Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 9. Then shall none hurt nor destroy in all the mountain of mine holiness: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters that cover the sea.

Vers. 9. Then shall none hurt nor destroy in all the mountaine of mine holinesse: for the earth shall bee full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters that couer the sea.

Now he plainly shows, that even men themselves having subdued their natural perversity, shall be inclined to equity. He speaks then of the faithful, who are truly regenerated into newness of life. For although there are many hypocrites full of iniquity, mingled in the Church with the elect of God; yet notwithstanding they are like to to the Ishmaelites, whom God will drive out thence when his time is. To this purpose we are to note that which is said in Psal. 15, 2. & 24.4. that none but the lovers of justice shall have any settled or sure r•st in the Temple of God, to dwell there perpetually. This then appertains to the lawful citizens of the Church to be pure and exempt from all desire to do hurt. Whence we gather also, that it is a singular gift of the holy Ghost, when men abstain from violent courses; because ambition, pride, cruelty, and covetousness, will ordinarily push them forward to wrong ⟨p. 135⟩their neighbours every kind of way, and therefore the Prophet adds to very good purpose that this inestimable gift flows from the knowledge of God. Thus then it behoves that all flesh be humbled, and that men learn to put themselves into the protection and safeguard of God, and to maintain brotherly kindness between themselves when they know that he is the father of them all. For although many which are not yet renewed by the spirit of Christ may have some appearance of humanity,¹