Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

And to the end that no man should wonder why he speaks thus to things without sense or reason, experience it self not obscurely teacheth us that the voice of God is heard even of the dumb creatures: yea, and the very order of nature is nothing else but an obedience, which is yielded unto him throughout all the parts of the world, to the end his sovereign authority might shine in all places. For the elements, the heavens and the earth, do their duties, and yield obedience to the commandment which is prescribed them, and that at the least beck which God maketh to them: The earth bringeth forth her fruits; The Sun, the Moon and the Stars do finish their courses; The Sea passeth not beyond the limits which God hath appointed unto it; The heavens also do turn about to their certain spaces: Finally, in all things we may observe a wonderful distinction, although all these creatures be destitute of reason and understanding. But man, who is endued therewith, in whose ears and heart the voice of the Lord so often sounds, as if he were wholly senseless, moveth not, neither boweth he his neck to submit himself to the obedience of his God. The dumb and insensible creatures then shall bear witness against such obstinate and rebellious persons, to the end they may one day feel that this obtestation was not used in vain.

And to the end that no man should wonder why he speakes thus to things without sense or reason, experience it selfe not obscurely teacheth vs that the voyce of God is heard euen of the dumbe creatures: yea, and the very order of nature is nothing else but an obedience, which is yeelded vnto him thorowout all the partes of the world, to the end his soueraigne authoritie might shine in all places. For the elements, the heauens and the earth, doe their duties, and yeeld obedience to the commaundement which is prescribed them, and that at the least becke which God maketh to them: The earth bringeth foorth her fruits; The Sunne, the Moone and the Starres doe finish their courses; The Sea passeth not beyong the limits which God hath appointed vnto it; The heauens also doe turne about to their certaine spaces: Finally, in all things wee may obserue a wonderfull distinction, although all these creatures be destitute of reason and vnderstanding. But man, who is indued therewith, in whose eares and heart the voyce of the Lord so often sounds, as if he were wholly senselesse, mooueth not, neither boweth he his necke to submit himselfe to the obedience of his God. The dumbe and insensible creatures then shall beare witnes against such obstinate and rebellious persons, to the end they may one day feele that this obtestation was not vsed in vaine.