Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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.

A people.] Some read this altogether in the person of the wicked; as if under pretence hereof, they would deceive the simple: to wit, that there is no nation whatsoever, without oracles & revelations, but every one asketh counsel at his gods, or at least, of the Magicians and Soothsayers. Yet notwithstanding, me thinks the opinion of others is more sound, who think that Isaiah teacheth his disciples how they should answer, if so be any should solicit them to idolatry. And yet this doth not sufficiently open the meaning of this place: for commonly it is expounded as if it were a comparison, from the less to the greater; What? do the Gentiles ask counsel at their gods, which notwithstanding are falsely so called; and shall we not make more account of him whom we know to be the true God, especially seeing he hath manifested himself so to be unto us, and that by so infinite testimonies? Is it not a foul shame that the heathen should make more reckoning of their gods, then we do of our God? But I rather expound this of the Jews themselves, who are called People, by way of excellency; because they were adopted of God. Neither is it material that the Prophet useth the word Elohim, Gods, in the plural number,