A17640:1303
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.
The manner of speech is somewhat obscure: but if we examine it well, there is little or no difficulty at all in the sense. For his meaning is, that the sixth part of the Cities shall only perish, and that the rest shall continue safe. The most difficulty is in the word Haheres: some read it Hacheres; that is to say, of the Sun: but they deceive themselves by taking one letter for another. Those who expound it of the Sun, think that the Prophet spake of Heliopolis: but it suits not well with the scope of the text: because he not only promiseth that five Cities shall be restored (for that had been no great matter) but saith in general, that of six towns or cities, five shall remain untouched: and doubtless there were many Cities in Egypt.
The manner of speech is somewhat obscure: but if we examine it well, there is little or no difficultie at all in the sense. For his meaning is, that the sixt part of the Cities shall onely perish, and that the rest shall continue safe. The most difficultie is in the word Haheres: some reade it Hacheres; that is to say, of the Sunne: but they deceiue themselues by taking one letter for another. Those who expound it of the Sunne, thinke that the Prophet spake of Heliopolis: but it sutes not well with the scope of the text: because hee not onely promiseth that fiue Cities shall bee restored (for that had been no great matter) but saith in generall, that of sixe townes or cities, fiue shall remaine vntouched: and doubtlesse there were manie Cities in Egypt.
I let pass the fables of the old writers, and of those who have affirmed, that it contained twenty thousand Cities. Yet it must not be denied, but there were a great number in a Country so renowned and well peopled; in a Kingdom that flourished as it did, and was so frequented, and in so sweet and well tempered an air. Let us put the case then, that there were a thousand Cities, or a few more. He saith, that the sixth part only shall perish, and that the rest shall be restored: so as the number of the destroyed, shall be little in comparison. Now it appears sufficiently by that which follows anon after, that this restoration is to be understood of the worship and service of God.