Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹IF any had rather retain that which I was saying; to wit, that such as are far from justice, and uncapable of Gods grace, are here called to repentance, the sense will be all one: but if we say that the Jews were far from justice, in regard they were given up to a dissolute behaviour as men past grace, then there is an apt opposition between the justice of God, and the justice of men. Although the Jews then were far from justice, and had cast off all study of piety; yet God affirms, that his justice is near. As if he should say; I must confess incredulity is a main let and hinderance, yet shall it not hinder me in the end from manifesting the force of my truth. What though some did not believe, saith Paul? shall their unbelief make the truth of God without effect? God forbid. Rom. 3.3. Yea, let God be true, and every man a liar. And to say the truth, if he did not overcome mens stubbornness by his goodness, we should incontinently perish. For which of us receives the bounty of God, or his grace when he offers the same, as we ought?² Doth he withdraw his mercy or his truth from us? It is for no other cause, but for that we be far from justice. Contrariwise, though we resist him, yet he draws near unto us, that he may manifest his justice, albeit we be utterly unworthy of it. Yet he doth this in such wise, as the wicked receive no fruit at all by it. For the Prophet comprehends not those cursed apostates, as if this salvation promised belonged unto them; but only affirms, that God hath means ready to make his justice appear.

¹IF any had rather retaine that which I was saying; to wit, that such as are farre from iustice, and vncapeable of Gods grace, are here called to repentance, the sense will bee all one: but if wee say that the Iewes were farre from iustice, in regard they were giuen vp to a dissolute behauiour as men past grace, then there is an apt opposition betweene the iustice of God, and the iustice of men. Although the Iewes then were farre from iustice, and had cast off all studie of pietie; yet God affirmes, that his iustice is neere. As if he should say; I must confesse incredulitie is a maine let and hinderance, yet shall it not hinder me in the end from manifesting the force of my truth. What though some did not beleeue, saith Paul? shall their vnbeliefe make the truth of God without effect? God forbid.