Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Besides, he shows that his elect are sufficiently furnished with his word to get the victory; so as they need not be afraid to undertake the combat against all unbelievers whatsoever. And truly he that hath profited in the heavenly doctrine as he ought, shall easily confound all the impostures of Satan, by a constant and victorious faith. I grant our faith begins at obedience, but the teachableness by which we submit all our senses to Gods worship, goes so before the understanding, that from thence our minds are illuminated with sound knowledge.

Besides, he shewes that his elect are sufficiently furnished with his word to get the victorie; so as they need not be afraid to vndertake the combate against all vnbeleeuers whatsoeuer. And truly he that hath profited in the heauenly doctrine as hee ought, shall easilie confound all the impostures of Satan, by a constant and victorious faith. I grant our faith begins at obedience, but the teachablenesse by which wee submit all our senses to Gods worship, goes so before the vnderstanding, that from thence our minds are illuminated with sound knowledge.

By this mark we may discern superstition from that true religion,¹ which is directed by a rule that is neither doubtful nor deceivable. The idolaters vaunt themselves but too much in their errors, yet all their pride proceeds from folly, sottishness, and frenzy. For if they would consider of the heavenly doctrine, with calm and quiet minds, all this overweening by which they darken the light of truth, would forthwith fall to ⟨p. 428⟩the ground. But the faithful have another respect, whose faith albeit it be founded upon humility, yet it is not carried away with a foolish or inconsiderate zeal, because it hath the spirit of God for the conductor and leader thereof, that so she may never turn aside from the certain light of Gods word. Therefore where the right rule of discerning things is absent,²