecdoche, hee comprehends the deceits of Satan: to which the prophane nations were giuen. The Pro- phet then meanes that they differ in nothing from the Phihftins ; from whom God nor- withfbnding had feparated them by the pri- ueledgeofhis adoption. And this was fuffi- cient to condemne them vtterly,in that ha- uing forgotten their vocation, they defiled themfelues in the corrupt and wicked waies of the Gentiles. Whence it appeares that to finne by the example of another, doth feme nothing at all to make the fault the leffe. The latter part of the verfeis diuerfly ex- pounded : for fome draw (Irange children, by a fimihtude,to the lawes and cuftomes : others referrc it to manages. Becaufc that in taking offtrange wiues without difcretion, they had fo mingled theirfeedc that there were manie children baftaids. The expofition of S.le* tome is more groffe,who thinks that they de- filed themfelues in wicked luffs contrane to nature. For mine owne part, 1 doubt nor, but by (irangt children he meanes ftrangc na- tions; and not by a figure, the lawes The Prophet then accnfeth them, that in defiring topleafethc Gentiles, they wrapped them- felues together with them in their wicked- nefTes: and thus had not only mortal! men but wicked men alfo in greater account,then God himfelfe. Now he faith, that they tooke their delight ; becaufe the affection and dele- elation of a wicked imitation, had raced the true loue of God, and of his holefomc do- ftrine out of their hearts. Verf.7. Their land alfo tvasfulof 'fi- ner and gold,and there was none end of their treafure : and their land was full ef horfes, and their chariots trere infinite. WEmufttake good heede to the order which the Prophet kcepes here. For he now fhewes the caufes wherforc the Lord reiefted his people. In the former verfe hee 1 began with diuinations, and ftrange man- ners; now hee defcends to the gold andfil- a uer: and afterward he will fpeake of their » horfes and chariots. No doubt then but ha- uing firft of all condemned their idolatrie, he here in the fecond place, reprooues their auarice; and in the third, that wicked confi- dence which men hauc, when by fotging vaine fuccours vnto themfelues, they depart farre oft from God. It is not a thing to bee condemned as vnlawfull inrtfelfe tohauea- bundance of gold and filucr; but becaufe this people burned with an infatiable coue- toufnes, and trufted in horfes, andin Cha- riots, therefore they are iuftly reprooued. Some take the Hebrew particle by way of oppofition, as if the fenfe were thus; And yet they abounded in filuer.-thereby to make the ingratitude of this people the greater; becaufe hauing abundance of all things, yec they ran after their idols and enchantments, as if a! things had been in a defperate eftatc. Which is much IciTe excufable then if they had gone after them in aduerGtie : whereas they ihooke off ihe yoke ofGod from their necks,being fed with good things in alla- bundance. Thus by this fenfe then he fhould amplifie the wickednes of this people run- ning voluntarily and for no caufc to idols, whilefl they ouerflowed in their delights: but yet I recciue not this interpretation, be- caufe I thinks it too much conflrained. For hee rather reckons vp with one breath,asit were, the vices, wherewith the people had fpotted themfelues : that is to fay, ceuetouf. neflcfatft confidence, andiioiatne. And howfbe- uer their opinion be rrue which expound it by way of oppofition,yet notwirhftanding it agrees not with the fenfe of this place. A little after lfaiah confirmes the fame al- fo more clearely. For howfoeuer it bee not wicked,nor a thing to bee condemned in it feife(as I faid before) for aman tohaue gold orfiluer,iffo be heevfeit as he ought :yet the Prophet iuftly fets himfelfe agalnftthat wicked defiie and infatiable greedines in heaping vpfiluer; which indeede isadete- ftable vice. Hee faith,there was mend, be- caufe their Iuft was infatiable and without meafure. As much is to be faid ofborfes, and thaxkni for in this place he condemnes their 1 peruerfe confidence. Now for to preuent D'a'J7-r°» this milchiefe,thc Lord had forbidden their Kings to gather great multitudes of chariots and horfes together , left by refting vpon fuch things, they might bring the people backeagaineinto Egypt. Becaufe then that it is hard for men who haue meanes at com- mand,not to be puffed vp with pride; the Lord would that his people fhould bee defti- tute of thcm,or at leaft fhould content them- felues with a mediocririe. Verf.8, Twpbefoof ffaiab. Chap. 2. *9 Bewire of emerLuni" Vcrf.8. Their fad alfo was full of Sr^0*- idols: ' they rvorlhifpedtbeveorlies of their 01 n: bands, be fere that i; hich their o.vnt fingers h.id nude. HE repcates y which he earcwhile touched concerning idolatric ; hue more rlcarcly. I And in the tirft place he fees downcthc mat- * ter : afterward* the vfc,which in a manner is wont aiwaies to follow thereupon. For it is a very rare th.ng to cntcrtainc idols amongft vs ; but we fhall by and by abufe ourfelues with them. Becaufe it is all one, as if a man > lhould pile vp wood, and another fhould put fire to it : wJJ there not bee a fire by and by ? it is vnpcflible it lhould bee otherwifc, the fire is not more readic to burne the wood, then we arc inclined to fupcrititious. and idolatric. Therefore the word Ilium, which the Prophet hercvfeth,is very fitly impofed vpon the idols by the Hebrews: becaufe they are things of nothing ; and but vanitie. Nei- ther is it to bee doubted, but the holy Ghoft by this word would reproue the rage of men, whobymcants of fuch vanities thought to draw the nccrcrvnfo God: as the Papiftsat this day ; who to the end they might the more cafily fnare men with their idols : brag that they arc lay mens bookes. But it is more fa/.- for vs to gme credit to that which the holy Ghoft fpeakes. The triall itfcjfc alfo fliewes dearely what fruit the people gather by thefe bookes. For being deceiued by fuch grofle imaginations, they frame vntothem- ifelues earthly and flelhly gods : of whom leremiah luftly faith, that the idoll is norone- Iya vainc thing, but alfo a teacher offalfe- hood and lies: Ier.io. S. We are further to note this defcription where the Prophet faith,that the people hiv- ed davne b:f>re the wor^j of their owne han .j.For whatablockilhnesisit thatmen lhould noc thinke it enough to worfhip wood and ftone in ftead of God,but fhould alfo attribute di- uinitie to that which they haue framed; which yet they cannot giue to themfclus ! truely it is a monftrous thing that a ftockc of bale and contemptible wood fhould be by and by wor- shipped as foone as a mortal! man fhall haue put his hand thereto : asifhehadmade it a God. But howfoeuerthe Prophet fpeakes to the ancient people; we may notwithftanding applie the fame thing to the Papifts, who ac- knowledge no maieftic of God, but in the works of their owne hands. The repetition he adAts, Which their fingeri hautmide: carries a great iignification with it: the more plainely to fhtw their beaftlie liues. Wee are alfo to marke the phrafe of fpeech by which the outward gefture of ado- ration is expreflcd, not that it is vnlawfull to bowihekneeyoT the head by wayofciuilitic, orhumilitie: but becaufe hee which bowes himfelfe before an idoll, makes profeffion thereby of the feruice of God: whence it ap- peared how childifli a fh:ft it is which the Pa- pifls haue gotten of that adoration, which they call <f hee fhould fay, They haue bowed downc thcmfelues to their idcls: God will therefore caufe them to be humbled and bowed downe vnder a ve- rieheauic and great burthen ofcalamiuei and mines. And withall, no doubt but hee alfo corrects their arrogancie : becaufe ic Was hard for them to beleeue that a people furnilhed in fuch lort with fo much riches, could lb quickly be outrwhelmed with mife- rics. The latter part of the verfe is expounded two waics, although in refpeft of the iub- ilance there is no great choice which of them foeucr we take. For the meaning of the Pro- phet is to teach, tha:God cannot be appea- led towards fo obflnate a people. If we read it in the time to come, Thou wilt not pardon them, the fenfewill be the more eslie ; yet notwithftandi::g,the linprecatirn w.Ialwaies hold : to wit, pardtn them not. Fci wee know thatasoftas the Prophets (who were infla- med with the zeale of Godj did wilh lhac fomc mdgeinent might come, they thrcat- ncd the luft punifhment which the wicked were to receiue : as being the inftrurnents of the holy Ghoft ; and no otherwifc. And it is nomeruaile, if the Prophet being offended with lo many abominable cr:mes,wasin this manner kindled with zeale, that he appoints outhiscounme to deftruction, beccule no- thing was more precious vnto him,then the facrcd honour of God. But we mult aiwaies vrtderftand that the remainder and remnant of the Elect is to be excepted » for the Prophet fpeakes not here ofall.onebyone; but of the bo.tie of this pcopIe,which was almoft rotted in their vi- ces, fo as there was no hope of health to bee D 3 looked •O-.aifome read* . ji.c common IbrCmJ, then r,{ the btutilort, " Or,pJl )uf> ihcm iijtv 3° tA Comment arte nypon the looked For: for otherwife it had been to n» purpofe to haue exhorted defperateand ob- ihnate men to repentance, or to let the hope of pardon before fuch. The fumme then is, that the reftauration of anew Church is not w»^(wriiww"» to be looked for,till God haue firft executed ailed in thut day, his iudgemcnts,anddeftroyed the Temple. Vcrf.io. Enter Into the rocke, and hide thee in the daft from before the f ear e How Gods chofen ought to feare his correfttng hand. Verf.li. The hte looke of man ^aK hv humbled, and the lof tines of men /halt bee abafed,andthe Lord onely /halt be ex~ BEcaufe whilft the wicked are glutted with prefehtriches,and reft, all things falling out to their wifli, they put thefe threatning* of the Lord, and from the olone of his °[the ProPh« *"«« off from them, and by (Jiffai'ilie tnis mean" hardncd their hearts againft God : in this place therefore hee now fere r- r t. • i j . r , downe a courle (as hath been faid) how to Ecaufc the wicked gaue themfelues too pull downc this pndc oftheirs:as tf hyc a^j much l.bert.e,and were too fecure vnder hyJhe tinic mil ^^ eac Gods threatning,, tt n an vfual cuftome with arrogancie.wbch makes you thus in vaincro .he Prophets when they threaten obftinatc fct vpyour brift. and that wlth an ln_ jlnners to addc fuch liuely defections, credlbfc ragc lnft t'he mo& h h ^ whereby to terrihe them: euen as if they ceafe. For riowfoeuer the wicked feeme to rtiould fo the wing m prefent viewbeforc bc religious, yet you (hall perceiue by their the.re.es. Tim is the realon why the Pro- pride notw.thftanding, that they w.ll not phet now commands the contemners of God to enter into the reclft, and holes, to hide them vnder the earth. Wherein hee firft lhewes them that the Judgement of God is more ter- ternble then an hundred deaths: feeing to efcape the fame, the grauc is to bee wiftied for. But when hee forceth them thus into their holer, he doth with the greater em- phafis mamfeft the heauy waight of the ven j--- — — --«»"*w*»M»««u*»igj L11.1L lliVV VTiU IlUt ftickc to iuftle euen againft the Lord him- felfe, loasit feemes they are greater then he. In that God thus thundreth againft them, it is to the end that he might pul downe their pride and hautinesj and himfeff oncly might be knowne to bee the chiefeft. And there- forces we haue faid heretofore, the impuni- ticoffinneis as it were a cloud caft before ------ —-■■-—■> ,™7»" V" "7 '- T our eicsJwhich hinders vs that wee cannot gance of God Although then that by ■ tkt fee the glone ofths Lord< For whejJ h Si$ A% 'uF^'l Chcfc°urf Swhe,r" UenSeth himfelfe VP°" the ^bellions of with God (hould fmite this wicked peop e; men,his glorie doth fo much the more ap- yet notwithftandingit is not in vaine that he pCare. And that is the caufe alfo why S*l- Ecclef.SA* by^dby^kcsoftheglortecfJ.tM.iefJie: „,„ faith, That the hearts of the children of as ifhe mould fay, God is terrible to the wic* men are fet m them to doe euilL becaufeia ked, according to the meafure of h,s glo- th„ world they fee themfelues more happie rie, in whofe deftmct.on he will mamfeft then the godly, and fo blinded moreand his infinite power. And moreouer al- more. But here hee (hewes that after the though the wicked xannot bee bowed nor proud (hall be brought vnder in fpite of their hum.bkt by a"l ^W"*™ whatfoeuer, teeth ; then nothing* (hall hinder, that God (hould not be knowne to be fuch a one as he is. Surely there was great rcafon that the people (hould willingly haue fubmitted themfelues vnder God, and haue caft their yet arc they conftraincd to feare, when they feele Gods wrath to approch. But as tou- ching the Eletf, they are taught of God to feare vnder his chaftifing hand after another r„,. fnr . "" 7 * . :~ 7 A "', r UKU>lclun vnacr uod, and haue cailtheu fort . for being fatten with the ftrokes of eies Vpon his greatnes, in refpeS that vn ttte{ -lU-gly bend themfelues to der his (hadow they were in faLie : and be- bcarc the yoke ifi*. ^therr teftifies that the fidc.the ftockeof AU*b*m was adorned fo tTtl^ °i tnr ,n;0fl dearCA exce,kntly w»hf«ch varietie of benefits, to lie after hee hath (hewed himfelfe as a nift the end they (hould haue bin as f mirror of Iudge. For whilft he lets men alcnc,it feemes the hohnes,and glorie oftheLord. Butbe- aU is well, and men thinkc that hee hath hid caufe the Iewcs are now rifen vp in rebellion T«rLp,ft e u j l . 'g;"nftthisfogoodaGod,//««fcdenoun- frTe P,aftors, of *e word then Iearne ceth againft them,that God wiU deuife a new from hence how they ought to behaue them- wayhow toaxalt his glorie; to wit.eucnin felues,when they haue todeale with benum- their deftruftion med confeiences ; to wit, that being well awakened by the judgements of God, they learnc to feare this ludgement feate in good earneft. And howfoeuer it often feemes that we lofe our labour in finging thustodeafc eares, yet will this terror of Gods iudgement pearce euen into hearts of iron : at the leaft to leaue them without excufe. And oft times alfo it comes to pane that fome are healed, andthefaithfullin like manner do profit by it, when they vnderftand what (hal befall the wicked and reprobate by executing fuch horrible iudgements vpon them,^ In naming, The hielookei and lofiinti, hee notes the inward pride of the mind and hart, by their outward countenance and behaui- our. For a wicked conference will difcouer it felfe in the contempt of God and man, euen by the outward gefture and looke. It is in the fame fenfe that Dauid notes outloftic eies,and high lookes : Pfalm.131.1. &c.Ioi.f. lfaiah alfo doth better confirme this, in the verfe following.Now by heapingvp offoma- ny words with fuch great vehemency,we may eafily gather how notorious their rebellion was. Moreouer, we arc not co maruaile that he Trophefie of f/aiab. Chap. i. he infills fo much vpon the taming of mens arrogancic, ifwc doe but confidcr how hard a thing it is to bow the hearts of thofc who rcft.ng vpon their lichc-s, are afraid of no- thing: imagining rhac they arc adnanced to none other end,but to doe whatlbeuer they lift without checkc or concrolcmcrrr. Forwc ourfcIiKshauc experience at this day how tender and delicate, yea and ho.v call !y fuch take pepper in the nofc, who attribute to thcmlclucs more then there is caufc why, and in the end how obftinately they rcictt all iii >l:'ume admonitions. For this caufc it is that the l'rophct doth thus l:tly lharpen his ftile againft fuch iolly ftllowes in parti- cular, rather then to threaten fy vengeance ofCod acainft the whole people in genc- rall. And yet he fcts not bimfelfc againft the Princes onely who were placed in great dig- pitieaboue others: for not oncly they, but thofc all* of bafcr condition are rcadic enough to burft with pride oftentimes; ac- cording to the common proucrbc,Euery one hath the heart of a king : fo as wee fee euery day,thatif wee touch the fores of wretched andbcegerly fellowes but cucn with the tip of the hngcr,you lhall fee them vomit forth infupportablc poyfoned fpecches. Seeing then that this vice was very common, ifaiib touchethas well thelinall as the great that were tainted therewith, lignifying, that by how much the more the Lord had dealt gen- tlic with them, by fb much the more they were to lookc for a greater judgement : for their hearts were fwollen wirh rcbellion,be- eaiifeofthen too great abundance. Further- more although the letter Limed, which is put in the datiuc cafe,be fometime fupcrflueus, yet notwithftanding in this place it holds h s proprietie : becaufe it feemes ifaiah aflignes out a tertaine od himfclfe, wherein the proud muft make their appearance before hisiudicall throne to receuic fentence of condemnation. Moreouer we may gather by thefe words, that God fhewes himfelfe an enemie to all the proud; and therefore this dayofafllg- nationisas much as if God had faid;Ican no longer endure that men fhotild thus wic- kedly cxslt thcmftlucs againftme : and ther- forc all fuch as hft vp themfelues aboue mea- fure,fhall be broken in peeces with my hand. Now if this were well rooted in our hearts, who is it that would not abhorrcanddetefi pride, by which we thus prouoke the wrath of Godagainft vs? If any will reade, Proud and loftie, in the Neuter gender, it mufl be referred to the fortreffes, bulwaikcs,and mu- nitions: but the rules of Grammar cannot beare it, that wee fhould expound it other- wife then ofmensperfons. Verf.T J . Euen vpon nil the Cedars of Lebanon, that are high and exalted, and vpon all the OkesofBafhan, 1 4. And vpon all the mount aines,a»d vpon all the htlles that are lifted vp, I j. And vpon euerj hie tower, and vpon euery flroni wall. A LI thefe allegories which are here infer- red of t/i-jnm.and of the high mount amn, arc fo far off from darkning the matter, that they do rather giuc light vnto it.For let mor- tal! man exalt himfclfe as high as he will,yet fhal he ncucr be able to match y mountaincs. and higheft trees in height : which the Lord will as eafily ocate downc,as it is cafie for die windewithapurrctofcatterthclighc chaffc here and there. lf*ub then fhewes the proud hcre,as it were in a glafl'e,how vaine andfoo- lifh they were to think y their hautines could keepe them that God fhould not ouertop thein. There isalfb herc'an cxcefTiue man- ner of fpeechjwhich was of great weight, in refpect of amplifying the thrcatning. For it is not like thac God was angrie with the mounraines and trees; or as if hauing chan- ged his pmpofc hrc fhould now bring to noughr.that which himfeife had eftabliihed and fetled : but Ifaith lets the ludgement of God before their cies in the guiltles crea- tures,to the end they might the moreaHu- redly pcrfwade themfelues that their pre- sumptions and bold wickedr.es fhould not remaine vnpunifticd. We fee then wherforc he intermingles thefe figures of Ctfbiifitys and mjHnuint 1. Thac which is added of the yxuSei, is not fpoken by way of allegorie or figure. Wee know that whilelt men feele themlclues well fortified they flatter themfelues as if they flood in no great necde of Gods helpe.T/j/'afr then inentioncth the matter of their falfe confidence vnder the names of towers and walks. For if anyplace feemc to be vnable to be vanquifrudjthere will the prophaiie ones build their ncfts ; from which they defpite both heauen and earth, becaufe they thinke they arc there fafe from all dangers. Ipi ah threatens theiijthat when it fhalfpleafe the Lord to bring men downe, he can cjuickhc ouerthrow their fortreffes vpon which they in a falfe confidence leaned. And howfoe- ucr they are things, which in themfelues are not tobemifiiked; yet notwithflanding be- caufe they do too much occupie our braines, it is for very iufl caufejJut the Prophet fhar- peneth his fble againft them. And hereunto belonged that which hee fpake before as touching the Chariots and horfes,verfe 7. For as it is faid in AUcht: that Miche,f.i9 becaufe men doe reft themfelues beyond Vcrf.1 2. For the day of the Ltrd of meafure,vpon the riches of tins woril,there- hoflsis vpon all the proud andhautj,and %•»"»« they began to wax delicate, and to be- come more and more effeminate. But after their eyes were once dazelled with golden pictures, vefTels, prctious ftones and tapiftry, and that their noftrils were perfumed with oyntmentsand odors, by the fame meancs they became befotted in all theirfenfes ; and Verf. I<5. And "Jpon all the Jhips of in following the diflolutenesofcheEafterne Tarlhij7j,and vpon all plea fant pictures. P*"" as a more gentlemanlike faihion of li- uing, they began to ouertlow more and more in all difordcred diffolutenes. iudgement of God ; and withall admonifheth them that it is vnpcflible to returne into fauouragaine withhiin, till he hath bereft them wholly ofthofe things, to the end they fhould not reft anie more vpom the falfe fuc- cours of this world. BY Taifrjijh the Hebrewes do furely mesne Jlkia: and becaufe the Iewes had great rrsffkkevuth this nation,the Scripture often makes mention of the lhips of Tarfb'fb ; which were fo called, becaufe they frequen- ted that fea. Nauigation certainly is not to be condcmned,becaufe it bnnges Creat pro- be onely exalted in that day, fit and commoditie to men : as well to carrie Verf. 17. And the huntings of 'men\ fliallbe brought Iot, and the lof tines of man [hall be abafed,and the Lord Jhall forth as to bring home marchandife. This kinde or trafficke alfo cannot be hurtfulljfee- ing it is the will of God that all mankinde Should be heJpfuIl one to another by mutuall duties: but becaufe pride and crueltic isa- boue al things ingpndred by abundlce;ther- fore l/mah reproues this kind of merchandife, by which the land had been greatly enrich- ed. Addeheieunto, that oft times it comes to paffe that the merchandife and trafficke which is vied with nations farre off; is fnllof deceit and pillage, and there is no meafure arr.ongft men in this behalfe touching ex- ceffiue gaine. Firftthen the Prophets mea- THe Phophet in naming fomanykindes of heights in the former verfes, declares that he (pake of men. For the high moun- taines and great Cedars difpleafed not God, as they were his creatures : but he fignifics that all the raifchiefe rcfts in the hearts and hues of men, who do too much null in high and great things. But fome may obieci; It ObieA. oft times fals out that the wicked are fo farre off from comming to amendment or being humbled by the afletions which they fuffer, that they rather become the more obftinate and rebellious : as it appeares in Phartoh, Exod.t.\f. whofc hardnes could not be foftened by any &9-14' I ning is, that the Iewes ihall be ftrippcd of plagues whatfoeuer. Wherefore it feemes their riches ; to the end they may learne to fubiectthemfclues vndcr God. SecondIy,he fets forth their couetoulhes and vniawfull gaincsby fignes: as if one fhould defenbe murther by (hewing a fwordall bloodie. Thefecond part of the vcrfe fhewes that the Prophet condemnss that nauigation, by which the land was much infected with cor- ruptions.lt is a thing too frequent and com- mon^rhat delicacic, wantonnes, and abun- dance of voluptuoufneffe, doe eafily fol- low great wealth and riches, which is verie often feene in wealthie countries,and cities of merchandife. For thofe that trade into farre countries, contenting themfelucs no- thing at all with things which are in their houfes,do bring home with them new fump- tuous and rich Ituffes ; which in former time were vtterly vnknown. Now becaufe wealth, isforthemoft part the mother of fuperflui- tie and difToIutionvthe Prophet makes menti- on here of rich furniture;as if he fhould haue faid,The Iewes haue decked their houfesfo fumpniouflie , that they haue drawne the iudgement of God vpon them. For vnder the fletfmt piflurei, by a figure called Synecdo- che hce comprehends as well rich hangings, as the worke of ShyoU, and the veffels made by exqufite Arte. Nowitiscertaine that mens manners are corrupted when they giue their lulls the bri- dle thus to feeke here and there for fuch vn- necelfarie fupefluities. And we fee that fuch delicioufnes was the ruine of the Empire of Rome. For before the Romans trauelledinto Greet'., they were very chafle, continent and that that which the Prophet faith heere, comes not alwaies to pafTe. I anfwere, that ""* the effect of the chaftifment is not exprefleck as if God fhould bow rebels to his obediece. But thefenfe of the place is this, to wit, that although the reprobates be hardned, that the Lord will not thereforefinifh his chafrif- ments, whsrewith he will chaftife them, till fuch time as their pride and hautines be brought to the ground. For whileft they reft vpon their riches and fortifications,thinkmg (as they fay) to be fafe there ; they neither feare nor honour God. But although they be fortified neuer fo much, the Lord will lub- due and bring them downe eafilie ; not by a plague or two , but fo manie waies , that being brought low, and fhut vp, theyfhall ceafe to lift vp their homes againft him, and fhall prooue by experience that it is in vaine for them to be obftinate and rebelli- ous. That which is added, and the Lord onely [haiibe exaiied,hid\ been expounded before. Verf. 1 8 . tAnd the Idols mil he vt- terly deflroy. AS heretofore in his reprehenfion hee ioyned idolatrie with fuperfluiues,coue- toufnes and other vices ; 10 he now loyncs them againe together in denooncing the punifhment. Verf. 1 9. The y jhall goe into the holes of the rocks, and into the canes of the modeme.But in the ende hamng ouercomc tarthfrm bejore the feare of the Lord and T?rof>befie of Jfaiah, Chap. 2 . a and from the glorie of his '^Maiesty when he fhallarfe to deffrojt the earth. BEfore he vied other words : to wit.in con- ftrainias and compelling chem, (aping, Enter into the rocks; to the end hce BUgEt the more Iiuely pneke tbeil CM but now lie lhcwcs uiiatthcy Ih i.'l doc : and tcllcs them that they nuift enter. And here- by it appeares that that fentenccwas not an exhortation, but a terrible denuncia- tion of the heauic wrath ot God, to fearc the wicked,and obftinue, who dcl'pcrately de- fpifeall admonitio:is,andthreatnings. That which is added of the fcarttfthe turd, is to be vndcrftood,of the fearc which y Chaldeans and Aliyrunsput them in; whole land hce called before (as hce doth here a<:aine) the gloueof'God: becaufc hce fctti-d himlclie bythcmtoclnftif. -hi- people. '.V.oughthcn that they were difloy all andwickcd,yct they fcnicd to the gloric of God : feeing cuen the diucll himfclfc femes fonicwliat to that end in defpite of his teeth. Thus he fpeakes of the Chaldcans,and Aflynans, bccau'.e the glorie ofGod might be pcrceiued in the chiflile- ments which hee executed vpon the people by their hand. Hee confirmes the fame thing by the word t4ri/r,which fignifies as much as to go vp into the judgement featc to giue fentence. in the parcicle,whichby & by fbllowedM«/fr*t*<*« r*r«&,thcre is a goodly aJlufion or meeting of words, which can fcarcely beexprclfed in another language, as if hee fhould fay, To finite downe to tlie ground. Now hee faith that the Lord will «i/s4nd at th.it day fli all man cast away his (ilacr Idvls, and his golden Idols(.\ bich they had made themfelues to * Or,:n'n the worfljij) them) to* the monies and to the bole, of the, fafc a.c, ^ IDolatcrs doe pleafe themfelues wonder- fully in their fupeiftkions and wicked fer- uice. For although they bee full of crimes, and naughtines, yet behold their refuge, namcly,they ihinke to appcalc God by their goodly feruices. As if we at this day fhou!d let forth the wickednes, and villanies where- with the Papifts oucrflow,they were not able to denie them : but will flatter themfelues vnder this pretext forfooth, that they per- forme a goodly feruice vnto God,and will thinkc that all their vices fhould beefuffici- entlycoucrcd vnder this cloakc. The Pro- phet therefore pluckcs away this vizard from Idolaters,and denouncethagainftthem that they fhall no more haue ought where- with to couer their filthines. Tor the Lord will conftraine them to caft away their idols, to the end they may know it was in vaine f >r them to haue put their truft in them. Lailiy, they fhould be alhair.cd of their vanitic. Bc- caufe in prolpci itic they thought that Got] was fauorablc vnto them, as if he had taken delight in their lei nice : and could not othcrwile pcrlivadc thcmlelues,til fuch time as it was manifested vnto them by effect, that he abhotrcd them. It is in aducrfittc then that they began to acknowledge their filthines as the Prophet H«ff<> vene well Hof.i 7. tearhcth,whcn he compares them to harlots, who perceiue not their vndeanncs all the while they gainc well ; and imoy their plca- furcs. But when they haue loft thefc things and are forfaken ot their loucrs, then they begin to bethinke themfelues of their po- uertic and ihamc, and to enter into the waie of repentance ;of the which they would Oe> ucr once haue thought, whilcft they were lulled aflccpe in their wantonnes. And fo fallesit out with all ido'atcrs whoarcneuer fo afliamcd of rfheir beafthncs as to caft a- waie their Idoles from them, till being prel- fed with cxrreame calamine, they ihinke themfelues fomewhat low biought. .'icy ba For they cannot denie but they worlhip Images and puppets. Now where fuch adoration and honor hath place, there is a manifeft and plaine facnlcdgc, which cannot be difguifcd. By the holes of the mouUs, he here vndeiftands all filthy and vn- cleane corners whatioeuer, wheiein they fhould be hid with infbmie. Vet f. 2 1 . Togoe into the holes of the rockj, and into the tops of the rawed rocks, from before thefeare of the Lord, and from the glorie of his ma'tejite, when hejha/l rife to deflroy the earth, THis is no fuperfluous rcpetitiS, although Iftiab repcates the fame things whereof hee fpake but erewhile. For is there any thing more difficult then to prickc, & wound men to the cjuicke, and to prouoke them to the true feare of God ? We perceiue this,not onely in hypocrits, but cucn in our felues, if 4 wclooke narrowly into it. For how many things ?4 things are fet before vs,by which our minds ought to bee rauifhed; and yet notwith- standing wee are fcarce once mooued there. with?It was chiefly ncceffary that this Judge- ment of God fhould be repeated to the hy- pocrits, who pleafed themfeiues in their wic. kednes. Now the feucritie of Gods venge- ance is therein marufefted, namely, that the wicked chofe rather to be i wallowed vp into the deepeft gulfes that may be,then to come ncere into his fioht.From this place itfecmes that Chrift borrowed that wherewith he threatens the Iewes; in that day they (hall fay to the mountaines couer vs, and to the hills, hide vs. Luk. 13.30. V«f. 2i. Ceafe yen from the nun ubofe breath is in his noftrilles : fir wherein is he to be efteemed f THefe things arc conioyned with the for- mer, and haue bin ill diuided from them by fome. For after he hath with threatnings proclamed the judgements of God, he ex- hortes the wicked to ccafe from beguiling themfeiues by a vaine confidence: as if he ihould fay, I fee you are blinded and drunke with vaine hope, (b as there is no reafon at all which can preuaile with you ; which corns to paffc, becaufe you afenbe too much to yourfeluesjandyetiHW is nothing: for you haue to doe with God, who with nis onely looke is able to bring the whole world to confufion. This place is expounded diuerflys Forfomeinterpret it of Chrifl,&take breath, I.King. 19, for confirming; as alfo the Scripture is wont *'' elfewhere to vfe this fimihtude. They take mfirili for wroth, becaufe the figne of anger appearesinthe noftrils : andfo gather this fenfe ; Take hecde you mooue not Chrift to ivrathagainft you. Butifallbewellwaighed, we fhall find this expofition to be far oft from the fcope of the text. Others,although they expound it of men in general!, yet notwith- standing they referre it to this fentence; Feare not them that can kill the bodie, Mar. io.z8. But this opinion is no more fitting with the text then the other. For it fhould be from rhe purpofc and would not agree to the time : becaufe there was then no occasi- on todilTwade them from the feare of men. Butaslhaue faid,the coherence of the text, deares vs eafilie from all doubts. For the be- ginning of the chapter following expounds this plainly, and confirmes it : and he which diuided thefe things did ill to feparate that which ihould haue beene ioyned together: for he will there adde ; The Lord will take from you the things which fa much puftcs yp your hearts, and begets fuch high fpirits in you : This confidence which you haue is vaine and foolifh. And thereupon dependeth that which hee now faith, Cujefram man then Ctap.3 JT. But it is neceffary firft to fee what the breath of the noWuil Signifies. He thereby fets forth the fragilitie ofmankinde : namely, that the life of man is but a breath which forthwith va- nilheth away; and as Dauid faith, If the Lord withdraw the fpirit, man rcturncs to his duft: tA Commentaricvfon the Alfo, His fpirit departs, and he return et t« his earth. Pfal.i 04.19. Againe, They are flcflb, a breath which paffcth away artd recur nes not.Pfal.146.4. and 78.3?. Seeing then there is nothing fo feeble and weake as our life, whatmeanes this confidence, forfooth, as iftherootesof our ftabihtic were profound and ftrong ? We muft then ceafe from man ; that is to fay, we muft leaue this vaine con- fidence : for man hath his breath in hit nofirili; for if his foule once depart, he vaniiheth forthwith away as water. Now we fpeake here,of that breath by which man liue*, which is the weakeft of all things. Moreouer, when the Lord forbids vs t» put our truftin man, let vs beginne at our lelues; that is to wit, kt vsnot 111 any cafit truftin our wifdome, or induftrie. Inthefe- condplace,letvs depend neither vpon the helpe of men, nor vpon any creature elfe: hut let vs place our whole truftin the Lord. Curfed is he, faith Itremiah, which uufteth in man, and puts his ftrcngth in the artne of flefh, that is to fay, in outward meanes ?ndhelpes.Ier.t7.j. For wherein ii he to be cfleemed'] Behold here the right way how tobeatc downe all pride, namely when nothing is left to men wherein they may pleafe themfeiues. For this is as much as if the Prophet had find, Al the glorie ofthefleihisnothingj|pth. We muft alfo obferue,that this ifcPHiby companion, to the ende wee may leatne, that if fo be there bee any excellencie in vs, ic comes not by nature, but wee hold it all by borrowing the fame from without vs. We know that mankind was adorned of God with giftes which oughtnottobe defpifed j we know al- fo that fouie arc more excellent then others: but becaufe the moft part hauing reiecled the Lord, do pleafe themfeiues in their own forme and fliape beyond meafiire ; yea euen prophane men eftceme fo much of them- Jelues, as if they were gods : Iftiab therefore wifely feparates man (torn God, as alf6 the Holyghoft doth thorowout $ whole Scrip- ture. For when men are confidered in them- feiues, it better appeares how fraile their condition is, yea how tranfitorie,and incon- ftant. As foone therefore as men fhall once beginne to attribute vnto thtmfelues but the leaft ftrength whatfoeuer,thenmuft their vanitie bemade knowen,and difcouered vn- to them,to the ende they may acknowledge themfeiues to be nothing. By this onely ) word all the glorious titles of free will and mans merits doe fall to the ground, wherein the Papifts glorie againft rhe grace of God -. x and all that fond and foolifh loue, which prophane men haue of themfeiues, is alfo plucked away from them. Laftly we ere all } called home to God, the author ofal good things : to the end wee Ihould not think any thing excellent either in hcauen or earth, out of him. For his praife is forthwith echp- fed, iffobe the whole world be not ftripped ofall wifedome, ftrength and iufticc ; in a word, of all praife, that foicmay be giueq to God alone, THE rpropbe/teofffaiab. Chap. 3. V THE III. CHAPTER. Verf.i . For lot, the Lord God ofhofis trill tahea-vay from Iernfalem and from Iudth the (lay and theflrength, euen all the flay of bread and all the (lay of .ra- ter. E haue faid a little be- fore that the Prophet goes on ftill with the lame matter which he began in thecnik of the former chapter. For hee admonilheth the Iewcs, that how =" great riches iocucr they poflcflc ; yet notwithstanding they ihall not bee able by any meanes whucibcuer to hinder the wrath of God (being once infla- med againft them) to conlumc al! their pre- parations. Whence it appearcs,tliat they too much oucrlhoote thein:e!ues,who,to put farreaway from them allfearts, doe heapc & gather together weapons, power,ftrength of warrc^ counfels, great ftorc of victuals, and inch like. The particle dcmonftratiire Hm-i'i, which wee haue translated, i'tfco/a'.or Loe,is not put here for the more ccrtcntie of the matter ; but to let forth the lhortnes of the time, as lilftUh lhould eucn fet the thing itfelfe before the eyes of the wicked. Foritoftencoir.es to pane, thav (hole who dare not openly contemne the ludgements of God,do yet notwithstanding rcieft them, as if they touched them neuer a whit; orelfe as if they were farre off from them. What is that to vs, fay they ? or, if .iffliclions come, wherefore lhould wee nuke our (ehves 1111- ferable before the time i when the calarni- tie comes vpon vs, will it "not then be time enough to thinke vpon it '? Btcaufe then the wicked digge themfelues fuch hiding places, and fecurely take their eafe in defpiling the iudgements of God, the Prophet doih the more neerely prcfle them home , to the end they lhould not imagine that the hand of God lhould bee fane off; alio that all their ftaies , which they promifed to them- feluesjlhould be butinvainc. To this apper- tains that where he cailes God, the LoraGtd tf befit, that fq his Maieftie might the more daunt their lleepic and benummed confci- enccs. For God hath no needof titles: bat it is neceflaiy that our blockifhnes and drou- fines lhould be awakened by the fenfeand feelingofhis glorie.Now the Prophet in the firft place rhreatens,that the Icwes (hail be ftripped of all abundance of victuals, foas they ihall be forced to die for wanr. And by and by he willadde the fame thing as tou- ching their fuccours of warre, and all helps of politicke order and goiicrnmcnr. From hence we may <;ather,that the Iewes were fo lifted vp with the prosperous fuccclTe which ifccir affaires then had, that they fooluhly fe- cured themfelues, as if they had been vtter- ly exempt from all damage or decay. But IJoiah lets them know, that not oncly all the region (hall bee linittcn with the rods of God, but that Itrufjlem in like inanncr,which was as it were the inuinciblc fortreffe of the whole nation, lhould be linittcn alio : as if he fhould fay, The wrath of God ihall not one- be fcattered vpon the bodic ; but it ihall pearce alio eucn vnto the very heart. As tou- ching the words, Wafljtn and Mifl>tnah,v/h\d\ he hath put in the mafculin, and in the femi- nine gender, 1 doubt not but by this daucr- (i'.ic,he would more certainliccxprclfc, iliat all kinds of ftaies lhould bee broken: and theiforelhauc rranllucd,/fr«i:;»r> ejr /?•»>■. For Inpproouenotofrheirexpofitiorts who re- fcrre this to men: bccaufeit is ruber to bee viul?rftoode of all hclps,of all kinds. Notwithstanding foine doubt whether the Prophet rertraines this to victuals,or rather whether he rcferres it to the other hclpcs and ftaies which doe follow a little after. But it is very likely that vnder thefe two words he generally comprehends all things whstfoeuer, which are iiccelfarie for thefu- ftenraiion oftheeftate ofacitie, or people : and alio, that by way of explication, hee names fome fpccials. The fiift member then hath thisfcope, to wit,thatt:.e Lord will tread vnder fecte, all d.f.ncesandncheSjby meanes whereof they thought to continue fafe ; fo as there (hould be nothing left tofuccaur them. Secondlie, headdes, what the pouertie and want (hall be: and as we haue faid,he begins with food, v. hich.in the firft place, is of al other the molt neceffarie hclpe for fufhining mans life. Now the Lord takes the ftrcngth of bread and of water away two waics.- firft, when hee takes them from vs altogether ; or elfc when he takes away their ftrength to nourilhvs. For if God infpires not a fecretvertueinto the,they can profit vs nothing at all, though we fhould haue them in neuer fo great abun- dance: and that is the reafon why iris faid cl]"ewhere,that he breakes the ftaffc of bread: Ezcch.4.16. That is to fay, Though the Ba- kers giue out bread by waight,and though it be eaten, yet it ihall not fatistie them any thing at all. This fimilitude ought to be dili- gently obferued,to the end wee may know, that although the bcllie bee filled neuer fo full,yet we ihal alwaies bee hungrie.becaufe the fecret bleffing of God, which nourilheth and giueth ftrength, is wanting. But although the want wherewith the Prophet threatens the people in this place may be vnderflood of famine, bccaufcGod will depriue the Iewes of allkindofrelicfc; notwithstanding, becaufc the Prophets are wont for the moft part to take thefe manners of fpeech out ofthe law ; this interpretati- on agrees vety well. For hee might (implie haue faid, I will take away from you bread and Go J t.ikct aivayfticgtb' from bread after two fortj. r-tuit.\6. it. ft is not bread, but God his l=- ere: bleffing which nou. rifheih. }* vi Comment arte --upon the H! and wirie : but he expreffeth a thing more fccretjin fpeaking of the flay and (irenpb ef tread and xr#ttr : as if he Ihould fay, Although the people bee not brought to pouertie tor want of nieate and drinkc, yet God can lb vfc thematter,th.ittl- y Shall famifh for hunger, euenwhilefttheyfwjllow downe theirmor- fels: becaufe h.sbkfllng being taken away, all nourilhment Shall pjlfe away as fmoke. To be thorr,his meaning is, that the people (hail hauc no food that lhall Strengthen them, ei- ther becaufe they lhall haue no bread nor watcr;or if they hauc them, yet they (lull be able to get no nourilhment out of themi Vet f. I . The fir on g m*in,and the mxn •of warre, the Iud urditie follow, to reckon it among the number of their cha- Shfements, to wit, chat this people fo full of wickedneiTe Hull be alfo depriued cuen of all vnlawfull fuccours : as in Ho/ia, the Idols Hofea ;j, are ioyncd with the Altar and the Sacrifices. Hje calles h:m the Duke or Captain* of fifiie, according to the manner of fpeech then in vfe. For the Captaines of fifcie were among the Iewes, as they of hundreds were among the Romanes. The Greekesdo call them by a name which Signifies Princes of hundreds. And becaufe fuch manner of principahtie was not in vfe among the La- tins, therefore the name alfo was vnknowne vnto them. The Hebrew word hen, which I haue tranflated Senattur, may be apphed to particular perfons, who are excellent in knowledge. But becaufe they attribute it to Counlcllors who exercife a pubhkc charge, I Would not depart from the common opinion. Moreouer, becaufe handicrafts men haue their good vfe in the conferuarion of the common good, and for Supporting of art eftate, afwcll as other Arts, Ijatah faith,that they alfo being aboliihcd, the downefall of the Iewes approcheth vpon them. The expo- fitours expound that which isfaid inthclaft place diucrfly ; word for word it is, He which vnderftandeth low words, Spoken betwecne the teeth. Now becaufe the pythoniiallfpi- rits do g:ue their anfweres by mumblings and low voices, fomc thinke that he Should fpeake hecrc of Inchantments. Others ex- pound it better j who by the word ladai vn- derftand fecret counfels. Eut for as much as by this word, we may vnderStand a graue oration as well as of things fecret ; I haue not been afraid to tranflate it 9ratours. Notwith- standing if any had rather Tnderfland it of thofe men who are prudent and learned, who being vnfit for oratorie in pubhke, doe yet giue counfell in Sccier, which alfo is a good thing ; I do not fay againfl it. To conclude,we are to obftrue this fumma- rie defcription of a well ordered eftate. For 1 firft lfriah hath placed corne and other things neceSurieforthe maintenance of life in the- foiefront : fecondly, force of warre: t thitdly,knowledge how to goucrne J people, , and other parts of pohticall gouernment: in the fourth place the prophetical! funftion & ^ cliarge : and laftly handicrafts. The Lord beautifies the people with thefc helpes whom he minds to kecpefafe and found: and on the contrarie, ftrippes thofe of them whom he means to bring to ruine.Let ts know the, _ that all things which we finde profitable to maintainevsinthis Lfe, flowes vnto vs from the free fauourofGod. Whence it followes » that we conSidcr an other point ; to Wit, that we take diliget heed that we by our vnthsnk- fuincs Trophefie of jf faith. Chap. $ V fulnes doe net depriucour fclues of fo ex- cellent gifts ot God. Vcrf.4. esii!dlrt men> doe allof tnem llc'Pe onc q$ ' another by mutuall community : and doc knit themfciucs together for the common fafetic of (he people. For feeing ihe Prophet threa- tens and denounccth that theft things (hall be abolilhed as a mod heauic itidgemcnt of Coddle fufiiciently ihcwcs.that thelc arc rare and cxceUent gifts, which arc ncctffaric for the conferuation of the people. The office of Magulratcs, Captaincs, and Souldicrs is here commended vntovsthen; as alio the office of Teachers. Which we arc well to notc,again(l thofe frantickc fcllowes, who flriuc to cut off from the woild,thc pow- er of the fword; and all other good politicks orders. Now the Prophet (licwes that thefc things arc not taken away but when Godis difplcafed. It fbllowes thereupon then, that fuch folke who fight againft fuch benefits of God, reiecting and quenching all that in them lies the fame, arc wicked ones and ene- mies to the publikc good.Alfo the Miniftry of the word doth here receme his commendati- on,without which a Common- wealth cannot longenduic. For where no prophefic is (as Salomon faith) there the people perilh : Prou. 29.18. Moreoucr,handicrafts, tillage, ill oc- cupations of what fort foeucr they oe.asCar- pcnters,Labotirers, and fuch hke/vhichferue for the ncceflitics and commodities of men, are here praifed,as die minifters and feruants of the Lord,and haue the fame cnd,as the o- theis before mentioned; to wit,toprefcrue mankind. We may alio fay the fame as tou- ching them that profeffe the arte nulltariej for although a lawful! wane ought to be no- thing elfe but a meancs of peace, yet not- withftanding, it is neceflarie fometimes to come to ftrokes : fo as they who haue the ad- mimftration of the fword, doe vfe it in defen- dingthemlelues and theirs. Wane therefore mull not be condemned in it felfe,becaufe it is a meanes to confeiue a Common-wealth. Eloquence alfo is a thing not to be defpifed : becaufc there is often neede of ir,as well in publike, as in priuate, fully and plainely to ihew a thing,and to make a trueth clearc and euident. For that alfo is reckoned amongft the gifts and fpeciall bleflings of God, when a citie aboundeth with prudent and elo- quent perfonages, who can debate with ihe aduerfaries , in the gate, or in the .place where neede (hall require to defend it fclfe by counfell and reafon. Now the fumme of this place is, that when the Lord takes away his gifts from a people, and changeth their eflatc,be it any way how- 1 foeuer, either by altering the forme ofgo- ucinment,or that good goucrnours be taken away; the wrath of Godis tobceacknow- ledged,who takes away Kings in his wrath,as Hojea faith,and giucs others in his anger:Ho- fea 13. ir. We mud not therefore attribute fuch changes to fortune,or to other caufes. Verf.j. The people fljall bee oppreffed one of another, <$• euery one by his neigh- bour: the children Jhall pre fume againfi the aunctent^tnd the vile againft the ho- norable. HE hcredefcribes an excecdinggrcatper- turbation which approchedto fall vpon E the M.ofl.-jm; Mi.nifteri. Handcrafts men. 4 S illlilicM. A lawful! w.ure, is no., thing els but a manner of peace. 1 Reihoiiei- am. Vfal.lli.fl *A Comment 'arte njfion the * Or,fiat« tering. the lewes ; all good order being broken and fallen to the ground,as it happens to all peo- ple as (bone as good gouerninent is ouer- throvvne. We know how great the fhame- les malice of mans rainde is where ambition carries euery one away thereunto. Laftly, howkinous the litfts of the flsili are, where there is no bridle to reftraine them. And therefore it is no maruaile if one doe proud- ly lift vphimfelfeagainft another, rhatcru- eltiehath the fwinge there; and that euerie one takes libertie to commit all manner of outrage, when lufhce is ouerthrowne, and laid in theduft. If we wifely confiderthis,we {hall cfteeme more highly of the bleffings which God beftowes vpon vs, when he main- taines vs in a tolerable and good eftate, and fuffers vs not to bee mifcrabhe waited and fcactered. Whence it appeares, that thole who fpend and imploy their wits to ouer- throw politickc gouernments, are the open enemies of mankind: yea, they differ no- thing at all from brute beafts. But this cor.fufion which the Prophet here defcribes is moil odious,to wit, that the child (hall prefume againft the auncient, that the people of wife, and thofe of bate condition, ihallrifevp againft thofc that aicbonoraote, and men of reputation. For there is nothing more ftrange then to fee them fhamefully in- treated,who are worthy tobchonoured.And yet notwithftanding thefe vnfeemely and odious examples happen, when the pohticke order is ouerthrowne. Whereas 1 luue tran- flated the verbe Niggfh.lo endeuour,orto doe their vtmoft, it was by conftrain: : foro- thdwife the meaning of the Prophet had been imperfect. Verf.6. When euery one /ball ta'je bold of hi; brother ofth; hottfe of his fa- ther; and fay, thou h&Q: clothing: thou fjalt be our Prime, and let this * fall bee vnder thine hand. FOrasmuch as this fentence is of affinitie with the former,and ftill continues to the words following, He [ball (wtatt ; it is cer- taine that the particle Ci, is taken as fignify- jngacertainetime. For the Prophet inten- ding to let forth an extreame miferie into which this people mould faJ, he faith, There fhall be no man which will take the charge of gouernment vpon him,although he fhall be entreated fo to doe. Surely ambition hath die fwinge io for the mod part amongft men, that the greater part doe alwaies thirft and long for hcadlhip (and that with enuie) one ouer another, yea they afpire many times to get it with hazard of their liues : For cuen in all times we (hall fee that the greedie luft to reigne and rule hath fhaken the whole world: and there is not the meaneft village in which fome are not to bee found who would be right glad tohaue power and au- thorise giuen them to command the reft : fo much is flefh and blood prone by nature to Thin»sare be couetous of honour. Whence wee may comecoave- perceiue , that all things are brought to an extreame exigent, when fuch a dignitie is r.y low ebbc, not onely contended, but alfo reiecfed with lVi*el? mea adifdainefull refufall. For the calamine is ,ref"'c "i extreame,and pad cure, when men begin to flee and auoid that which they were wont na- turally to couet. But for the fuller amplification of the mat- ter, the Prophet fets other circumftances before vs; to wit, that the lewes lhall rather cad off all fenfeand feeling of mcrcie and humanity.then to take vpon them the charge of gouernment.Ifany lliould refule to rule in a ftrange countne, it may bee it would not fecme ftrange at all : but when we fpeake of the preferuing of our brethren , it is too vn- curteous a dealing to refufe fo honorable a charge. It is a fionc then of an extreame de- fperatenes,when he vpon whofc faithfulneffc his brethren doe reft themfelues, and whole aide and fuccour they wait for , and defire, rcicfls and cafts a 11 defire of rule and autho- rise from him. And therefore alio they haue been wont to chufe thofe for Princes who areiich; or at the leaft,it is very feldome that gouernment is committed to any,but fuch as are of a com- petent fufficiencic, left their poucrty fhould expofethem to contempt and difdaine, or elfe draw them to vfe vnlawfuil fmfts. This circumftancc is alfo adied, to wit, that although they bee fufficient to bcare the burthen, yet they fhall not accept of it; as if hee fhould fay, that not themeaneand bafe people fhall refufe the place of gouern- ment ondy, but cuen the greatcft and bed furnifhed alio. Moreouer,the yerbe,(b.iUr^e, hath a great emphalis in it : for it is altogc- therasmuch in (.fteft as to lay hands vpon him,toarrefthim:asif/j4('i*hadfaid, Thole who fhall feeke a Prince, fhall not proceede therein by allurements nor intreaties, but there fhall bee a multitude full of tumulr, where they fhall enduiourto lay hands vp- on fome one or o:her by violence, and fhall force him to take the charge of gouernment vpon him. And there is no leife weight in the Jaft circun.ftancc when he addes, 2 hk jcnttt- rinn lba:J ire vnder thy tanrf.that is to (ay,At the leaft if there be left in thee any fparke of mercie or humanity, put forth thatftrength thou haft to helpe vs in this our extreame mifery.For when a troup of men are as a fcat- teredflocke, asking fuccour at the hands of oneof their brethren, as at theirpaftor and fhepheard, yea, pitifully bewailing their fcattering, their hearts arc harder then iron orflint,who will not then lend their helping hand for their helpe. Sometranflate,Lct thy hand be vnder this fcattering; to wit.tofu- fteineit: as if there were therein fome am- plification in the Prophets words. Verf. 7. In that day he fiallfreare, faying,! cannot be an helper : for there ts no bread in mine hoiife nor clothing:ther- fore make me no Prince of the people. BY the word, To fxetre, he cxprefTeth a ve- hement refufall, and a refolute denial.For often Tropbefieof fforafj. Chap. 3. •ften it falles our, that h;, who in the begin- ning excuied liimlclfc.and made (hew to bee vnable todoc any thing, yet at the lad being intrcatcd,doihyceld to that which is reque- ued ot him: but he who rcfuletb any thing, and that byway of an oath,giucs them that haue fought Ins helpe no hope,tlnt hec will euer fulfill that denies: for he hath rclblucd to continue his purpofe. And it may be alio that the particle, in that diy fignifics.n much asincont:ncmly,that,is without paulingany thing at all,or making any longer cofultation about the matter. Hut becaulcit may alio be taken tofignifica time full of calamine, I do notgainclay this latter. There isnodiftiail- tic as touching the Prophets meaning, one- he he purpofed to lay thus much in effect, that there lhall be no refuge norfitrcmcdic to reftore this wofull difftpation. Although the expofitors doc interpret this hebrew word eMiefli diuci flyiyct I agree willingly with them, who thinke it lhould be a fimilitude taken from Surgeons : becaufe there is nothmgmore fitting thereunto. And 'DEcaufe the Prophet had to deale with hy- it is all one asiffome bodie being caJled to ■Dpocrits, that were (hamelefie anditnpu- hcaleafickem.in,hc finuld anlwcrc, lam no Phyfitian ; or, the nature of the dileafe is fo incurable, that it is impofflole to hcale it. The conjunction cooulatiue Vm, which fol- \t ouerflowed in committing their wickednef- fes. Theepitbite f.on, is alfo to be marked : Km it is a (igne of more ihen a furious bru- lilhncs, not to be touched with any ft are or reuerence, when the Maicftic of God is pre- feht. Now God had wonderfully rnanlFefUdl buglorieto the |>eoplc of llracl,lo as they ought to haue been humbled in goodcar- earneft, ifthcy had had any droppe of lhame orniodcftic in them. Let the wicked then murmure againli God as they wi!l,and accufc him of crucltie,yet (lull thecaule of all their calamities be found in their owne hands. Ve-rf.p. The triull of their counte- nance*tefiifietb again/} them; yea, they *J$j£$k declare their finnet as Sedotnt, they h;de tl>cm. them not. Woe be vtito their fo: