Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Here he concludes that which he had pronounced before touching the scourges of God: to wit, that there should be such a ruin; or rather, that it is already present, so as by the beholding of it, it might be fitly resembled to the destruction of Sodom: were it not that the Lord should pull out a few remainders as out of the midst of the fire. This verse therefore confirms that which I said erewhile: where the Prophet having spoken of the calamities which were already happened, did in brief manner conjoin therewith the event which should shortly ensue: as if he should have said, Suffer not your selves to be beguiled with fair words: For look what destruction happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, the same should fall upon you, unless the Lord in having compassion upon you, should reserve some few. And unto this agrees that which is said in Jeremiah, It is the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, &c. Lament. 3.22.

HEre he concludes that which he had pronounced before touching the scourges of God: to wit, that there should be such a ruin; or rather, that it is alreadie present, so as by the beholding of it, it might bee fitly resembled to the destruction of Sodom: were it not that the Lord should pull out a few remainders as out of the midst of the fire. This verse therefore confirmes that which I said erewhile: where the Prophet hauing spoken of the calamities which were alreadie hapned, did in briefe manner conioyne therewith the euent which should shortly ensue: as if hee should haue said, Suffer not your selues to be beguiled with faire words: For looke what destruction hapned to Sodom and Gomorah, the same should fall vpon you, vnlesse the Lord in hauing compassion vpon you, should reserue some few. And vnto this agrees that which is said in Ieremiah, Jt is the Lords mercies that wee are not consumed, &c. Lament. 3.22.

Now from hence we are to note two things: §1First, that he here denounceth an extreme ruin: yet for as much as God hath to do with his Church and elect people, therefore this judgement shall be mitigated by a particular and special favour; to the end the faithful (whom he here rightly compares to small remnants) may be delivered from the general destruction of the whole nation. Now if God hath punished the iniquities of the Jews by such horrible chastisements, do we think the like wll not befall unto us if we partake with them in their rebellions? for the Lord had consecrated this people to himself, and had exempted them from the common condition of others. And wherefore should he rather spare us if we continue hardened in our impiety and disloyalty? But which more is, what issue can we expect in the midst of such an heap and puddle of vices whereinto men plunge themselves every way throughout the whole world? Truly even the same that befell to Sodom and Gomorrah: namely, that we should be brought to nothing, did not the respect which God hath to his free covenant (wherein he hath promised that his Church shall never perish) withhold his vengeance from us. This threatening also which is very terrible and fearful, appertains to all those that are obstinate and desperate, whose manners cannot be reformed by any strokes of God his rods.