Vers. 24. Doth the Plowman plow all the day to sow? Doth he open and breake the clots of his ground?
THis place is vsually expounded, as if God taxed the people of ingratitude, in re∣gard that hee had plaied the part of an hus∣bandman with his ground, and had left no cost or paines vnbestowed; but yet had not receiued that fruit which he expected. And thus the Iewes expound it; whom both Greekes and Latins haue followed: but the Prophet meant another thing. For he ioynes this doctrine with vers. 22. in which hee had threatned that the destruction of Iudah, or of the whole earth was reuealed vnto him: and therefore now addes, that God doth not alwaies stretch out his arme, neither doth he euer keepe one rate in punishing the rebel∣lions of man, but often times winkes thereat, and defets his iudgements for a time. This patience of the Lord the wicked abuse, ta∣king the greater libertie thereby to sinne; as Salomon well sheweth; that is,* 1.1 because all things fall out alike both to good and bad, and that the most desperate wretches doe prosper, when the faithfull in the meane while are subiect to many miseries; yea often to greater then the very reprobates and cast∣awaies: In a word, when the vngodly per∣ceiue no difference (in outward appearance) to be put betweene the godly & themselues, they either thinke there is no God at all, or else that things are gouerned by the disposi∣tion of blind fortune. Isaiah answers to this on this manner; Know you not that God hath the times and seasons in his owne power, and that hee hath skill enough to dispose of his matters in all ages? If the Plowman be not al∣way plowing his ground, nor breaking of his clots, is any man therefore to taxe him of ig∣norāce? Is it not his wisdome rather that cau∣seth him for a time to cease?* 1.2 For what should a man doe in turning vp the ground conti∣nually, but trouble himselfe to no purpose, vnlesse it were to hinder the growth of his corne? Much lesse may God bee said then to doe things at random, or without iudgement; for he knowes how and when to performe his worke.