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. 20. He feedeth of ashes: a se∣duced heart hath deceiued him, that hee cannot deliuer his soule, and say; Is there not a lie in my right hand?

THis verse againe confirmes the former sentence. To feede of ashes,* 1.1 signifies as much as to be repleat with ashes: as, to feede vpon winde, Hos. 12.1. signifies to bee filled with winde; for the same may be said of the one, that is said of the other. As on the con∣trary, Thou shalt feede the truth; Psal. 37.3. for thou shalt be saciate with truth: that is to say, filled. Others againe expound, Thou shalt administer spirituall foode: others, Thou shalt feede faithfully. But I had rather follow the first interpretation. Heere his meaning is to say, that men are swollen indeed, but in the meane while they are windie and emptie: for they are onely stuffed with vanity, which hath no stedfastnesse in it. And therefore they ra∣ther burst with pride, then by being any way satisfied with good nourishment.

Afterwards he comprehends both the for∣mer points againe; to wit, that they see nothing, because they are intangled with deceitfull baits; and yet that they wittingly and wil∣linglie cast themselues into these snares of vanitie. The Prophet insists long vpon this matter, to shew that nothing pusheth for∣ward these Idolaters, and the superstitious sort to commit these outrages, but their own

free will. What reason haue they then to lay the blame vpon others, seeing the cause of these euils proceedes altogether from them∣selues? which euils they will needes retaine and carefully nourish within them. They ad∣uance themselues in wonderfull pride against God, they are repleat with a false opinion of their owne superstitions: in a word, all vnbe∣leeuers are readie to burst with pride. Let vs in the meane while feed vpon the solid meate of sinceritie and truth, and let vs beware we suffer not our selues to be misled by any such delusions.

Notwithstanding he taxeth them (iustly) you see, for pleasing themselues in so foule a vice: for who is it that wil pardon such a care∣lesnesse, as is ioined with the losse of mens soules?* 1.2 We see how busilie men bestir them, when the naturall life is in ieopardie: stands it not vs much more in hand then, to awaken men out of the slumber of their soules, which are in danger of eternall damnation; especi∣ally if wee may doe it by putting forth our hand in pulling them out?

Moreouer, it is said that he deliuers his soule, which by repentance escapes out of Satans nets. And in that sense we are said to saue one another, when we bring men that haue erred into the right way by our holy admonitions. Whence comes it then that Idolaters runne head••ong into perdition?* 1.3 Because they take the bridle in their teeth, and wilfully rush in∣to the same, euen as the horse rusheth into the battell.

Lastly, in the end of the verse hee shortly shewes, the meane whereby men may reco∣uer themselues out of this danger; to wit, in considering their owne vvorkes, without flatte∣ring of themselues:* 1.4 for he that pleaseth him∣selfe in his error, and inquires not whether he doth well or no, such a one shall neuer be able to deliuer his owne soule. As for example, our Papists will not examine vpon what rea∣son their diuine seruice is grounded, but con∣tent themselues to couer such a beastlinesse vnder the cloake of simplicitie; as if God meant to haue a Church of rude asses, or as if hee had not commanded vs to distinguish betweene that seruice hee accepts, and that which he reiects: or as if hee had not commanded vs diligently to search what his good and acceptable will is, lest we should in∣differently allow darknesse for light, and sower for sweete. For these things must bee examined by the touchstone of his written word:* 1.5 which if we shall doe, it shall be easie for vs to escape out of the dangers; if not, then let vs lay the cause of our ruine vpon our selues. Why so? Because our meaning is to perish wilfully, in regard wee will not suffer our selues to be brought into the right way, or will not beare the words of exhortation.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Another confirmatiō.
• * 1.2

  Men busie themselues tooth and naile for the matters of this naturall life.
• * 1.3

  The cause that plun¦geth Idola∣ters i••••o p••rdition.
• * 1.4

  Note.
• * 1.5

  To the law and to the testimonie. Chap. 8.