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.

Vers. 9. Except the Lord of hosts had reserued vnto vs, euen a small remnant, we should haue been as Sodom, and should haue been as Gomorah.

HEre he concludes that which he had pro∣nounced before touching the scourges of God: to wit, that there should be such a ruin; or rather, that it is alreadie present, so as by the beholding of it, it might bee fitly resem∣bled to the destruction of Sodom: were it not that the Lord should pull out a few re∣mainders as out of the midst of the fire. This verse therefore confirmes that which I said erewhile: where the Prophet hauing spoken of the calamities which were alreadie hap∣ned, did in briefe manner conioyne there∣with the euent which should shortly ensue: as if hee should haue said, Suffer not your selues to be beguiled with faire words: For looke what destruction hapned to Sodom and Gomorah, the same should fall vpon you, vn∣lesse the Lord in hauing compassion vpon you, should reserue some few. And vnto this agrees that which is said in Ieremiah, Jt is the Lords mercies that wee are not consumed, &c. Lament. 3.22.

Now from hence we are to note two things: [ 1] First, that he here denounceth an extreame ruin: yet for as much as God hath to doe with his Church and elect people, therefore this iudgement shall be mitigated by a par∣ticular and speciall fauour; to the end the faithfull (whom hee here rightly compares to small remnants) may bee deliuered from the generall destruction of the whole nation. Now if God hath punished the iniquities of the Iewes by such horrible chastisements, doe we thinke the like w••ll not befall vnto vs if we partake with them in their rebellions? for the Lord had consecrated this people to him∣selfe, and had exempted them from the com∣mon condition of others. And wherefore should he rather spare vs if we continue har∣dned in our impietie and disloyaltie? But which more is, what issue can wee expect in the midst of such an heape and puddle of vi∣ces whereinto men plunge themselues euery way thorowout the whole world? Truly euen the same that befell to Sodom and Gomorah: namely, y^t we should be brought to nothing, did not the respect which God hath to his free couenant (wherein hee hath promised that his Church shall neuer perish) withhold his vengeance from vs. This threatning al∣so which is very terrible and fearefull, apper∣taines to all those that are obstinate and de∣sperate, whose manners cannot bee reformed by any strokes of God his roddes.

[ 2] On the other side, wee are to note that which I haue alreadie touched out of Iere∣miah; namely, that we ought to attribute it to the only mercie of God that we are not al vtterly consumed and brought to nothing. For if we shall behold how great the iniqui∣ties are which do reigne in euery place, and amongst all sorts of men, we ought to admire Gods mercie that we see so much as one man aliue, and that all haue not been cleane swept away from off the earth. Thus it plea∣seth the Lord to keepe his hand in; to the end he may still continue a Church in the world. And S. Paul also who is the best ex∣positor of this place yeeldes the same reason: for alledging it in the Epistle to the Romans, chap. 9.29. he beates downe the insolencie of the Iewes, to the end they should not bragge of that naked title which they bare, as if it had been enough for them that they were descended from the ancient fathers, in re∣gard of the flesh. For he admonisheth them

that God could deale with them as hee had done in old time with their fathers: but that he is still minded for his mercies sake to re∣serue a Church to himselfe: and to what end? euen that it should not vtterly perish. For it is for the loue and fauour which hee beares toward it, that the Lord reserueth some little seede, when in regard of our rebellion hee is constrained to exercise his rigorous iudge∣mēts. Which sentence ought greatly to com∣fort vs in our extreamest calamities; yea, e∣uen then when we shall thinke the Church as good as forlorne: that when we see the state of things turned vpside downe, so as to our seeming heauen and earth goeth together (as they say) yet that we euen then continue firme and inuincible touching our trust in God his mercie notwithstanding, resoluing our selues that God will neuer cease to haue care of his Church howsoeuer the world goe.

Euen a small remnant.] This particle small, may be referred as well to that which went before as to that which followes. And there∣fore some translate, We had been almost as Sodom. Notwithstanding, I had rather referre it to the former speech: to declare that the number which God reserued from the com∣mon destruction, was very small. But some rather thinke that this is taken affirmatiuely, and was therefore put to expresse the mat∣ter the more liuely: which I reiect not; al∣though it may be taken in his true and natiue sense, as if it had been said, There shall but a small number of the people remaine. Now we are to note this sentence diligently: for, vnles the Church haue faire and large domi∣nions, men are wont to despise her. And from thence it comes that hypocrits bragge so much of their multitudes; and that the weake also stagger, as being dazled with their pompe and glorie. It therfore appeares by this place, that wee must not measure the Church by the hugenes of the multitude, vn∣lesse we meane to esteeme more of the chaffe, then of the wheate; because the quantitie therof is greater. But it ought to suffice vs that although the number of the faithful be verie small, yet that God notwithstanding acknow∣ledgeth them for his elect people. And with this also should that consolation of Christ come into our minds: Feare not little flocke, for it is your fathers pleasure to giue you the kingdome, Luk. 12.31.