A17640:1775
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 Hebrew particle is often disjunctive; and therefore this place is expounded as if it had been said; Either let her feel my strength, or let her make peace with me: that is to say, if she make not peace with me, then shall she feel my strength, to her great loss. Others expound it a little otherwise; Who will feel my strength? that is to say, who will repress it? But I leave this interpretation, because it seems too much constrained; contenting my self with that which is most received. The expositors think then that God threatens the Jews, as one that assays all means to bring them home into the right way: for God must work upon us many ways, in respect we are so accustomed to abuse his patience and goodness. And therefore he often testifies, that he will bring upon us the punishment of our ingratitude; which it seems Isaiah doth in this place: as if he should say; If this people will not accept of my kindness, and repent, and so make peace with me, I assure them they shall feel the weight of my hand, which hitherunto I have withholden from them. There may another apt sense be also gathered hence, and yet somewhat differing from this. As if the Lord should exhort the people to acknowledge his power, by which they might be brought to seek peace with him: for whence proceeds that brutish confidence, that we fear not the anger of God, but because we reverence not his power as we ought to do?
THe Hebrew particle is often disiunctiue; and therefore this place is expounded as if it had been said; Either let her feele my strength, or let her make peace with me: that is to say, if she make not peace with me, then shall she feele my strength, to her great losse. Others expound it a little otherwise; Who will feele my strength? that is to say, who will represse it? But I leaue this interpretation, because it seemes too much constrained; contenting my selfe with that which is most receiued. The expositours thinke then that God threatens the Iewes, as one that assaies all meanes to bring them home into the right way: for God must worke vpon vs many waies, in respect wee are so accustomed to abuse his patience and goodnesse. And therefore he often tertifies, that hee will bring vpon vs the punishment of our ingratitude; which it seemes Isaiah doth in this place: as if he should say; If this people will not accept of my kindnesse, and repent, and so make peace with mee, I assure them they shall feele the waight of my hand, which hitherunto I haue withholden from them. There may another apt sense be also gathered hence, and yet somewhat differing from this. As if the Lord should exhort the people to acknowledge his power, by which they might be brought to seeke peace with him: for whence proceedes that brutish confidence, that wee feare not the anger of God, but because we reuerence not his power as we ought to doe?