Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Where he adds, spare not: it is a form of speech much used among the Hebrews; I speak, and will not hold my peace: as we also commonly say; Cry without ceasing. We have told you that the Prophet speaks not here simply of the sound of the voice, ¹but signifies a sharp & biting kind of reprehension, wherewith hypocrites must be galled to the quick: as for example, if the Prophets should only propound the Law of the Lord, and show wherein the rule of a well ordered life consists, should fall into the praise of Gods worship, and without any vehemency reprove iniquities; what would hypocrites have been the better for such a cold manner of preaching? For their consciences are so drowsy, that they cannot be awakened, but with loud and shrill cries. A cold manner of preaching then would do them no good, unless they were sharply pressed and thundered upon with terrible threats.

Where he addes, spare not: it is a forme of speech much vsed among the Hebrewes; I speake, and will not hold my peace: as we also commonly say; Cry without ceasing. We haue told you that the Prophet speakes not heere simply of the sound of the voice, ¹but signifies a sharpe & biting kind of reprehension, wherewith hypocrites must be galled to the quicke: as for example, if the Prophets should onely propound the Law of the Lord, and shew wherein the rule of a well ordered life consists, should fall into the praise of Gods worshippe, and without any vehemencie reprooue iniquities; what would hypocrites haue been the better for such a cold manner of preaching? For their consciences are so drowsie, that they cannot be awakened, but with loud and shrill cries. A cold maner of preaching then would doe them no good, vnlesse they were sharply pressed and thundered vpon with terrible threats.

1. 1Cry sans espargner.Crie sans espargner.