A17640:914
Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah
A commentary upon the prophecy of Isaiah. By Mr. John Calvin. Whereunto are added four tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Upon the river.] No doubt but he means the river Nilus, which watereth and compasseth all Egypt in many places, by means whereof they might have shut up the passage before the people returning into Judea. I doubt not but the word Ruach is here taken for wind, although these words of the Lord be joined therewith: for all the winds are the Lords, seeing he governs and guides them as it pleaseth him, and especially a vehement whirlwind raised up miraculously is so taken when this word is used.
Vpon the riuer.] No doubt but he meanes the riuer Nilus, which watereth and compasseth all Egypt in many places, by meanes whereof they might haue shut vp the passage before the people returning into Iudea. I doubt not but the word Ruach is here taken for wind, although these words of the Lord be ioyned therewith: for all the winds are the Lords, seeing he gouernes and guides them as it pleaseth him, and especiallie a vehement whirlewind raised vp miraculouslie is so taken when this word is vsed.
Now he alludes to the first deliverance of the Church when it was brought out of Egypt. For when it pleased God to give them passage, he dried up the sea by the violence and force of the winds, Exod. 14.21. I grant that God needed not the help of winds, because he was able to have done it of himself: but when he useth ordinary means, first from thence §1we learn that all creatures are ready to yield obedience unto him. And howsoever they have their natural course,1 yet are they all in his hands, so as he will turn their force and violence which way soever it shall please him. For example, when the wind ariseth, it takes his beginning of a natural cause: all the winds also have their several proprieties: the south wind is moist, the north wind cold, and the effects which proceed from them are altogether alike: for the south wind makes the bodies moist, and the north wind dries them. The Lord shows by admirable miracles that he hath a superior power, and an overruling hand far above these natural causes, so as nature (that is to say, the disposition of things, as profane men have imagined) overrules not, but he only. Secondly