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. 16. For ye haue said, No, but we will flee a ray vpon horses, therefore shall yee flee: Wee will ride vpon the swiftest, therefore shall your persecutors be swifter.

HE shewes how they would by no meanes quietlie wait for the saluation of y^e Lord, for they chose rather to haue help from the Egyptians. But there is heere a goodly mee∣ting together of words, whereby he turnes against themselues their owne speeches that were so full of vaine confidence: for in the first place he takes the word to flee, to escape, and in the second place, to take their flight. The Iewes said it was much better for them to preuent the present danger in fit and con∣uenient time, and therefore promised them∣selues good successe if they vsed the aid of the Egyptians. Truly saith Isaiah, I denie not but you shall flee, yet not for your safetie; for you shall turne your backs vpon your enemies, and shall be pursued of horses much swifter then your owne.

But wee shall perceiue yet more cleerely what vice it is which Isaiah here taxeth the Iewes withall, by their presumptuous answer, No: to wit, that they obstinatlie refused to yeeld obedience to that counsell which God gaue them by his Prophets, and thought it

safer for them to prouide for their owne de∣fence by some other meanes. Thus in con∣temning God, they esteemed the false con∣ceit touching the meanes of their saluation, which they had forged in their owne heads, (before that which he had prescribed them.)

Let vs in any wise therefore turne away our eyes from beholding present things, and from relying vpon humane helpes, that so we may wholly depend vpon God; for then wee shew whether we trust in him or no indeede, when outward means faile vs. I grant it is ve∣rie lawfull for vs to vse the things of this life: but alas, wee are of such a crooked na∣ture, that in vsing of them, for the most part wee leaue and forsake God, and wholly abuse those his good gifts. Besides, we are to obserue how wofull their end is, who trust more in outward helpes then in God. For all things must needes goe backward, and fall out against their expectations: for example, wee see that whilest these Iewes imagined to saue themselues, they are constrained to flee away with shame and disgrace, and in the meane while did themselues no good at all. It may so fall out, I grant, that things may haue some outward shew of good successe in the begin∣ning; but it is onely to the end, that the change when it comes, might bee the more cumbersome and heauier to beare. Isaiah de∣nies not but Egypt might afford them some helpe: but withall he telles the Iewes, that God would finde meanes enough so to crosse and ouerthrow that helpe, that they should no way escape his hand. For though the whole world should doe their vtmost, yet shal they neuer be able to defeat God of that which he hath determined.

Notes

• Horrible presumption to oppose our no, to Gods yea.
• To trust in God whilest outward helps faile vs, manifests that we haue faith. A hard mat¦ter to vse this world as if we vsed it mot. All things must of necessitie succeed ill with them that trust more in the creature, then in the Creator. An heritage is hastily gooten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed. Pro. 20.21.