Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 18. Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins were as crimson, they shall be made white at snow: though they were red as scarlet, they shall be as wool.

Vers. 18. Come now and let vs reason together, saith the Lord: though your sinnes were as crimsin, they shall bee made white at snow: though they were red as skarlet, they shall be as woll.

Come now.] The Expositors have been wont to translate, I pray you, or Then: but me thinks the assurance of a good cause is here noted; so as the Hebrew particle now, serveth for an exhortation. For he shows that the Jews should be able to make no replies, and that they would remain stark dumb; although long time should be given them to justify themselves. And surely so must hypocrites be dealt withal: for they are skilful to plead boldly with God, and will be seeking out starting holes. Therefore he saith if they be minded to plead, he is as ready as they.

COme now.] The Expositors haue beene wont to translate, I pray you, or Then: but me thinks the assurance of a good cause is here noted; so as the Hebrew particle now, serueth for an exhortatiō. For he shewes that the Iewes should be able to make no replies, and that they would remaine starke dumbe; although long time should be giuen them to iustifie themselues. And surely so must hypocrites be dealt withall: for they are skilfull to pleade boldly with God, and will bee seeking out starting holes. Therefore he saith if they bee minded to plead, he is as readie as they.

Quest. But some may demand what reason the Prophet hath to stand chiefly upon the duties of the second Table, rather than upon the duties of the first. For we know that in dividing of the law, it is not without cause that God hath placed the first Table foremost, as in the chief rank. Neither is it to be doubted, but as it is first in order, so is it also foremost in dignity. I answer, Ans. that the Prophets have spoken diversly in reproving the hypocrisy of men. For sometimes they complain that the Sabbath is violated: Otherwhiles that prayer is neglected: but chiefly and principally they cry out against idolatry and superstitions. But our Prophet complains here, that men made none account of their duties towards their neighbours. Yet so it is, that all tends to one end: namely, that our works are vain before God, when they come not from a pure conscience: and that we have no fear of him at all before our eyes. Now they are wont to set forth the fear of God, one while by the calling upon his name; another while by the observation of the Sabbath; and sometimes by other works. But in regard that a man best knows the certain difference which is between the true service of God and hypocrisy, by works of charity; the Prophet keeps a very direct course in mentioning of them. For hypocrites are very diligent in outward services and ceremonies: and yet are full of envy within. They burst with pride and contempt of their brethren; they burn with avarice and ambition: neither can they easily be unmasked whilst they cover themselves under the performance of outward ceremonies. Such then must be examined by this rule, even as by a touchstone, and thereby be tried whether they have the true fear of God in them or not. We may well be deceived indeed if we will judge of the godliness of a man by the second Table only: but if any man shall exercise himself in the duties of the commandments of the first Table, which are testimonies of godliness and of the service of God, then must he be brought to this trial: to wit,