Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Object. I saw the Lord.] Some ask how Isaiah could see the Lord, who is a spirit, and therefore can not be seen with corporal eyes: and also because the understandings of men are not able to mount up to his infinite greatness, how it can be that he should comprehend him under a visible form? Ans. But we must note, that as oft as God showed himself to the fathers he never appeared unto them in his whole essence, but as men were able to comprehend him, according to their capacity. For it is not inconvenient (albeit men creep here as it were upon the earth, or at the least are very low beneath the heavens) that God should descend down unto them, so as the beams of his glory should appear unto them as in a glass. Such a form then was represented before Isaiah, whereby he tasted and saw the incomprehensible majesty of God as far as his weakness could bear. And therefore he attributes a seat, a garment, and a bodily sight unto him. Whence we may gather a very profitable doctrine, to wit, that as oft as God shows any sign of his presence, we are to know for certain that he is present by us: for he deceives not in giving vain representations, as men wickedly disfigure him by their foolish inventions. Because this representation then was a true testimony of God his presence, Isaiah rightly affirms that he saw him. As when it is said that John saw the holy Ghost in the likeness of a Dove,¹ the name of the spirit is transferred to the sign, because he should not doubt but it was the holy Ghost which rested upon Christ.

Obiect. I saw the Lord.] Some aske how Isaiah could see the Lord, who is a spirit, and therefore can not be seene with corporall eyes: and also because the vnderstandings of men are not able to mount vp to his infinit greatnes, how it can be that he should comprehend him vnder a visible forme? Ans. But we must note, that as oft as God shewed himselfe to the fathers he neuer appeared vnto them in his whole essence, but as men were able to comprehend him, according to their capacitie. For it is not inconuenient (albeit men creepe heere as it were vpon the earth, or at the least are very low beneath the heauens) that God should descend downe vnto them, so as the beames of his glorie should appeare vnto them as in a glasse. Such a forme then was represented before Isaiah, whereby he tasted and saw the incomprehensible maiestie of God as farre as his weakenes could beare. And therefore he attributes a seate, a garment, and a bodily sight vnto him. Whence wee may gather a very profitable doctrine, to wit, that as oft as God shewes any signe of his presence, we are to know for certaine that he is present by vs: for he deceiues not in giuing vaine representations, as men wickedly disfigure him by their foolish inuentions. Because this representation then was a true testimonie of God his presence, Isaiah rightly affirmes that he saw him. As when it is sayd that Iohn saw the holy Ghost in the likenes of a Doue,