Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he adds the cause why the people were destinated to this destruction,¹ namely, in regard they were governed by wicked Princes and Pastors. Not that the fault rested wholly in them, and that the people were innocent; but because their sin was the beginning of this mischief. For if we follow blind guides, that shall not excuse us; but we rather worthily bear the punishment of our own iniquities, in regard the Lord takes away good Governors from such as he means to chastise for their unthankfulness.

NOw he addes the cause why the people were destinated to this destruction,¹ namely, in regard they were gouerned by wicked Princes and Pastors. Not that the fault rested whollie in them, and that the people were innocent; but because their sinne was the beginning of this mischiefe. For if we follow blind guides, that shall not excuse vs; but we rather worthily beare the punishment of our owne iniquities, in regard the Lord takes away good Gouernors frō such as he meanes to chastise for their vnthankfulnes.

1. 1The cause of the peoples destruction.

By the word watchmen, he not only understands the Prophets which had the gift or §1charge of teaching, but the Judges, Governors, §2& Kings, whose duty it is to administer all things with equity and uprightness. And thus he comprehends two sorts of governors,¹ namely, both Civill, and Ecclesiastical, whom the Lord had established as the two eyes in the body for the well ordering of the Church. If they be wicked or faithless, there can not a more dangerous plague happen to the Common-wealth.