Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE under a fair pretence refuseth the sign which the Lord offered him, saying, that he would not tempt him: for he seems as if he believed the words of the Prophet, demanding nothing else but the word. And truly as impiety is detestable before God, so doubtless he greatly priseth faith. Wherefore it should seem that he who rests upon the only word of God, despising all things else, is worthy of great praise, because there is no greater perfection then to submit our selves to God. Object. But will some say, Do we tempt God when we receive that which he offereth? Certainly no. Ans. Ahaz lied then when he refused the sign which was offered him, under pretence of not tempting God, for there is nothing better or more excellent, then to obey God. It is a great virtue in deed to ask no-nothing but the word; but if God be pleased to add somewhat more unto it, it is then no virtue but a vice to reject such an help as a thing superfluous. Yea, there is great injury offered unto God in despising his liberality; as if that which he doth for our sakes were unprofitable, or as if he were ignorant what things were good and necessary for us. We know that faith receives her chief praise, because she holds her self in obedience: but when we will be wise in our own conceits, and despise the least thing which is of God, we are abominable before him, what pretence soever we make before men. We must so join faith to the word then, that we despise not the helps which he offereth and giveth us for the strengthening of our faith.

HE vnder a faire pretence refuseth the signe which the Lord offred him, saying, that he would not tempt him: for he seemes as if he beleeued the words of the Prophet, demanding nothing else but the word. And truely as impietie is detestable before God, so doubtlesse he greatly priseth faith. Wherefore it should seeme that he who rests vpon the only word of God, despising all things else, is worthie of great praise, because there is no greater perfection then to submit our selues to God. Obiect. But wil some say, Do we tempt God when we receiue that which he offreth? Certainely no. Ans. Ahaz lied then when he refused the signe which was offred him, vnder pretence of not tempting God, for there is nothing better or more excellent, then to obey God. It is a great vertue in deed to aske no-nothing but the word; but if God be pleased to adde somewhat more vnto it, it is then no vertue but a vice to reiect such an help as a thing superfluous. Yea, there is great iniurie offred vnto God in despising his liberalitie; as if that which he doth for our sakes were vnprofitable, or as if he were ignorant what things were good and necessarie for vs. Wee know that faith receiues her chiefe praise, because she holds her selfe in obedience: but when we will be wise in our owne conceits, and despise the least thing which is of God, we are abominable before him, what pretence soeuer we make before men. We must so ioyne faith to the word then, that we despise not the helps which he offreth and giueth vs for the strengthening of our faith.