Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

S. Paul also shows from this place not once but often, that all the cause of their blindness remained in themselves, Act. 28.27. Rom. 11.8. They, saith he, have made their ears heavy, and stopped their eyes. So, that which the Prophet attributes here to doctrine; that the Apostle attributes to the wicked affection of this people, who were the cause of their own blinding.¹ S. Paul brings in the holy Ghost speaking in this place. S. John saith, that Isaiah spake thus of Christ, after he saw his glory. Whence it appeareth, as we have said heretofore, that this God which filled the whole earth with his glory, was Christ. But Christ is not separate from his Spirit. It is to very good purpose then that S. Paul hath referred this place to the holy Ghost: for although God did represent himself to the Prophet in the lively image of his Son, yet is it also certain that whatsoever he represented unto him, was wholly shed into him by the power of the holy Spirit. Now let the wicked bark against us while they will with their blasphemies, and blame our doctrine, because the world is made the worse by the preaching of it; yet shall they gain nothing thereby, neither yet be able to diminish the least tittle of the authority thereof, for they must forthwith condemn God himself when they condemn his doctrine, but their slanders can not let that his justice should not appear; or that he should not preserve that and us also blameless.

S. Paul also shewes from this place not once but often, that all the cause of their blindnes remained in themselues, Act. 28.27. Rom. 11.8. They, saith he, haue made their eares heauie, and stopped their eyes. So, that which the Prophet attributes heere to doctrine; that the Apostle attributes to the wicked affection of this people, who were the cause of their owne blinding.¹ S. Paul brings in the holy Ghost speaking in this place. S. Iohn saith, that Isaiah spake thus of Christ, after he saw his glorie. Whence it appeeres, as we haue said heretofore, that this God which filled the whole earth with his glorie, was Christ. But Christ is not separate from his Spirit. It is to very good purpose then that S. Paul hath referred this place to the holy Ghost: for although God did represent himselfe to the Prophet in the liuely image of his Sonne, yet is it also certaine that whatsoeuer he represented vnto him, was whollie shed into him by the power of the holie Spirit. Now let the wicked barke against vs while they will with their blasphemies, and blame our doctrine, because the world is made the worse by the preaching of it; yet shall they gaine nothing thereby, neither yet be able to diminish the least tittle of the authoritie thereof, for they must forthwith condemne God himself when they condemne his doctrine, but their slanders can not let that his iustice should not appeere; or that he should not preserue that and vs also blameles.