verse with a breath, thus; Truth is fallen, and was made a pray, in refraining it selfe from euill. But I see no reason why they haue ac∣cepted of this sense. Saint Ieroms expositi∣on (which I also haue followed) is much bet∣ter, and more agreeable. This phrase of speech is very frequent in Scriptures, as wee see in Iob 1.1. of whom it is said, that he was an vpright and iust man, fearing God, and es∣chewing euill. Salomon also saith, Prou. 14.16. That a foole rageth; but the wise man fea∣reth; and departeth from euill. Well, the Pro∣phets meaning is, that all honest courses were so hated and abhorred, that the small rem∣nant of the faithfull could not liue in safetie. As if he should say, Whosoeuer meane in these times to haue societie with men, must of ne∣cessitie be as wicked as they: according to the old prouerbe; Hee must howle amongst vvolues: but he that will refraine from euill, shall be de∣uoured of the wolues like a poore sheepe. Truly hee heere expresseth the height of im∣pietie: for he shewes that truth vvas so fal••en, that no honest man durst conuerse amongst them. Why so? Because whosoeuer refrained himselfe from euill, did by and by fall into the iawes of Lions.
And the Lord savv it.] This tends to the consolation of this people: for his meaning is, that notwithstanding this peoples obstina∣cie wich in a manner seemed irremissible, yet God would tender their welfare. And howsoeuer for a time he had seuerely puni∣shed them, yet would he at last thinke vpon his couenant: so as in curing their euils, hee would restore vnto them incredible comfort. He speakes heere of the time to come, and promiseth that a day will come after all these calamities, that God would send some re∣liefe to the remnant of his inheritance: for the Iewes had been left destitute of all hope, if the Lord had not added this consola∣tion.
Take a view heere then after what sort men are wont to plunge themselues into contrarie vices. Are they reproued? then ei∣ther they grow stubburne, or being surprized with terrors, they fall into despaire. We are therefore carefully to obserue our Prophets [ 1] course which he heere takes: for in the first place it was needfull that the Iewes should be sharply rebuked, that so being touched and humbled by repētance, they might cease [ 2] to murmure or repine against God. In the se∣cond place he promiseth them a moderation of their chastisements, with hope of deliue∣rance, that they should not faint, but wait for the Lords helpe, who neuer suffers his Church to perish: for he so corrects his cho∣sen for a time, that hee will neither forsake, nor vtterly consume them.
If any had rather restraine this discontent and displeasure of God to his iudgement, in re∣gard that hee iustly condemned and abhor∣red this wicked people; I gainsay him not. As if hee should haue said; God saw nothing in this people but matter of hatred: whence it followes, that he had no other motiue to send them reliefe, but onely because hee saw that things were brought to vtter ruine.