Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now it is not to be doubted but this astonishment of the Prophet was joined with great sorrow. For it ought to make our hair to stand an end, to see men revolt and slide back from God; and forsake the faith and allegiance which once they promised him. Neither can it be but men of any good heart, will be deeply touched with extreme sorrow at the beholding of such a woeful spectacle. We read, Luk. 15.10. how the Angels rejoice at the conversion of a sinner, and therefore they are much grieved at the perdition of any one of them. But how much more heavy and sorrowful are they when they behold the ruin and destruction of a whole city and Church?

Now it is not to be doubted but this astonishment of the Prophet was ioyned with great sorrow. For it ought to make our haire to stand an end, to see men reuolt and slide backe from God; and forsake the faith and allegeance which once they promised him. Neither can it be but men of any good heart, will be deeply touched with extreame sorrow at ye beholding of such a wofull spectacle. We reade, Luk. 15.10. how the Angels reioyce at the conuersion of a sinner, and therefore they are much grieued at the perdition of any one of them. But how much more heauie and sorrowfull are they when they behold the ruine and destruction of a whole citie and Church?

Now this admiration carries with it a complaint: as if the Prophet should have said to Jerusalem; From what an excellent and flourishing estate art thou fallen? into what misery hast thou plunged thy self? What shame and dishonour hast thou laid thy self open unto? For in making mention of her former estate, in which she had flourished and had been honourably accounted of, he thereby provokes her to be so much the more moved; so as she who in times past had been an honest mother of a family, should have much more care of her honour and reputation, then such a one as hath passed her whole life in all kind of wicked and lewd behaviour.

Now this admiration carries with it a complaint: as if the Prophet should haue said to Ierusalem; From what an excellent and flourishing estate art thou fallen? into what miserie hast thou plunged thy selfe? What shame and dishonour hast thou laid thy selfe open vnto? For in making mention of her former estate, in which shee had flourished and had been honourablie accounted of, hee thereby prouokes her to bee so much the more moued; so as she who in times past had been an honest mother of a family, should haue much more care of her honour and reputation, then such a one as hath passed her whole life in all kind of wicked and leude behauiour.