Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Besides, God imposeth not,¹ nor sets signs before us without the word: for what Sacrament would it be if we should only behold the bare sign? It is the doctrine only which makes the Sacrament. Let us know then that there is nothing but plain deceit when the word goes not before. The Papists do therefore fondly impose the name of Sacrament to their vain Ceremonies, when they are not able to confirm them by the pure Scriptures. Well, the Lord hath so joined these things together, that none can separate them, but withal they offer violence to the order which he hath instituted.

Besides, God imposeth not,¹ nor sets signes before vs without the word: for what Sacrament would it be if wee should only behold the bare signe? It is the doctrine only which makes the Sacrament. Let vs know then that there is nothing but plaine deceit when the word goes not before. The Papists do therefore fondlie impose the name of Sacrament to their vaine Ceremonies, when they are not able to confirme them by the pure Scriptures. Well, the Lord hath so ioined these things together, that none can separate thē, but withall they offer violence to the order which he hath instituted.

1. 1When God imposeth any Ceremony, he adds his word unto it.When God imposeth any Ceremonie, he addes his word vnto it.

Now in that Isaiah is commanded to loose the sackcloth, the most of the interpreters gather that the Prophet was at that time clothed with a mourning weed, in regard that he bewailed the calamity of Israel: for sackcloth was a mourning garment, as appears by that which is said in Joel, Chap. 1.13. They say then that this was done, that in bearing upon him the garments of the guilty or condemned, he might ask pardon of God: or, that it could not be that his apparel and countenance should testify gladness, because his heart was in heaviness. And indeed it was unpossible but he must needs be sore afflicted in beholding so great and horrible calamities.