Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 20. But if ye refuse and be rebellious, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Vers. 20. But if yee refuse and be rebellious, yee shall be deuoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

The wicked always think the punishments which they suffer are far greater then their fault, although God deal mercifully and favourably with them. And howsoever they dare not wholly justify themselves; yet notwithstanding they cease not (as we have said heretofore) to accuse him of too great severity. But the Prophet shows how there shall be no end of their plagues which they often suffer, till they be wholly consumed: as also that there are yet more heavy chastisements prepared for them of God, that they should not imagine to escape with those light fillips wherewith they were hitherto smitten. The Papists wrest this place to establish their free will. And thus they reason: If men be happy when they will obey God, then it follows that it is in their own power to will. Behold a childish argument. For the Lord by the mouth of his Prophet disputes not what or how great our power of will is to good or evil: but admonisheth, that it is by our own default that we enjoy not the abundance of all good things: and further that the necessities wherewith we be pinched, are the just rewards of our disobedience and rebellion. Now there is great odds betwixt demanding, whether a man be able to make his will which is evil, good; and, whether by his wicked will (which is his own by nature) he draws upon himself all the plagues which he endureth. These subtle and crafty doctors therefore do unjustly and falsely ground their doctrine of free choice of good and evil upon this place.

TThe wicked alwaies thinke the punishments which they suffer are farre greater then their fault, although God deale mercifully and fauourably with them. And howsoeuer they dare not wholly iustifie themselues; yet notwithstanding they cease not (as we haue said heretofore) to accuse him of too great seueritie. But the Prophet shewes how there shall bee no end of their plagues which they often suffer, till they bee wholly consumed: as also that there are yet more heauie chastisements prepared for them of God, that they should not imagine to escape with those light fillips wherewith they were hitherto smitten. The Papists wrest this place to establish their free will. And thus they reason: If men be happie when they will obey God, then it followes that it is in their owne power to will. Behold a childish argument. For the Lord by the mouth of his Prophet disputes not what or how great our power of will is to good or euill: but admonisheth, that it is by our owne default that we enioy not the abundance of all good things: and further that the necessities wherewith wee bee pinched, are the iust rewards of our disobedience and rebellion. Now there is great ods betwixt demanding, whether a man bee able to make his will which is euill, good; and, whether by his wicked will (which is his owne by nature) hee drawes vpon himselfe all the plagues which he endureth. These subtile and craftie doctors therfore do vniustly and falselie ground their doctrine of free choice of good and euill vpon this place.