Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 22. He sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers: he stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.

Vers. 22. Hee sitteth vpon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grashoppers: hee stretcheth out the heauens as a curtaine, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.

¹He continues on his former argument, but after another manner; and sets out the magnificence and power of God. We have told you heretofore why he speaks thus; to wit, because we are too much inclined to distrust: so as the least occasion in the world will make us stumble and be offended. For which respect,² the Prophet is constrained to repeat one thing often, that he might keep in firm and weak hearts in the confidence of Gods promises. Before, he handled the doctrine of the creation of the world, but now he comes to the perpetual government of it: for God contented not himself to manifest his power once only in the creation of the world, but continues still to show it with as great efficacy in the upholding and conservation of his work. This is well to be observed of us; for otherwise it were but a bare speculation to know that God did once create the world, unless we also knew that his hand were always stretched out to maintain and govern the same in the first estate. Which the Prophet expresseth in this word sitteth: as if he should s•y; The earth continues not stable and firm in her place, but as it is stayed & upheld by the power of God: for sitting, by a figure, signifies as much as rule or government.

¹HEe continues on his former argument, but after another manner; and sets out the magnificence and power of God. Wee haue told you heretofore why hee speakes thus; to wit, because we are too much inclined to distrust: so as the least occasion in the world will make vs stumble and be offended. For which respect,