Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he repeats one and the same thing by three phrases of speech: first, that they covered §1their counsels from God: secondly, that they §2asked not counsel at his mouth: and thirdly, that §3they would not be governed by his Spirit. For those that are carried away with a conceit of their own wit, do willingly give themselves to cunning devices, whereby they may cover their infidelity and rebellion: and for as much as it was not their meaning to obey Gods word, therefore they never craved the direction of his Spirit. Thence comes that sorrowful and woeful event: for it cannot be avoided, but those counsels and determinations which the Lord governs not, must come to a miserable and fatal end.¹ What wisdom is there but that which proceeds out of his mouth? Let us seek unto it then; that is to say, let us ask counsel of his word: so shall we also have the direction and government of his Spirit, from whence proceeds all wisdom and counsel.

Now hee repeates one and the same thing by three phrases of speech: first, that they couered §1their counsels from God: secondly, that they §2asked not counsell at his mouth: and thirdly, that §3they would not be gouerned by his Spirit. For those that are caried away with a conceit of their owne wit, doe willingly giue themselues to cunning deuices, whereby they may couer their infidelitie and rebellion: and for as much as it was not their meaning to obey Gods word, therefore they neuer craued the direction of his Spirit. Thence comes that sorrowfull and wofull euent: for it cannot be auoided, but those counsels and determinations which the Lord gouernes not, must come to a miserable and fatall end.¹ What wisdome is there but that which proceedes out of his mouth? Let vs seeke vnto it then; that is to say, let vs aske counsell of his word: so shall wee also haue the direction and gouernement of his Spirit, from whence proceedes all wisdome and counsell.