A17640:1632
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. 11. And he shall stretch out his hand in the middest of them, (as he that swimmeth stretcheth them out to swim) and with the strength of his hands shall he bring down their pride.
Vers. 11. And hee shall stretch out his hand in the middest of them, (as hee that swimmeth stretcheth them out to swimme) and with the strength of his handes shall hee bring downe their pride.
Now the Prophet both expounds and confirms the former sentence; yet it is by way of another similitude: whereby he gives them to understand, that the Lord will stretch out his hand into the very middest of Moab's Country, and will not lightly touch some corners or out places thereof. Some expound this similitude thus; Even as men stretch forth their arms in swimming, so the Lord will chastise the Moabites on this side and on that.
NOw the Prophet both expounds and confirmes the former sentence; yet it is by way of another similitude: whereby hee giues them to vnderstand, that the Lord will stretch out his hand into the verie middest of Moabs Country, and will not lightly touch some corners or out places thereof. Some expound this similitude thus; Euen as men stretch forth their armes in swimming, so the Lord will chastise the Moabites on this side and on that.
Others think he speaks of inflicting manifold punishments upon them: as if he should say; The Lord will not correct the Moabites once only, but will be revenged on them the second, yea the third time, for the cruelty which they exercised upon his children. But we may expound this similitude another way; They that swim we know use not to cast themselves in violently, but they go gently to work, and spread out their arms very softly; and yet in the mean while, they cut and pass through the water: So the Lord will not often use his greatest forces to confound the wicked, but will easily, without weapons or great tumults, bring them to destruction, how valiant or well furnished soever they seemed to be. This exposition of the similitude pleaseth me best, because it doth in nothing deprave the former sense, & gives us to understand, that God oftentimes brings the wicked to nothing by his power, although he do not ever and anon thunder from heaven in the sight of all the world. Whereas he saith, he will do this in the middest of it; he shows that there is no corner so close, into which this vengeance of God shall not pierce.