Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Lebanon: that is to say; if we should offer a burnt offering unto God, according as he deserves; neither Lebanon nor all the beasts that feed in it, would suffice for the sacrifice. He repeats & imprints in their minds this power of God still after divers manners, that the people who were to trust in it, should not respect creatures, nor any thing they were able to do with all their forces. Notwithstanding it seems the Prophet speaks expressly of Gods worship, that he might bring the readers to have it in the greater reverence: as if he should say; Darest thou measure the power of God within the narrow scantling of thy reason? Why thou canst not serve him as thou oughtest, though thou shouldst lay all the wood and beasts of Lebanon at once upon his altar. Some gather hence that none can procure Gods favour by offering sacrifices: which is very true; but we must have an eye to the Prophets meaning, as I have already said; who to hearten on the Jews, to the greater confidence, shows that all things are nothing, being compared with God.

LEbanon: that is to say; if we should offer a burnt offering vnto God, according as hee deserues; neither Lebanon nor all the beasts that feed in it, would suffice for the sacrifice. He repeats & imprints in their minds this power of God stil after diuers maners, that the people who were to trust in it, should not respect creatures, nor any thing they were able to doe with all their forces. Notwithstanding it seemes the Prophet speakes expresly of Gods worship, that he might bring the readers to haue it in the greater reuerence: as if hee should say; Darest thou measure the power of God vvithin the narrow scantling of thy reason? Why thou canst not serue him as thou oughtest, though thou shouldst lay all the vvood and beasts of Lebanon at once vpon his altar. Some gather hence that none can procure Gods fauour by offering sacrifices: which is very true; but we must haue an eye to the Prophets meaning, as I haue alreadie said; who to hearten on the Iewes, to the greater confidence, shewes that all things are nothing, being compared with God.