Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹HE sharply rebukes the Jews again, who would neither give credence unto God, nor receive any consolations at all in their adversities. This was a galling reprehension, which no doubt went very near the quick: but they well deserved it, in regard neither threatening, nor promise of God, were it never so sweet and amiable, was available to tame them. These two epithets which he here useth, are to be noted: whereby he gives us to understand, that the afflicted and miserable, shut up the passage of Gods help from them by their own rebellion. For by their murmurings and grudgings, they shake off the fear of God, and in thus doing, rush themselves headlong into such desperate courses, that they make open war upon him. Now he speaks to the Jews, who were ready to burst with malice and pride: notwithstanding afflictions oppressed them to the utmost. And thus having shaken off the fear of God, they fell into open raging, which [I would to God] many among us were not guilty of, who wax worse by their calamities. Thus then they would accept of no remedy nor medicine at all to cure their evils. If any would have the word justice to be taken here for Gods succour, as in the verse following; I leave it free for them so to do: for it is no strange thing to see the obstinate, who repel God, and reject his grace, to be unable to rest upon his sweet promises, or not to suffer that any should do them good, albeit help be offered them.

¹HE sharply rebukes the Iewes againe, who would neither giue credence vnto God, nor receiue any consolations at all in their aduersities. This was a galling reprehension, which no doubt went very neere the quicke: but they well deserued it, in regard neither threatning, nor promise of God, were it neuer so sweete and amiable, was auaileable to tame them. These two epithetes which he heere vseth, are to be noted: whereby hee giues vs to vnderstand, that the afflicted and miserable, shut vp the passage of Gods helpe from them by their owne rebellion. For by their murmurings and grudgings, they shake off the feare of God, and in thus doing, rush themselues headlong into such desperate courses, that they make open war vpon him. Now he speakes to the Iewes, who were readie to burst with malice and pride: notwithstanding afflictions oppressed them to the vtmost. And thus hauing shaken off the feare of God, they fell into opē raging, which [I would to God] many among vs were not guiltie of, who wax worse by their calamities. Thus then they would accept of no remedie nor medicine at al to cure their euils. If any would haue the word iustice to bee taken heere for Gods succor, as in the verse following; I leaue it free for them so to doe: for it is no strange thing to see the obstinate, who repell God, and reiect his grace, to bee vnable to rest vpon his sweete promises, or not to suffer that any should doe them good, albeit helpe bee offered them.