Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

These great wits also, w••o (as they think) know somewhat, deride our diligence; in regard we are so earnestly busied in restoring the Church to her first estate: as if in the same any certain or settled estate were to be expected. For these (forsooth) imagine that they are so well founded, and on all sides so furnished, that it is no less easy to abolish popery, then to mingle heaven and earth together. But the conceit of these wise men differs somewhat. For in regard the perversity of the world is so great, that it cannot be held in awe, they think we travel in vain, and against the stream to seek in correcting vices, to have a pure and sincere administration of a Church. The flout of Erasmus is well enough known; What hopes Capito of the tenth which shall come after him? It cannot be denied but Wolfangus Capito was an holy man, who with a most sincere affection endeavoured to purge the Church. But because he was persuaded that the Ministers of Christ should no less lose their labour in correcting the stubbornness of the world, then if they should have taken upon them to have forced the stream the contrary way (for thus they are wont to think who talk of things in the shade) he taxeth us all of inconsiderate zeal in the person of one. But both the one and the other are much deceived, in that they consider not, that we so employ our selves in the Lords service, as he hath commanded, that in the mean while the restoration of the Church is merely the work of his own hands. Neither is it without cause that the whole Scripture commonly testifies, and that our Prophet again and again so carefully repeats it. Wherefore being mindful of this doctrine, let us no way be discouraged from undertaking under Go•• guidance, a business which far surmounts our own abilities; that so no encumbrances may either break off our purpose, or so weaken us, that we should d•••st from our enterprise.

These great wits also, w••o (as they thinke) know somewhat, deride our diligence; in regard we are so earnestly busied in restoring the Church to her first estate: as if in the same any certaine or setled estate were to be expected. For these (forsooth) imagine that they are so well founded, and on all sides so furnished, that it is no lesse easie to abolish poperie, then to mingle heauen and earth together. But the conceit of these wise men differs somewhat. For in regard the peruersitie of the world is so great, that it cannot be held in awe, they thinke we trauel in vaine, and against the streame to seeke in correcting vices, to haue a pure and sincere administration of a Church. The flout of Erasmus is well enough knowne; What hopes Capito of the tenth which shall come after him? It cannot be denied but Wolfangus Capito was an holy man, who with a most sincere affection endeuoured to purge the Church. But because he was perswaded that the Ministers of Christ should no lesse lose their labour in correcting the stubbornenesse of the world, then if they should haue taken vpon them to haue forced the streame the contrarie way (for thus they are wont to thinke who talke of things in the shade) he taxeth vs all of inconsiderate zeale in the person of one. But both the one and the other are much deceiued, in that they consider not, that wee so imploy our selues in the Lords seruice, as he hath commanded, that in the meane while the restauration of the Church is meerely the worke of his owne hands. Neither is it without cause that the whole Scripture commonly testifies, and that our Prophet againe and againe so carefully repeates it. Wherefore being mindfull of this doctrine, let vs no way be discouraged from vndertaking vnder Go guidance, a businesse which farre surmounts our owne abilities; that so no encumbrances may either breake off our purpose, or so weaken vs, that we should dst from our enterprise.