Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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 yet is it very certain that they are carried away therein with the love of themselves, because all have this naturally so rooted in them, that they will always seek their own profit rather then the profit of an other, and therefore think they are put in this world only to serve their own turn and not their neighbours: yea, they would have all the world at their command if it were possible, which Plato ²also wisely considered.

NOw he plainely shewes, that euen men themselues hauing subdued their naturall peruersitie, shall bee inclined to equitie. He speakes then of the faithfull, who are truely regenerated into newnesse of life. For although there are many hypocrits full of iniquitie, mingled in the Church with the elect of God; yet notwithstanding they are like to to the Ishmaelites, whom God will driue out thence when his time is. To this purpose we are to note that which is said in