This comparison doth further exemplify the crime of their revolt. For the Lord might well have compared his people to the Heathen, and Infidels: but he toucheth them nearer, in comparing them to brute beasts, and in showing that they are yet more foolish then they. For albeit these beasts be void of reason & understanding, yet are they teachable, at the least wise in this respect, that they acknowledge those who feeds them. Seeing then that the Lord had not only fed this people as in a stall or Crib, but had fed them largely and abundantly, no otherwise then the father doth his children whom he tendereth; and had not only pampered their bellies, but did always replenish them with spiritual food: had he not good cause, think you, to esteem them worthy rather to be sent to school to learn of Oxen and Asses then of men; especially when he saw they were become so beastly? he sends his people then to these brute beasts to learn their duties of them. And no marvel; for it often falls out that the unreasonable creatures do better follow the order of nature, and do in their kind show more humanity then men themselves. And not to allege many examples, this •ne which Isaiah here propounds shall suffice: namely, that these beasts being altogether senseless and blockish, do yet notwithstanding obey their masters and those who have the government of them. And if in other things we shall consider wherein the beasts do surpass men, how many particulars shall we find out? §1What is the cause that scarcely any beast will offer violence to one of his own kind? and that he should therein, as you would say, acknowledge his own likeness. §2What is the cause also that all sorts of beasts do take such pains to nourish their little ones, seeing it often falleth out that women forgetting nature, and all womanhood, do reject and forsake their children? §3And do we not observe how beasts will keep such a mediocrity that they will eat and drink no more then that which sufficeth them for life, and to uphold their strength; whilst men in the mean space do stuff and gorge themselves, or which is worse, do overthrow themselves with surfeiting? §4Lastly, the be•sts do in nothing pass beyond the bounds of nature, which are ordained for them.
THis comparison doth further exemplifie the crime of their reuolt. For the Lord might well haue compared his people to the Heathen, and Infidels: but he toucheth them neerer, in comparing them to brute beasts, and in shewing that they are yet more foolish then they. For albeit these beasts be voyd of reason & vnderstanding, yet are they teachable, at the least wise in this respect, that they acknowledge those who feedes them. Seeing then that the Lord had not only fed this people as in a staule or Crib, but had fed them largely and abundantly, no otherwise then the father doth his children whom he tendreth; and had not onely pampered their bellies, but did alwaies replenish them with spirituall foode: had he not good cause, think you, to esteeme them worthie rather to bee sent to schoole to learne of Oxen and Asses then of men; especially when hee saw they were become so beastly? he sends his people then to these brute beasts to learne their duties of them. And no meruaile; for it often fals out that the vnreasonable creatures do better follow the order of nature, and doe in their kind shew more humanitie then men thems•lues. And not to alleadge many examples, this •ne which Isaiah here propounds shall s•ffice: namely, that these beasts being altogether senselesse and blockish, doe yet notwithst•nding obey their masters and those who haue the gouernment of them. And if in other things we shall consider wherein the beasts doe surpasse men, how many particulars shall wee find out? §1What is the cause that scarsely any beast will offer violence to one of his owne kind? and that he should therein, as you would say, acknowledge his owne likenes. §2What is the cause also that all sorts of beasts doe take such paines to nourish their little ones, seeing it often falleth out that women forgetting nature, and all womanhood, doe reiect and forsake their children? §3And do we not obserue how beasts wil keepe such a mediocritie that they will eate and drinke no more then that which sufficeth them for life, and to vphold their strength; whilst men in the meane space doe stuffe and gorge themselues, or which is worse, do ouerthrow themselues with surfetting? §4Lastly, the be•sts do in nothing passe beyond ye bounds of nature, which are ordained for them.
