Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Besides, albeit our labours seem unprofitable, and that men cast themselves head-long into destruction, waxing more obstinate, yet must we go on still, because we do nothing of our own will, and therefore to content our selves that we are approved of God. We have cause to sigh indeed when the event answereth not our labour: and we ought to be much in prayer unto God that he would give his word efficacy. Yea, we are to lay the fault in part upon our selves, when we see so little fruit; yet are we not for all that to cast away our weapons, or to forsake our charge. The truth must always found forth from our mouths, although there be no cares to hear it, yea, although the world be as blind and as senseless as stones. For it is more then sufficient that we faithfully serve to the glory of God, and that our labours are pleasing to him: neither is the sound of our voice in vain when it leaves the world without excuse.

Besides, albeit our labours seeme vnprofitable, and that men cast themselues head-long into destruction, waxing more obstinate, yet must we goe on still, because we do nothing of our owne will, and therefore to content our selues that we are approued of God. We haue cause to sigh indeed when the euent answereth not our labour: and wee ought to be much in prayer vnto God that he would giue his word efficacie. Yea, we are to lay the fault in part vpon our selues, when we see so little fruite; yet are we not for all that to cast away our weapons, or to forsake our charge. The truth must alwaies found forth from our mouthes, although there be no cares to heare it, yea, although the world be as blind and as senseles as stones. For it is more then sufficient that we faithfullie serue to the glorie of God, and that our labours are pleasing to him: neither is the sound of our voyce in vaine when it leaues the world without excuse.

The faithful teachers ought here to receive a singular consolation, to fortify themselves the better always against the offences which fall out every day by the rebellions of men, lest they be thereby cooled: no, let them continue in their office with invincible constancy. Now forasmuch as this also is a general offence, to wit, that the lively word of God (at the hearing whereof all the world ought to tremble) strikes thus the ears of men without fruit or profit; let the weak in faith learn also to strengthen themselves with this sentence. We are wont to wonder how it can possibly come to pass that the greatest part of the world should so furiously resist against God. And from thence also ariseth this difficulty, to wit, whether that can be the heavenly truth of God or no which is rejected without punishment; because it is not likely that God would speak to men, to the end they should scorn him. But to the end our faith waer not, we must oppose this stay; namely, that the office of teaching was committed to Isaiah, that in casting abroad the seed of life, it should bring forth nothing but death: as also that mention is not made here of that which befell once, but it is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ as shall be said anon. Furthermore the circumstance is to be noted, that Isaiah was not sent to all, but only to the Jews: wherefore there is very great vehemency in the particle demonstrative Hinneh, as if he should say, The people whom the Lord had specially chosen, heard me not; but shut their eyes in so manifest a light.