Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The Prophet useth a preface, as if he meant to speak of a thing of great importance: for we are not wont to call for audience, or to will the hearers to give their attention, unless some matter of good consequence is to be propounded. And yet it seems Isaiah speaks here of common things, as of •illing, sowing, threshing, and such like. But the Prophet meant by this to raise the minds of his auditors above these earthly matters: for speaking of Gods judgements, and showing how great his wisdom is by which he governs the world, albeit the wicked sort think that all things go upon wheels at a venture, his desire was to teach and express an high mystery by familiar similitudes,¹ such as were well enough known to all.

THe Prophet vseth a preface, as if hee meant to speake of a thing of great importance: for we are not wont to call for audience, or to will the hearers to giue their attention, vnlesse some matter of good consequence is to be propounded. And yet it seems Isaiah speakes here of common things, as of •illing, sowing, threshing, and such like. But the Prophet meant by this to raise the mindes of his auditors aboue these earthly matters: for speaking of Gods iudgements, and shewing how great his wisdome is by which hee gouernes the world, albeit the wicked sort thinke that all things goe vpon wheeles at a venture, his desire was to teach and expresse an high mysterie by familiar similitudes,