Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

First, he asks in general, if they knew nothing. Secondly, he propounds the means by which they ought to discern the true God from the false. The first is from hearing the §1word; and therefore he saith expressly, Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? The last is from this fair theatre of the world, where Gods glory shines round about §2and beneath us. He would have contented himself with this second demonstration, if he had had to deal with the profane Gentiles; as Saint Paul also doth Act. 14.17. For speaking to them of Iconia, who had never heard word of the heavenly doctrine, he useth arguments taken from the order of nature. How? That God left not himself without witness, by giving rain and fruitful seasons. But our Prophet, who speaks of that true religion which was among the Jews, could not omit the mentioning of the law, which was to make them double inexcusable, if they should forsake or despise it, to profane themselves among infidels. For they were convinced not only by the sight of their eyes, but also by the hearing of their ears: which were continually beaten upon by God, in the preaching of his law amongst them. Seeing then that from their mothers breasts they had (with their mothers milk) been nursed up with the milk of the true knowledge of God, and were instructed by their fathers, by continual succession, the Prophet tells them that they shall show themselves too perverse and unthankful, if such an help shall nothing profit them.

First, he askes in generall, if they knew nothing. Secondly, he propounds the meanes by which they ought to discerne the true God from the false. The first is from hearing the §1word; and therefore he saith expresly, Haue ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? The last is from this faire theater of the vvorld, where Gods glory shines round about §2and beneath vs. He would haue contented himselfe with this second demonstration, if he had had to deale with the profane Gentiles; as Saint Paul also doth Act. 14.17. For speaking to them of Iconia, who had neuer heard word of the heauenly doctrine, he vseth arguments taken from the order of nature. How? That God left not himselfe vvithout vvitnesse, by giuing raine and fruitfull seasons. But our Prophet, who speakes of that true religion which was among the Iewes, could not omit the mentioning of the law, which was to make them double inexcusable, if they should forsake or despise it, to prophane themselues among infidels. For they were conuinced not onely by the sight of their eies, but also by the hearing of their eares: which were continually beaten vpon by God, in the preaching of his law amongst them. Seeing then that from their mothers breasts they had (with their mothers milke) been nurced vp with the milke of the true knowledge of God, and were instructed by their fathers, by continuall succession, the Prophet telles them that they shall shew themselues too peruerse and vnthankfull, if such an helpe shall nothing profit them.