Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 6. Behold, it is written before me; I will not keep silence, but will render it and recompense it into their bosom.

Vers. 6. Behold, it is written before me; I will not keepe silence, but will render it and recompence it into their bosome.

The Prophet alludes to the custom that is among Judges, who have lying by them upon record, the informations, testimonies, acts, and other pieces of evidences, that when need requires, the offender may be easily convicted: for we use to leave those things in writing, which we would have posterity to remember. The Lord then testifies that these things can never be forgotten, because they be written before him. For howsoever he winks at things for a time, yet shall not the wicked escape unpunished, but shall well perceive in the end that he is a just Judge.

THe Prophet alludes to the custome that is among Iudges, who haue lying by them vpon record, the informations, testimonies, acts, and other pieces of euidences, that when neede requires, the offender may bee easily conuicted: for we vse to leaue those things in vvriting, which we would haue posteritie to remember. The Lord then testifies that these things can neuer bee forgotten, because they bee vvritten before him. For howsoeuer hee winkes at things for a time, yet shall not the wicked escape vnpunished, but shall well perceiue in the end that hee is a iust Iudge.

Doctrine. Hence let us gather, that we ought not to abuse Gods patience, if he forbears us long, and lifts not up his hand by and by to inflict his judgement upon us;¹ for he ceaseth not for all that to keep a register of all our faults; for which we may be sure he will one day punish us, unless we repent. I grant the Lord hath no need to write for his memories sake: but it pleaseth him to use this phrase of speech, that we should not imagine him to be forgetful of any thing, when he defers the execution of his judgements. Nay, in