Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

TO the end the vengeance of God might be the more apparent, he now tells us how woeful and miserable this change should be, to wit, when the faithful & wise governors should be cut off; and that God should put dastards & mecoks in their stead. By Children we must not only understand them that are so in age; but also in understanding, and manners: such as are delicate and effeminate persons, who have no strength in them; neither are able to manage the sword that is put into their hand. He hath not opposed all the members one against an other: he thought it enough to show the mean by which a Common-wealth might soon be brought to ruin; namely, if so be that fools and ignorant ones do bear rule, who are as children, in whom there is no wisdom nor gravity to be found. We may therefore hold it for a sure principle, that he is unfit to govern a Common-wealth, that is not called thereunto of God, nor furnished with singular virtues: which thing Plato also did well perceive; for howsoever he were a profane man,¹ having no true knowledge of God, yet he well discerned that none was capable nor fit to sway public affairs, but he which was endued with divine virtues. And as the administration of Common-wealths is of God only; so also is it necessary that it be upheld by himself in every respect; and there remains no more to those whom the Lord governs not, but that they be like to children, yea that they be twice children, to wit, destitute of all counsel, and wisdom.

TO the end the vengeance of God might be the more apparent, he now tels vs how wofull and miserable this change should be, to wit, when the faithfull & wise gouernours should be cut off; and that God should put dastards & mecoks in their stead. By Children we must not onely vnderstand them that are so in age; but also in vnderstanding, and manners: such as are delicate and effeminate persons, who haue no strength in them; neither are able to manage the sword that is put into their hand. He hath not opposed all the members one against an other: he thought it enough to shew ye meane by which a Common-wealth might soone be brought to ruine; namely, if so be that fooles and ignorant ones do beare rule, who are as children, in whom there is no wisdome nor grauitie to be found. We may therfore hold it for a sure principle, that he is vnfit to gouerne a Common-wealth, that is not called thereunto of God, nor furnished with singular vertues: which thing Plato also did well perceiue; for howsoeuer hee were a prophane man,