Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

This place is diversly expounded:¹ for some understand it of Balthazar, who (as we see in Daniel) lifted up himself proudly against God, in profaning the holy vessels of the Temple: but this is too constrained an exposition. The second² may seem more probable; to wit, that the Lord gives and grants more to his chosen, then a father will do to his children, or a workman to his work: for those who expound the words thus, think that the Prophet speaks here by way of comparison in this sense: If a son should rise up against his father, and contend with him, should he get any audience? No: for a father will keep and retain his own authority, and in this behalf would justly reject his son. The like would also fall out, if the clay should rise up against the Potter. Yet God permits us to contend with him, and offers himself freely to satisfy any of our demands: and thus they join the tenth and eleventh verse together, thinking that the patience of God appears, in that he deals thus favourably with us, and humbles himself more then mortal men are commonly wont to do towards their children. I grant that this ⟨p. 480⟩exposition hath more colour then the former, but both of them are far wide from the Prophets intention.

THis place is diuersly expounded:¹ for some vnderstand it of Balthazar, who (as we see in Daniel) lifted vp himselfe proudly against God, in prophaning the holie vessels of the Temple: but this is too constrained an exposition. The second² may seeme more probable; to wit, that the Lord giues and grants more to his chosen, then a father will doe to his children, or a workman to his worke: for those who expound the words thus, thinke that the Prophet speakes heere by way of comparison in this sense: If a sonne should rise vp against his father, and contend with him, should he get any audience? No: for a father will keepe and retaine his owne authoritie, and in this behalfe would iustly reiect his sonne. The like would also fall out, if the clay should rise vp against the Potter. Yet God permits vs to contend with him, and offers himselfe freely to satisfie any of our demands: and thus they ioine the tenth and eleuenth verse together, thinking that the patience of God appeares, in that he deales thus fauourably with vs, and humbles himselfe more then mortall men are commonly wont to doe towards their children. I grant that this