Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 1. Moreover, the Lord said unto me; Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a^* mans pen; Make speed to the spoil, haste to the pray.

Vers. 1. Moreouer, the Lord said vnto mee; Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a^* mans pen; Make speede to the spoile, haste to the pray.

1. *Or, a common stile.

This Prophecy contains no new matter: but is a confirmation of the former; wherein Isaiah had prophesied the destruction of the two kingdoms of Israel and Syria, which was at hand. He had also foretold, that both Countries should lose their Kings, before the children which should be borne soon after, were able to discern between good and evil; that is to say, before they should be of discretion. But because the wicked take no warning by any threatenings, it was needful that this prophecy should be repeated, and confirmed by some sign: First, that he might awaken the people, God commandeth this Prophecy to be published and written, to the ⟨p. 87⟩end all might take knowledge of it. We have said heretofore,¹ that the Prophets were wont after they had received commandment to publish any thing to the people, to comprehend the sum of it in few words; and then fixed it to the gates of the Temple: as we may gather from the book of Habakkuk; ²wherewith if we confer this place, the thing shall be manifest enough. But here is a more particular thing: for he not only commands the prophecy to be written; but he requireth a great and large roll, to the end it might be read a far off. For by how much smaller the letter is, so much the more difficult and obscure it is to read. Hereunto appertains that which immediately followeth, touching the Stile of a common person. The word Enosh, is taken for a man of any trade; to the end all, yea the simplest idiots might read that which should be written.