Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 5. The people shall be oppressed one of another, & every one by his neighbour: the children shall presume against the ancient, and the vile against the honourable.

Vers. 5. The people shall bee oppressed one of another, & euery one by his neighbour: the children shall presume against the auncient, and the vile against the honorable.

HE here describes an exceeding great perturbation which approached to fall upon ⟨p. 38⟩the Jews; all good order being broken and fallen to the ground, as it happens to all people as soon as good government is overthrown. §1We know how great the shameless malice of mans mind is where ambition carries every one away thereunto. Lastly, how furious the lusts of the flesh are, where there is no bridle to restrain them. And therefore it is no marvel if one do proudly lift up himself against another, that cruelty hath the swing there; and that every one takes liberty to commit all manner of outrage, when Justice is overthrown, and laid in the dust. If we wisely consider this, we shall esteem more highly of the blessings which God bestows upon us, when he maintains us in a tolerable and good estate, and suffers us not to be miserably wasted and scattered. Whence it appears, that those who spend and employ their wits to overthrow politic governments, are the open enemies of mankind: yea, they differ nothing at all from brute beasts.

HE here describes an exceeding great perturbation which approched to fall vpon ⟨p. 38⟩the Iewes; all good order being broken and fallen to the ground, as it happens to all people as soone as good gouernment is ouerthrowne. §1We know how great the shameles malice of mans minde is where ambition carries euery one away thereunto. Lastly, how furious the lusts of the flesh are, where there is no bridle to restraine them. And therefore it is no maruaile if one doe proudly lift vp himselfe against another, that crueltie hath the swinge there; and that euerie one takes libertie to commit all manner of outrage, when Iustice is ouerthrowne, and laid in the dust. If we wisely consider this, we shall esteeme more highly of the blessings which God bestowes vpon vs, when he maintaines vs in a tolerable and good estate, and suffers vs not to bee miserablie wasted and scattered. Whence it appeares, that those who spend and imploy their wits to ouerthrow politicke gouernments, are the open enemies of mankind: yea, they differ nothing at all from brute beasts.