Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE notes out one particular, by which he shows how they drew sin unto them as with cart•opes. There is nothing so dangerous as to reject all thought of God his judgment, and not only that, but also to contemn whatsoever he saith as a fable. Isaiah meant therefore to express an extreme contempt, when as men having been forewarned of God his judgements, shall in scorn say, that they would gladly see them, and deride at them, as at some bug-bear, which these words so full of contempt and presumption do evidently show: Let him come: let him hasten.

HE notes out one perticular, by which he shewes how they drew sinne vnto them as with cart•opes. There is nothing so dangerous as to reiect all thought of God his iudgment, and not only that, but also to contemne whatsoeuer he saith as a fable. Isaiah meant therefore to expresse an extreme contempt, when as men hauing been forewarned of God his iudgements, shall in scorne say, that they would gladly see them, and deride at them, as at some bug-beare, which these words so full of contempt and presumption do euidently shew: Let him come: let him hasten.

Work here (by a kind of excellency) is taken for judgement. For it seems in deed that the Lord regards not when he defers to take vengeance upon the iniquities of the ungodly: but when he ariseth to give judgement, and to execute punishment, then his work appears, and is manifest in deed (as they say) because we perceive by the effects that the world is governed by his power and authority. Work then in this place is specially taken for judgement, because thereby it something appears unto us that God is not idle, but doth his office. Now the wicked speak of him in derision and scorn, and we have experience of this frowardness and obstinacy at this day more then is meet, and we must wage the like war against them which the Prophets did. The wicked think that God takes his ease in heaven, and cares not for mens matters, as certain epicures, who placed God his chiefest happiness in this, that he had nothing to do. And although they imagine that there is some God, yet they acknowledge him not in his judgement, but in the mean while they make good cheer, and never pine away themselves with such thoughts. Let the Prophets and Ministers cry, and that with open mouth, let them threaten and terrify us whilst they list, we will securely lye still, waiting till that which they threaten come to pass, and in the whilst we will make merry. Thus the Prophet recounts the speeches of the wicked, whereby they showed in what contempt and disdain they had his word, not only saying let his work come: but let it come quickly and let it draw near: for in regard it came not suddenly, they concluded, that whatsoever he executes not as soon as he hath spoken the word, is but smoke.