A17640:1092
Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah
A commentary upon the prophecy of Isaiah. By Mr. John Calvin. Whereunto are added four tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Vers. 29. Rejoice not (thou whole Palestine) because the rod of him that did beat thee is broken: for out of the Serpents root shall come forth a Cockatrice, and the root thereof shall be a fiery flying Serpent.
Vers. 29. Reioyce not (thou whole Palestina) because the rod of him that did beate thee is broken: for out of the Serpents roote shall come forth a Cockatrice, and the roote thereof shall be a fierie flying Serpent.
IN the very entrance, he beats back that vain confidence wherewith the Philistines were rashly puffed up: and in adding, thou whole, he signifies that all, how many soever, shall have their part in this calamity. As if he should say; That region shall not be spoiled in one place only, but there is not the least corner which shall not feel it: and as far as the land doth reach, so far shall the destruction and ruin thereof be perceived on all sides. As touching that which he addeth of the rod broken; some refer to Ahaz but besides the purpose; for he was overcome in all the wars which he had against the Philistines. And therefore it should rather be referred to Uzziah: and yet am I loth so to restrain it unto him, that it should not therewithal be understood of the whole body of the Jewish Nation. It is as much then as if he had said to Palestine, or Palestine; Thinkest thou to take thy rest, whilst the Jews which afflicted thee in times past, are destroyed? No, thou greatly deceivest thy self: for ere long thou shalt be vexed much more. This is the cause, as I have said, why I restrain not this to one particular person; but rather as I take it, under the person of one, he points out the whole body of the Jews. He forthwith adds the reason why Palestine should not rejoice; to wit, because the Jews shall be better able to annoy them then they were in former time. For if the Philistines received any detriment by the Jews before, they should feel it ten times more heavy hereafter. The which he sets forth by a very fit similitude: for the Cockatrice is more dangerous then the Adder, and the fiery Serpent more hurtful then the Cockatrice. But God be thanked we are not annoyed with these hurtful beasts in this Country. The Prophets meaning is nothing else then, but to show that the Philistines greatly beguiled themselves, in thinking that the Jews should not overmatch them. And therefore I consent not unto them, who refer the name of the Cockatrice, and flying Serpent, unto Hezekiah. For howsoever they have great show of reason for it, because Hezekiah conquered all that the Philistines held, even unto Gaza: