Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

IT seems the Prophet stands too long upon this point, seeing there is none will deny it. For he repeats one thing often, (which none doubts of) but must needs be constrained to confess the admirable power and wisdom of God in the comely order of nature. But we must observe what hath been said heretofore. We in our selves are so untoward, and do value Gods power at so low a rate, that we sometimes afford him not the honour which we will give to a mortal man:¹ yea, the appearance of a silly worm of the earth, puts us sometimes into so great mammering and fear, that all the promises of the Almighty in the holy Bible, can scarcely comfort us. For this cause the Prophet hath just cause to repeat it so often, that God is defrauded of his honour, if his power ravish us not so as to admire it. Thus he makes no idle repetitions you see, because we are so dull and slow of hearing, that we have need to be awakened and pricked at every turning with the spur. Men daily behold the heavens and the stars, but where is he that thinks seriously of the author of these things? We see the shape of man so artificially formed by God, that he was put into this world to behold the heavens, that he might acknowledge the Lord of them: for God hath bowed down the faces of beasts towards the earth, and hath made man to go upright; to stir him up to view the place of his abode. And this was well described by a profane Poet, who saith:

IT seemes the Prophet stands too long vpon this point, seeing there is none will denie it. For he repeats one thing often, (which none doubts of) but must needs be constrained to confesse the admirable power and wisdome of God in the comely order of nature. But wee must obserue what hath been said heretofore. Wee in our selues are so vntoward, and doe value Gods power at so low a rate, that we sometimes afford him not the honour which we will giue to a mortall man:¹ yea, the appearance of a sillie worme of the earth, puts vs sometimes into so great mammering and feare, that all the promises of the Almightie in the holy Bible, can scarsely comfort vs. For this cause the Prophet hath iust cause to repeate it so often, that God is defrauded of his honour, if his power rauish vs not so as to admire it. Thus he makes no idle repetitions you see, because wee are so dull and slow of hearing, that we haue need to bee awakened and pricked at euery turning with the spur. Men daily behold the heauens and the starres, but where is hee that thinks seriously of the author of these things? Wee see the shape of man so artificially formed by God, that he was put into this world to behold the heauens, that hee might acknowledge the Lord of them: for God hath bowed downe the faces of beasts towards the earth, and hath made man to goe vpright; to stirre him vp to view the place of his abode. And this was well described by a prophane Poet, who saith: