Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now in regard it was a thing incredible or rather monstrous, that amongst the holy and elect people there was not a man to be found that would oppose himself against injustice, he brings in God as one astonied at so rare a matter, that by means hereof they might be brought at last to wonder and blush at their own hypocrisy. For might they not worthily be taxed of detestable obstinacy if they would not blush at that which drave the Lord into this admiration, and that by reason of their stubbornness? And therewithal he taxeth their hypocrisy, in that they made show of having piety and holiness in great estimation, and yet when God came to make a diligent search, there was not a just man to be found amongst them.

Now in regard it was a thing incredible or rather monstrous, that amongst the holy and elect people there was not a man to be found that would oppose himselfe against iniustice, he brings in God as one astonied at so rare a matter, that by meanes hereof they might be brought at last to wonder and blush at their owne hypocrisie. For might they not worthily be taxed of detestable obstinacie if they would not blush at that which d•aue the Lord into this admiration, and that by reason of their stubbornnes? And therewithal he taxeth their hypocrisie, in that they made shew of hauing pietie and holines in great estimation, and yet when God came to make a diligent search, there was not a iust man to be found amongst them.

Moreover, by this text he magnifies and extols the greatness of Gods mercy, in that he vouchsafes to pull out a people as out of the bottom of hell, that were in such a pitiful plight. For no doubt but the Jews by these words were admonished by what means they were to expect their deliverance, namely, even because the Lord was willing by a miracle to save this forlorn people. Now this word to wonder, sets forth Gods fatherly care. Sure it is that there are no such affections in God, namely,¹ that he should be astonied at new and unwonted accidents, as if they were strange to him. But herein he rather applies himself to our capacities, that being touched to the quick with the sense of our miseries, we might be brought to abhor our woeful condition.