Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

TO the end the Lord might confirm this prophecy by some external sign, he commands Isaiah to walk naked. For if the Prophet had done this of his own head, he had justly deserved to have been mocked for his labour: but in regard he did it at Gods bidding, there is nothing to be seen in him which is not worthy of admiration, yea, of great fear. Under this nakedness, and such other signs, there are weighty matters included: besides, God never did any thing either immediately by himself, neither yet by any of his servants, but the reason of it is forthwith declared. Thus Isaiah walks not naked only, but shows what his drift is, that is to say, why the Lord enjoined him to do it; otherwise the false Prophets might imitate the servants of God, changing themselves into divers fearful forms to dazzle the eyes of simple people, and so get estimation: but such signs are nought worth, because God is not the author of them.¹ Which we are diligently to observe, in regard of the Papists, who are ready to advance and set up new Ceremonies in stead of true Sacraments. This is the rule which we must oppose against them, to wit, if these Ceremonies of theirs be of God, then ought we to receive them: if not, then is it lawful for us to reject them; nay, we can in no wise, approve of them, but we therein offer wrong unto God, because mortal men do then usurp that authority which unto him belongeth.

TO the end the Lord might confirme this prophesie by some externall signe, he commands Isaiah to walke naked. For if the Prophet had done this of his owne head, he had iustlie deserued to haue been mocked for his labor: but in regard he did it at Gods bidding, there is nothing to be seene in him which is not worthie of admiration, yea, of great feare. Vnder this nakednes, and such other signes, there are weightie matters included: besides, God neuer did any thing either immediatlie by himselfe, neither yet by any of his seruants, but the reason of it is forthwith declared. Thus Isaiah walks not naked only, but shewes what his drift is, that is to say, why the Lord enioined him to do it; otherwise the false Prophets might imitate the seruants of God, changing themselues into diuers fearefull formes to dazle the eies of simple people, and so get estimation: but such signes are nought worth, because God is not the author of them.¹ Which we are diligentlie to obserue, in regard of the Papists, who are readie to aduance and set vp new Ceremonies in stead of true Sacraments. This is the rule which we must oppose against them, to wit, if these Ceremonies of theirs be of God, then ought we to receiue them: if not, then is it lawfull for vs to reiect them; nay, we can in no wise, approue of them, but we therein offer wrong vnto God, because mortall men doe then vsurp that authoritie which vnto him belongeth.