Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 26. This is the counsel that is consulted upon the whole world, and this ⟨p. 163⟩is the hand stretched out over all nations.

Vers. 26. This is the counsell that is consulted vpon the whole world, and this ⟨p. 163⟩is the hand stretched out ouer all nations.

The Lord contents not himself with a confirmation or two: no, he hath much ado to refrain from assuring us more and more of one and the same thing; and all because he knows how greatly our understanding is naturally inclined to distrust: for no repetitions suffice us, although he makes never so large promises in many words, and adds his oath thereunto. The Lord then we see is desirous to remedy this evil,¹ and thereto tends the repetition, that we should not esteem it as superfluous. For those who think the Prophet (or rather the spirit of God) should heap up too many words,² have not yet attained unto any knowledge of their own weakness. Well, in the first place he propounds the will and counsel of God: secondly his power. Whence comes it that we doubt of his word, but because we attribute not that strength unto God which to him belongeth, neither are we well persuaded of his power? These two things are wholly the cause of our incredulity, against which we ought to oppose two other things,³ which Isaiah here recommends unto us, to wit, the counsel, and the power of God. For we must in the first place hold it without controversy that the Lord is true, because he pronounceth nothing but that which is stable and •••utable: secondly, that he is so mighty, that every knee must bow under his hand. Now it is not for us to search into the secret counsel of God, because the Prophet commands us here to rest our selves contented in the decree which the Lord hath manifested unto us by his word. We must not then fly any higher to pry into the secrets of God, but must rest satisfied with the infallible testimonies which he propounds unto us by the mouth of his Prophets.