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. 19. And Babel the glorie of kingdomes, and the beautie and pride of the Chaldeans, shall be as the destruction of God in Sodome and Gomorah.

ISaiah meant to cōclude his prophesie tou∣ching the ruin of y^e Babylonians in a briefe maner in this place, although he addes some amplifications to confirme his speech tou∣ching the full rooting of them out. For the Prophets speake in such sort of the punish∣ments of the wicked, that they leaue them no hope of mercie wherewith they might com∣fort themselues. But as touching the faith∣full, although it seemes now and then that they should be chastened too seuerely, yet are they susteined with this assurance, that the Lord will haue pitie vpon them, and will not vtterlie destroy them. Whence we ought to gather, that we must not alwaies iudge ac∣cording to the outward appearance. For we shall many times thinke that the children of God are vtterlie vndone, whose saluatio•• notwithstanding is neere, yea euen in the midst of death it selfe.

In Sodome and Gomorah.]* 1.1 This example is oft alledged by the Prophets, to the end wee might know that howsoeuer all chastisements be not equall, yet notwithstāding in as much as God is vnpartiall in his iudgements, the memorable example which he shewed there∣of in the destruction of Sodom appertaines to all reprobates:* 1.2 so as those who harden them∣selues in their sinnes with the like obstina∣cie, shall be no lesse punished then they were. And they distinguish betweene the punish∣ments

of the elect, and reprobates, in such wise, that still God left some seed to the Israe∣lites; but to the wicked none: as we haue seene in the first Chapter;* 1.3 If the Lord, saith he, had not left vs a seed, we had bin as Sodome and as Gomorah. But he pursues the reprobate with all seueritie: and therefore the Prophets threaten them with the very same ruine which happened to the Sodomites; that is to say, an vtter destruction without all hope of recouerie.

He saith it is the ouerthrow of God; to the end wee should not thinke it came to passe by chance, or by the will of men. For euen as the fire fell not vpon Sodome & Gomorah from heauen at randome; so Babylon also was not destroyed by haphazard, but by the iust ven∣geance of God. Which being alwaies like vn∣to himselfe, did execute his iust iudgement against them, and will still doe the same a∣gainst all reprobates euen vnto the end. Whereas Babylon is called the glorie and bright beauty of Kingdomes;* 1.4 this is added for amplifications sake, to teach vs, that God cannot bee hindered from performing his worke by any glorie or excellencie whatsoe∣uer, that hee should not vtterly roote out the wicked. For in regard that this destruction was incredible, therefore so much the more did an excellent example of Gods mightie power appeare in the confusion of it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sodome and Gomorah.
• * 1.2

  Gen. 19.24.
• * 1.3

  Chap. 1.9.
• * 1.4

  No glory can with∣stand Gods almightie power.