A17640:2343
Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah
A commentary upon the prophecy of Isaiah. By Mr. John Calvin. Whereunto are added four tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Vers. 11. But the pelican and the hedgehog shall possess it, and the great owl and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of vanity, and the stones of emptiness.
Vers. 11. But the pellican and the hedgehog shall possesse it, and the great owle and the rauen shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out vpon it the line of vanity, and the stones of emptinesse.
AS touching these creatures which Isaiah here mentions, there are divers opinions: neither are the Hebrew expositors themselves well resolved touching the same: yet we may perceive the Prophets drift well enough; to wit, that he sets out the face of a Country laid waste & desolate. For doubtless he speaks of hideous monsters in nature, which come not among men, neither are they acquainted with them. And this he doth the rather to describe the horror of this destruction. The first member of the verse then is clear enough of it self: but there is some difficulty in the second. Some expound these words, lines of vanity, by an* antiphrase, and understand it of the Jews: but I rather think it should be referred to the Idumeans, as the former words are. And to the end we may the better know that this is the Prophets true meaning, the same words are found in the first Chapter of Malachi, verse, 4, 5. who came long after our Prophet: in which place, he confirms that which Isaiah here denounceth. Though Edom say, we are impoverished, but we will return & build the desolate places; yet saith the Lord of hosts, they shall build, but I will destroy it; and they shall call them, the border of wickedness, and the people with whom the Lord is angry for ever. And your eyes shall see it, and ye shall say, The Lord will be magnified upon the borders of Israel. Malachi then plainly expounds that which Isaiah spake somewhat darkly in his time: Isaiah saith, the Idumeans shall build in vain: the other, that they shall spread the lines of vanity: for it is all one in effect as if he had said, that the master-workmen (as Masons and Carpenters) shall but lose their labour in going about to build the Cities again: for men of such craft, use small lines and plummets to measure their works by. Those then that should take in hand the restoration of Edom, should bestow cost in vain: for they shall be so confounded, that they shall not know at what end to begin, nor where to make an end. And albeit God useth to mitigate the miseries which he sends upon others, by some consolation in the end, yet they must look for none at all.