A17640:1679
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.
The word Nephesh, is often taken for the vital spirit: but because the Prophet useth two sundry words here, I so distinguish them,1 as that the soul shall signify the desire and the will; and the spirit, the intellective part. For we know that the understanding & will, are the two principal parts of mans soul: and God will have both of them; as good reason is he should. And hereunto appertains that Commandment, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength: Matth. 22.37. The Prophet teacheth then, that all the faculties of his soul were bent, and led him to seek and desire the Lord.
The word Nephesh, is often taken for the vitall spirit: but because the Prophet vseth two sundry words here, I so distinguish them,1 as that the soule shall signifie the desire and the will; and the spirit, the intellectiue part. For we know that the vnderstanding & will, are the two principall parts of mans soule: and God will haue both of them; as good reason is he should. And hereunto appertaines that Commandement, Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soule, and with all thy strength: Matth. 22.37. The Prophet teacheth then, that all the faculties of his soule were bent, and led him to seeke and desire the Lord.
- 1How soul and spirit is taken here. The understanding and will, two principal parts of mans soul.How soule and spirit is taken here. The vnderstanding and will, two principall parts of mans soule.
Others take this word spirit, for the regenerate part: and thus by the soul, they understand the natural man; and by the spirit, the grace of God, which is supernatural. But this cannot stand: for the natural man never seeks unto God; yea, and we know by experience what strife we have in our selves when we aspire unto God; as also with what great difficulty we wind our selves out of this repugnancy. This interpretation then needs no long refutation, seeing it manifestly crosseth the very text of holy Scripture. Moreover, it sufficiently appears by many places, that these words, Spirit and Soul, import as much as understanding and heart.