Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE shows now that the world was too unthankful, who having seen the works of God, did still persevere in that blindness wherewith it was possessed before. In the beginning of the Chapter, he showed that the victory was his, if they would but lend their ears to hear his plea: now he adds, that the Gentiles knew his power well enough, and yet for all that, continued obstinate and rebellious. In which respect, they were left without excuse. Why so? Because the Lord manifested himself so apparently, that they could not choose but see him, unless they would wittingly shut their eyes, lest they should behold him.

HE shewes now that the world was too vnthankfull, who hauing seene the workes of God, did still perseuere in that blindnesse wherewith it was possessed before. In the beginning of the Chapter, hee shewed that the victorie was his, if they would but lend their eares to heare his plea: now he addes, that the Gentiles knew his power well enough, and yet for all that, continued obstinate and rebellious. In which respect, they were left without excuse. Why so? Because the Lord manifested himselfe so apparantly, that they could not chuse but see him, vnlesse they would wittingly shut their eyes, lest they should behold him.

That he might therefore take from the nations furthest off, all pretext of ignorance, he saith, they were abashed at the sight of his works; and yet they fell to their old bias again, and forthwith wrapped themselves in many superstitious vanities and errors. The sum is, that they not only beheld▪ but were also convinced, in that this knowledge abashed them. But some may object, Object. that the benefits which God did to Abraham, could not be made known to all, in such wise that foreign nations should be fully acquainted with it. I answer, Ans. that howsoever he mentions none but Abraham here, yet under him he meant to call to mind other examples of his goodness, which their forefathers had tasted of since, that from both, they might conceive hope of deliverance. Abraham was not only delivered out of Chaldea, but God drew also all his posterity out from the bondage of Egypt: