Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

When a wall falls down, yet there remains some remnants of the ruins thereof; and besides, the stones will serve for some good uses; yea, that which is fallen may be reedified. But our Prophet prophecieth here, that those which shall behave themselves thus rebelliously and proudly against God, shall perish in such sort, that they shall never be healed; so that the remainder shall be utterly unprofitable. He therefore useth a similitude taken from an earthen vessel, whose broken pieces can neither be made up, nor gathered together again. Which threatenings ⟨p. 303⟩ought greatly to move us to embrace the word of God with all reverence, when we hear that so horrible punishments are prepared for those which despise the same: for the Prophet shows that they shall be wholly destroyed and utterly confounded, and takes away all hope of their restoration. And good reason: For we see how the contemners of God cease not daily to set up their Crests, notwithstanding they have had the foil three or four times: Why so? Because nothing is more difficult then to pluck from out of their hearts that false confidence which was fast rooted therein.

WHen a wall falles downe, yet there remaines some remnants of the ruines thereof; and besides, the stones will serue for some good vses; yea, that which is fallen may be reedified. But our Prophet prophecieth here, that those which shall behaue themselues thus rebelliously and proudly against God, shall perish in such sort, that they shall neuer be healed; so that the remainder shall be vtterly vnprofitable. He therefore vseth a similitude taken from an earthen vessel, whose broken peeces can neither be made vp, nor gathered together againe. Which threatnings