Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

We need not seek out here any far fetched interpretations. For in plain terms he admonisheth those which should be gathered into the Church, that round about them, they shall behold the fearful vengeance of God. His meaning is not that these calamities shall break in among•• the troop of the faithful; for it should much lessen the felicity of the Church▪ upon which God manifests all sorts of testimonies of joy and gladness. But, as formerly he hath spoken of that perpetual glory wherewith God will beautify his chosen; so now he shows what punishments the wicked shall endure, that the faithful might be the more careful to hold themselves in the fear of God.

VVEe neede not seeke out heere any far fetched interpretations. For in plaine termes hee admonisheth those which should be gathered into the Church, that round about them, they shall behold the fearefull vengeance of God. His meaning is not that these calamities shall breake in among•• the troope of the ••ithfull; for it should much lessen the felicitie of the Church▪ vpon which God manifests all sorts of testimonies of ioy and gladnesse. But, as formerly he hath spoken of that perpetuall glory wherewith God will beautifie his chosen; so now he shewes what punishments the wicked shall indure, that the faithfull might bee the more carefull to hold themselues in the feare of God.

Whereas he threatens them to be tormented with fire; I have told you heretofore, that this is a figurative kind of speech, which also clearly appears by the other part of this verse: for there shall come no worms out of the earth, to gnaw the hearts of the unbelievers. The plain meaning is then, that mens evil consciences shall play the tormentors to vex them continually, and that a more fearful torment is prepared for them, then all torments (in the world) besides. In a word, that they shall be affrighted, and cruelly disquieted, after an horrible manner: as if a worm should lie gnawing at the heart of a man: or as if a fire should ever burn him, and yet they should never die. Now in respect that the wicked are here advanced to great honours, from whence they scorn the godly, and trample them under their feet: therefore the Prophet denounceth against them, a terrible change, namely, that they shall be inwrapped with extreme ignominy, with unspeakable torments. For it is good reason that such as have contemned and scorned Gods glory, should be covered over with all reproaches, and made abominable both to Angels, and to all the world.