Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 6. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to the nippers: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Vers. 6. I gaue my backe to the smiters, and my cheekes to the nippers: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

HE opposeth the invincible force wherewith he is endued, to the reproaches, scorns, and outrages of the wicked: as if he should say; Albeit the contemners of God use many devices, yet will he overcome all their injuries: so as he will never repent himself of that labour which he hath taken in hand. Moreover, this place manifestly shows, that the Ministers of the word cannot faithfully discharge their duties,¹ but they must therewithal prepare to buckle against the world; yea, to sustain sharp assaults on all sides. For Isaiah no sooner affirms that he was ready to obey Gods commandment, but by and by he adds, that his person was exposed to the smiters. Wherefore the faithful servants of God cannot avoid this condition, in preaching the word as they ought; but they must look for stripes, reproaches, hatreds, slanders, and divers assaults of the adversaries, who repine at the liberty which the true Ministers of God must needs use in their reprehensions and admonitions. Let them arm themselves therefore with faith and constancy: for there is a terrible combat prepared for them.

HE opposeth the inuincible force wherewith hee is indued, to the reproches, scornes, and outrages of the wicked: as if he should say; Albeit the contemners of God vse many deuices, yet will he ouercome all their iniuries: so as hee will neuer repent himselfe of that labour which hee hath taken in hand. Moreouer, this place manifestly shewes, that the Ministers of the word cannot faithfullie discharge their duties,¹ but they must therewithall prepare to buckle against the world; yea, to sustaine sharpe assaults on all sides. For Isaiah no sooner affirmes that hee was readie to obey Gods commandement, but by and by he addes, that his person was exposed to the smiters. Wherefore the faithfull seruants of God cannot auoid this condition, in preaching the word as they ought; but they must looke for stripes, reproches, hatreds, slanders, and diuers assaults of the aduersaries, who repine at the libertie which the true Ministers of God must needes vse in their reprehensions and admonitions. Let them arme themselues therefore with faith and constancie: for there is a terrible combat prepared for them.