Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

They have been wont to begin the 6. Chapter here, but some think it is the beginning of this book; and therefore that the Prophesies of Isaiah were not well collected and gathered together, alleging this reason, that the Prophet refuseth to take upon him the office of teaching, §1which he would hot have done, if he had exercised §2it before: and that he seems altogether §3a novice, seeing he yet knew not his vocation. Moreover that here he declares how he had now seen the Lord, and not before. But I think these reasons are not of any value, as I have touched heretofore, and therewithal I answer, that it ought to seem no new thing that the Prophet should be cast as it were into a swoon, and so astonished with this strange vision, that he should utterly forget he was a Prophet: for there was no part in him which was not abashed at the presence of God; and therefore as one amazed he willingly ran into some hole, or rather thinking himself but a dead man, he thought verily he should have given up the ghost. And it is very necessary that the children of God should be thus touched, when God letteth them perceive the signs of his presence, to the end they may be humbled and confounded in themselves. Add also, that God meant thus to fear the rebellious people in the person of his servant, and therefore it is no marvel if he excuse himself being so astonished with fear; as also in regard that he had not before felt the weight of his charge as now he did, after the majesty of God had thus evidently appeared unto him.

THey haue been woont to begin the 6. Chapter heere, but some thinke it is the beginning of this booke; and therfore that the Prophesies of Isaiah were not well collected and gathered together, alledging this reason, that ye Prophet refuseth to take vpō him ye office of teaching, §1which he would hot haue done, if he had exercised §2it before: and that he seemes altogether §3a nouice, seeing he yet knew not his vocation. Moreouer that heere he declares how he had now seene the Lord, and not before. But I thinke these reasons are not of any value, as I haue touched heretofore, and therewithall I answere, that it ought to seeme no new thing that the Prophet should be cast as it were into a swound, and so astonished with this strange vision, that he should vtterly forget he was a Prophet: for there was no part in him which was not abashed at the presence of God; and therefore as one amazed he willingly ran into some hole, or rather thinking himself but a dead man, he thought verily he should haue giuen vp the ghost. And it is very necessarie that the children of God should be thus touched, when God letteth them perceiue the signes of his presence, to the end they may be humbled and confounded in themselues. Adde also, that God meant thus to feare the rebellious people in the person of his seruant, and therefore it is no maruell if he excuse himselfe being so astonished with feare; as also in regard that he had not before felt the weight of his charge as now he did, after the maiestie of God had thus euidentlie appeared vnto him.