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. 5. The earth also deceiueth, because of the inhabitants thereof: for they transgressed the lawes, they chan∣ged the ordinances, and brake the euerla∣sting couenant.

OThers translate, The earth is polluted; because the verbe Caneph, signifies to be wicked: both senses may agree, but the verse following requires that wee expound it; The earth deceiueth. For hee seemes to amplifie it further by and by after, when hee saith,* 1.1 that the curse hath deuoured the earth. There is no great hardnesse in the word Ta∣cath, whether we translate it Vnder, or, Be∣cause of her inhabitants. Now there is a mu∣tual traffique, as it were, betweene the earth, and those that labour in it: so as she ought to render thē that which she hath receiued into her bowels, with vsurie; for otherwise shee deceiues them: but she yeelds a reason why she deceiues, when shee laies the blame vpon the inhabitants: for themselues haue made her barren by their wickednesse.* 1.2 Our sinne is the cause why the earth sustaines vs not, nor brings forth her increase as God hath ordai∣ned by the course of nature. His will is, that shee should be a mother vnto vs, to the end she may yeeld vs food: now if she change her nature and course, or degenerates from her fruitfulnesse; let vs impute that to our owne wickednesse, because we our selues ouerthrow that order which God hath set: for otherwise the earth would neuer deceiue, but would al∣waies render vs that which she ought. The cause is by and by added, why the earth is become vnfaithfull and deceiues her inhabi∣tants: for is it not good reason they should be defrauded of their prouision of food, that will defraud God, their Father and sustainer of his honour? Now he taxeth the reuolt of his nation heere in a particular man∣ner: for their fault was much more hei∣nous, and lesse excusable, then all the sinnes of those which were neuer taught in God his schoole.

[ 1] The word Th••rah is transferred to the law, because it signifies doctrine: but it is heere put in the plurall number, and signifies all the doctrine that is comprehended in the law. Now because the Law consists as well in Commandements as promises, the Prophet addes two other words or parts of it, to make his meaning the more plaine.

[ 2] The word Chok, signifies an Ordinance, and by it some vnderstand the Ceremonies, others Maners. Wee may translate it Instructions: fo•• I take it not only for Ceremonies, but for all things that belong to the rules of good [ 3] life. Thirdly, he puts the word Berith, which signifies a bargaine or couenant. This word is to be restrained to the couenants whereby the Lord adopting his people, promised to be their God. He reprocheth their vnthankful∣nes then, because that albeit the Lord had manifested himselfe vnto them diuers waies, and had giuen them singular testimonies of his loue, yet were they rebellious and wan∣ton, transgressing his lawes, and violating his holy couenant.

[Quest.] But why directs he his speech to the Iewes? Because he knew that he was sent vnto them [ 1] as their Prophet to teach them. [Ans.] Hence wee may gather what the rule of a well ordered life is:* 1.3 for it is conteined in the Law, which we must precisely follow if we will approue our doings vnto God, if we turne from it to the right hand or to the left, we are guiltie of [ 2] transgression. Wee may also obserue that God would not only haue vs to thinke vpon his Lawes and Commandements in his word, but also vpon his Couenant:* 1.4 for the principall part of the word consists in the promises by which hee adopts and receiues vs for his people. Now it is not to be doubted but in these va∣rietie of words the Prophet meant to ampli∣fie the matter: as if he should say, You are whollie corrupt, nothing remaines sound a∣mongst you.

* 1.5He calles it the euerlasting couenant, because it ought to be perpetuall, inuiolable, and to indure for euer, for it ought to continue al∣waies from the father to the sonne, that the memorie of it might neuer be lost, but might be preserued stedfast in all ages. He laies forth their disloyaltie then and malice, in that they durst violate the Couenant made betweene God and them, and ouerthrow the things which the Lord would haue kept sure and stedfast. This was odious: no maruell then if the earth auenge her selfe of such an impietie, by denying men their sustenance.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.2

  Mens sinnes the cause of the earths barrennesse.
• * 1.3

  The rule of a well ordered life descri∣bed.
• * 1.4

  The princi∣pall part of the word consists in the promises.
• * 1.5

  Why he calls it an euerla∣sting coue∣nant.