A17640:3174
Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah
A commentary upon the prophecy of Isaiah. By Mr. John Calvin. Whereunto are added four tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now the Lord compares himself with Idols, as we have seen before,1 Chap. 40.18.19. His purpose is to deliver the Jews from being discouraged or offended when the victorious Babylonians should proudly triumph over them: for, the reproaches wherewith the wicked loaded them, were exceeding intolerable and fearful, as,2 Where is your God? Why doth he not help you now? Such blasphemies were sufficient to have shaken the hearts of the faithful in sunder, and so far to dismay them, as to drive them into utter despair. The Prophet therefore insists very carefully upon this point, that he might ever be confirming of them against such assaults.
NOw the Lord compares himselfe with Idols, as we haue seene before,1 Chap. 40.18.19. His purpose is to deliuer the Iewes from being discouraged or offended when the victorious Babylonians should proudly triumph ouer them: for, the reproches wherewith the wicked loded them, were exceeding intollerable and fearefull, as,2 Where is your God? Why doth he not help you now? Such blasphemies were sufficient to haue shaken the hearts of the faithfull in sunder, and so farre to dismay them, as to driue them into vtter despaire. The Prophet therefore insists very carefully vpon this point, that he might euer be confirming of them against such assaults.
- 1Another confirmation of the former doctrine.
- 2Wicked blasphemies.
This lamentable desolation into which the people were then fallen, was as a thick cloud which shadowed from them the sight of Gods loving countenance: and the wicked on the other side rejoiced, as if their gods had now obtained the preeminence. But the Prophet intending to scatter the darkness of such mists and clouds of errors, shows, that Gods glory shines as it were in certain and infallible marks of his divinity, which discerns him from Idols. Why so? Because the Lord foretold all things that should come to pass, to the end his people might acknowledge him a just Judge in his chastisements inflicted upon them, and yet might also above hope be assured,