Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹He goes on in describing the duties of love, which he touched in the former verse. For having said in the first place, that §1we must abstain from doing any wrong; §2now he admonisheth us to show our selves liberal and lowly towards the afflicted, and such as stand in need of our help.² For there are two parts of equity and justice. First, that §1we offer no man any wrong: secondly, that §2we employ our riches and goods towards the maintenance of them that are in want and necessity: and these two parts must be joined together. For it is not enough to abstain from violent courses, unless therewithal we show mercy in relieving our poor brethren's wants. Neither is it sufficient to succour one, if you rob from some to bestow upon others; for we must not relieve our neighbours wants by thefts and pillages. And if thou hast committed any injustice, cruelty, or extortion, thou oughtest not to make amends by calling in God to thee, as if thou wouldst make him partner with thee of thy spoils. It is necessary then, you see, that these two parts be joined together, if we would have God to approve and allow of our charity.

¹HEe goes on in describing the duties of loue, which hee touched in the former verse. For hauing said in the first place, that §1wee must abstaine from doing any wrong; §2now he admonisheth vs to shew our selues liberall and lowly towards the afflicted, and such as stand in neede of our helpe.² For there are two parts of equitie and iustice. First, that §1we offer no man any wrong: secondly, that §2we imploy our riches and goods towards the maintenance of them that are in want and necessitie: and these two parts must be ioined together. For it is not enough to abstaine from violent courses, vnlesse therewithall we shew mercy in relieuing our poore brethrens wants. Neither is it sufficient to succour one, if you rob from some to bestow vpon others; for wee must not relieue our neighbours wants by thefts and pillages. And if thou hast committed any iniustice, crueltie, or extortion, thou oughtest not to make amends by calling in God to thee, as if thou wouldst make him partner with thee of thy spoiles. It is necessarie then, you see, that these two parts be ioined together, if we would haue God to approue and allow of our charitie.