Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 19. And when they shall say unto you, Enquire at them that have a Spirit of divination, and at the Soothsayers, which whisper and murmur; should not a people enquire of their God, from the living to the dead?

Vers. 19. And when they shall say vnto you, Enquire at them that haue a Spirit of diuination, and at the Soothsayers, which whisper and murmur; should not a people enquire of their God, from the liuing to the dead?

But if they say.] The Prophet goes on with his speech; to wit, that all the faithful being armed with the authority of God, should not only as with a buckler, but as with a wall of brass, constantly resist all impiety. He admonisheth them then to continue steadfast, and not to be shaken, if any should offer to solicit them to superstition and idolatry. He useth the plural number, to show that it was a vice common among all estates, which had overflowed every where: as if he should say, I see very well what will come to pass, you shall be in great danger: for those which remain amongst you, will endeavour to turn you aside from the true God, because themselves being wicked, will also desire to have you become like them. There withal he showeth how wickedly they were revolted from the law and covenant of God, in that they were not ashamed to solicit others to seek unto Sorcerers and Enchanters, whose very names ought to have been abominable and accursed unto them.

BVt if they say.] The Prophet goes on with his speech; to wit, that all the faithfull being armed with the authoritie of God, should not onely as with a buckler, but as with a wall of brasse, constantly resist all impietie. He admonisheth them then to continue stedfast, and not to be shaken, if any should offer to solicite them to superstition and idolatrie. Hee vseth the plurall number, to shew that it was a vice common among all estates, which had ouerflowed euery where: as if he should say, I see very well what will come to passe, you shall be in great danger: for those which remaine amongst you, will indeuour to turne you aside from the true God, because themselues being wicked, will also desire to haue you become like them. There withall he sheweth how wickedly they were reuolted from the law and couenant of God, in that they were not ashamed to solicite others to seeke vnto Sorcerers and Enchanters, whose verie names ought to haue been abominable and accursed vnto them.