Vers. 11. Behold, all that are of the fellowshippe thereof shall bee confounded; for the workemen themselues are men: let them all be gathered together, and stand vp, yet they shall feare, and be con∣founded together.
* 1.1HEe not onely rebukes the workemen and forgers of Idols, but all Idolaters, who are so blind and senslesse, as to inclose the power of God within a truncke of wood, as soone as it hath but receiued a new forme. His meaning is then, that the arts men should not onely be punished for their presumption, but those also which shall be companions with them in their superstitions. These shall not escape: for it is good reason that both being guiltie of the same crime,* 1.2 they should both receiue like iudgement. Now they cannot by anie meanes excuse themselues, in regard they see that their Idols are vaine and dumbe, for∣ged and framed with mans hand: how can they be gods then?
Let them all be gathered.] As if he should say; Let Idolaters and their Idols combine them∣selues together; yet shall they feare and bee confounded, when they shall stand vp before Gods tribunall seat.
But it is not without cause that the Pro∣phet threatens them with feare and confusion: for Idolaters are wont proudly to aduance themselues, and to despise others. They glory much in their multitude,* 1.3 as the Papists doe now adaies; who in reproch and disdaine, e∣steeme vs but a small handfull. They inso∣lently insult ouer vs, and band themselues with wonderfull pride both against God and his word. Isaiah therefore appeales heere to the consciences of such men: for howsoeuer obstinacie and extreme rebellion of heart hath possessed them,* 1.4 yet are they constrained to tremble and quake when they are alone, crying out, What shall wee doe? especiallie when they looke towards the end of all their actions: for they haue no stabilitie whereup∣on they may boldly rest. When their rage prickes them forward, then they are audaci∣ous enough; but when they come againe to themselues, and at leasure bethinke them what they haue done, they melt away for ve∣rie feare. Their furie, pride, and multitude then, ought not to terrifie nor astonish vs.* 1.5 Why so? Because all this wil in a moment be brought to nought. Let vs not be much mo∣ued therefore at the combinations, brauadoes, and diuellish plottings of the Papists, seeing we know that all these things shall turne to their ouerthrow; for the more they ouerflow in insolency, and aduance themselues against God, the more heauie and shamefull shall their extreme fall be.