Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But we are to note that the word and the Spirit are matched together: which crosseth those fantastical spirits, who leave the word forsooth, to aspire to Oracles and secret revelations. And thus they would come unto God, but they will not keep the Kings high way, as they say; nay, rather despising it. What do they else then, but strive to fly without wings, as the proverb¹ is? Let us therefore hold us fast to this principle,² that whatsoever we consult or enterprise in the whole course of our life, without warrant from Gods word, will in the end deceive us, because we begin at the wrong end; for that only ought to be our guide. And surely if we do but well bethink us of our own ignorance, or rather our great brutishness, we may easily be brought to confess that our madness is worthy to be condemned; to wit, if we shall think our selves so wise as not to vouchsafe to inquire at Gods mouth.

But wee are to note that the word and the Spirit are matched together: which crosseth those fantasticall spirits, who leaue the word forsooth, to aspire to Oracles and secret reuelations. And thus they would come vnto God, but they will not keepe the Kings high way, as they say; nay, rather despising it. What doe they else then, but striue to flie without wings, as the prouerb¹ is? Let vs therefore hold vs fast to this principle,² that whatsoeuer we consult or enterprise in the whole course of our life, without warrant from Gods word, will in the end deceiue vs, because we begin at the wrong end; for that onely ought to be our guide. And surely if we doe but well bethinke vs of our owne ignorance, or rather our great brutishnesse, wee may easilie bee brought to confesse that our madnes is worthy to be condemned; to wit, if we shal thinke our selues so wise as not to vouchsafe to inquire at Gods mouth.

1. 1Proverb.Prouerbe.
2. 2