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. 3. And many people shall go and say, Come, and let vs goe vp to the moun∣taine of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Iacob, and hee will teach vs his waies, and we will walke in his paths: for the law shall goe forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Ierusalem.

IN the former verse he had briefly touched the cause from whence such an excellencie should come vnto the mountaine of Zion, to wit, because all nations should flow vnto it, as if the riuers should ouerflow with ouer∣much abundance of waters: now he declares the same thing, adding also the reason of it. For one might demand vpon what occasion so many sorts of people should flow thither by bands from countries so farre off. He saith then that they shall come thither for no o∣ther end but to serue God. But in the word Manie, there is an antithesis, for he signifies that there should not be one nation onely, as before; which should yeeld obedience vnto the true worship of God: but that those which were altogether strangers, should come to consent with like agreement in reli∣gion with thē: as if he should say, The Church which before was shut vp as in a corner, shall now be gathered out of all parts. Hee hath put many then, for diuers. For it is certaine that he meant not to lessen y^t which he had said ere while of all nations. Further, although this was neuer fulfilled, to wit, that all the people of the whole world hauing left their countrie should assemble to Ierusalem; not∣withstanding because the doctrine of the Gospell (by which God did there gather to himself a Church indifferently from out of al the world) came forth of this mountaine of Zion; hee well affirmes that those who em∣braced the couenant of saluation, with one consent of faith, and ioyned themselues to one only Church, should come thither. The agreement also which is betweene the figures of the law, and the spirituall worship, is to be noted; such as it began to be after the com∣ming of Christ.

And they shall come.] First hee signifies by

condition of the new Church is aboue the old: because in it God appeares to be King in the person of his Sonne. Againe, hee also confirmes the vocation of the Gentiles, for Christ was not sent to the Iewes onely to raigne amongst them, but also to haue iuris∣diction ouer the whole world.

Rebuke the people.] The word Iacach doth sometimes signifie to expostulate, sometimes to correct, also to prepare, or make readie. But in this place the receiued interpretation doth very well agree, whereas the Prophet doth speake concerning the reformation of the Church. For there is neede of correcti∣on, that we may learne to submit our selues vnto God. For by reason of that rebellious nature which is inbred in vs, wee shall ne∣uer profit in the word of God, vnlesse we be brought vnder by violence. Therefore Christ also, Ioh. 16.8. from hence takes the begin∣ning of the Gospell: namely, that the world might be reprooued of sin. Now that the do∣ctrine might not want increase, Isaiah shews, that y^e stubburnnes of our flesh must be bro∣ken: and therefore hee assignes vnto God, the part of a Iudge rebuking, that hee might examine our life; and by condemning our vices, might reforme our manners for the better. And truely we see that the Gospell is of small force, but where the iurisdiction of the holy Spirit beares rule; which doth bring men vnto repentance.

They shall breake their swords.] Now hee addes the fruit which should come from thence, when Christ shall gather the people and nations together vnder his gouern∣ment. There is nothing more desireable, then peace: but although all seeme to desire it, yet euery one troubleth it by his foolish lust; pride, couetousnes, and ambition is the cause that some do cruelly rise vp against others. Because then that men are naturally carried away by their euill affections, to trouble and ouerthrow all things, the Prophet promi∣seth here that such a mischiefe should bee re∣dressed.* 1.1 For as the Gospell is the doctrine of reconciliation, which takes away the discord betweene God and man, so also it pacifies, and brings men to vnitie one with ano∣ther. The summe is, that Christ his people shall be meeke, and hauing trodden cruel∣tie vnder their feete, shall studie to liue pea∣ceablie.

But they haue done vnfitly, which would restraine this to the time wherein Christ was borne, because that after the battaile Actia∣que, the Temple of Ianus was shut vp: as it appeares by the histories. I confesse indeed that this peace which was vniuersall in the Romane Empire, was, as it were, a signe of that eternal peace which we enioy in Christ. But the Prophet meant to say more: to wit, that Christ so reconcileth men to God, that all deadly warres being thereby appeased, there should thereupon follow a healthfull peace among them. For if Iesus Christ bee taken away, we are not onely estranged from God, but wee haue open warre continually with him, which will iustly returne vpon our owne heads: from whence it is, that all things are out of course in the world.

Furthermore, Isaiah promiseth, that when the Gospell shall be published, there shall be an excellent remedie in the world to appease all dissensions: and not onely that, but all hatreds being abolished, men shall be incli∣ned to helpe one another. For he saith not simplie that the swords shall be broken; but that they shall bee conuerted into mattocks. In which hee shewes there shall bee such a change, that whereas they were wont before to vexe one another, and did commit manie iniuries to the hurt of their neighbours; af∣terwards they should entertaine peace and loue amongst themselues, and should lend one another the hand, for the common pro∣fit of all: for mattocks and sithes, are instru∣ments fit for labour, and are necessarie and profitable for the life of man. He shews then, that when Iesus Christ shal reigne, those who in former time were carried away with a de∣sire of doing hurt by all meanes whatsoeuer, should now be helpful to others by al meanes possible.

Neither shal they learne to fight any more] The word which the Prophet vseth, signifies ei- to accustome, or to learne: but the sense is cleare; namely, that they should not exer∣cise themselues any more in those Arts that should doe hurt, neither should they giue themselues, to the doing of wrongs nor of wicked practises, as they had been wont to doe. From hence we gather, that they haue profited very little in the Gospel, whose harts are not brought to meeknes: amongst whom charitie hath taken so little place that they take no delight in shewing kindnes one to∣wards another. But this can neuer bee brought about vnlesse the consciences of men be first appeased by God; for there we must begin, to the end wee may also haue peace with men.

There are some brainsicke bedlems which turne this place to the maintaining of a car∣nall libertie, thereby to take away whollie from the Church the vse of the sword: and from this place doe exceedingly condemne all manner of warre. For example, If a prince defend the people committed to him, and see that none offer them wrong; it is not law∣full, say they, for Christians to vse the sword. But the answere is easie For the Prophet vn∣der a similitude speaks of the kingdome of Christ, shewing that it is a kingdome of peace to reconcile men one with another through a mutuall good will. And it is a similitude much vsed in the Scripture, where the thing signified is shewed by the signe: as in Luk. 22.36. it is said, Let him that hath no sword buy one. It was not the purpose of Iesus Christ to prouoke his seruants to fighting: but he signified thereby, that the time of war drew neere. So on the other side it is said that swords shall cease, or shall be applied to diuers ends, when hatreds and debates shall cease: and that those who were enemies be∣fore, should be reconciled. [Obiect.] But some may re∣plie, that in the time of peace and tranquil∣litie there is no vse of the sword. I answere, [Ans.] that peace hath so much strength amongst

vs; as the kingdome of Christ beares sway and doth flourish: and that in these two things, there is a mutuall proportion. And would to God that Christ might raigne whol∣ly amonst vs; for then peace also should bee in his full strength. But in regard that wee are yet farre off from the perfection of this peaceable kingdome, wee must alwaies thinke of the goings forward of it. They are therefore too fond, which consider not that the kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ hath but his beginning here. Moreouer, God ga∣thers not his Church together, that is to say, a companie of the faithfull, to the end they should bee separated from others, but the good are alwaies mingled with the bad, and which more is; the good are not yet come to the marke, and are farre off from the perfe∣ction which is required of them. Wee must not seeke then the full accomplishment of this prophesie here on earth: it is enough if we tast the beginnings of it, and that being reconciled to God in Iesus Christ, we keepe amitie together, and abstaine from all doing of wrong.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Gospell not only sets God and man at peace together, but man with man also.