A17640:2708
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.
The liberty which Isaiah took might have seemed somewhat too harsh and cumbersome in the eyes of a King: but taking him (as he was indeed) for the servant of God, he suffers himself to be censured of him. Which being so, their niceness is insupportable, who can bear no admonitions nor reprehensions at all, but in disdain, object against the Pastors and Ministers of the word: Are you not men as well as we? As if forsooth God were not to be obeyed, unless he should send an Angel to admonish them: or, unless himself should speak unto them from heaven. Hence also we may learn, what to think of such fantastical spirits, who seeming to reverence God, do notwithstanding wilfully reject the doctrine of the holy Prophets.
The libertie which Isaiah tooke might haue seemed somewhat too harsh and combersome in the eies of a King: but taking him (as he was indeede) for the seruant of God, he suffers himselfe to bee censured of him. Which being so, their nicenesse is insupportable, who can beare no admonitions nor reprehensions at all, but in disdaine, obiect against the Pastors and Ministers of the word: Are you not men as well as wee? As if forsooth God were not to be obeied, vnlesse he should send an Angell to admonish them: or, vnlesse himselfe should speake vnto them from heauen. Hence also we may learne, what to thinke of such fantasticall spirits, who seeming to reuerence God, doe notwithstanding wilfully reiect the doctrine of the holy Prophets.
But if they were so ready to obey God, then would they give as much audience to him in the person of his servants, as to himself if he should thunder from heaven. I confess we must distinguish the true Prophets from the false, and the voice of the Pastor from the stranger: but we must not reject all, hand over head,1 unless we mean therewithal to reject God himself. Yea, they must be heard of us, not only when they exhort and reprove, but also when they condemn and threaten us (in the name of God) to be punished for our sins.
But if they were so readie to obey God, then would they giue as much audience to him in the person of his seruants, as to himselfe if hee should thunder from heauen. I confesse wee must distinguish the true Prophets from the false, and the voice of the Pastor from the stranger: but we must not reiect all, hand ouer head,