Vers. 18. Oh that thou haddest hear∣kened to my commandements! Then had thy* 1.1 prosperitie been as the flood, and thy righteousnesse as the waues of the sea.
IN regard the people might haue complai∣ned of their being led captiue, the Prophet to preuent such grudgings,* 1.2 shewes the cause why it came to passe; namely, because they re∣iected the doctrine of saluation, without rea∣ping any benefit by it. No doubt but he had respect to Moses his song, where there are al∣most the same words repeated. Oh that they were wise, then they would consider their latter end! Deut. 32.29. The particle Lu heere, signifies a wish, Oh that, or, Would to God. But the Lord not onely complaines that the Iewes lightly esteemed the good and profitable things offerd them: but he also bewailes their miserie, as a father doth that of his children. For he takes no pleasure in afflicting vs,* 1.3 nei∣ther would he shew himselfe seuere, but that wee constraine him thereto by our froward∣nesse. God then is heere moued vvith compas∣sion in beholding their ruin, who had rather wittingly perish, then to be saued: for he was readie to haue dealt all sorts of blessings li∣berally amongst them, if they by their owne rebellion, had not repelled and put him backe.
Now it were preposterous to enter into Gods secret counsell,* 1.4 and to inquire where∣fore himselfe made not the externall word effectuall vpon them, by the worke of his ho∣lie Spirit. For the question is not heere of his power; but mans rebellion is heere onely reproued, that they may be left without ex∣cuse. Truely as oft as God calles vs to him∣selfe by his word, there is a full and absolute