Vers. 8. The way of peace they know not, and there is none equitie in their go∣ings: they haue made them crooked paths: whosoeuer goeth therein, shall not know peace.
SOme take this word peace, too nicely, for peace of conscience, in respect that the wicked are euermore vexed. But the Pro∣phet so brings them to Gods iudgement, that yet in the meane while by transgressing the second table, he shewes that there was nei∣ther faith nor charitie in them. In a word, that they were void of affection. The way of peace (saith he) they know not. Why so? Be∣cause their wooluish minds had bereaued them of this Justice and equitie; which two vertues vphold humane societie, and cause men to dwell quietly and friendlie one with another. For iustice and integritie nouri∣sheth peace.* 1.1 But if euery one with furie rush∣eth violently vpon his neighbour, in offering them open wrong: there, open warre is pro∣claimed. For wee can by no meanes main∣taine peace in the midst of vs, vnlesse euerie one in particular squares al his doings by the rules of equitie.
He expresseth this more fully by the word iudgement. As if he should say,* 1.2 wheresoeuer they came, they were a terror to all; because they had cast off all vprightnesse. The last member may be taken two waies, either that whosoeuer walkes in them, shall also be farre off from peace: Or, He which falles into the hands of the vvicked shall feele their cruelty and mur∣therous minds. Both expositions may agree well, and (as I thinke) we need not much con∣tend about it. And therefore after the Pro∣phet hath spoken generally before, and shewed, that the fault was not in God, that the Iewes prospered no better in their enter∣prises; now he descends to the particulars, wherein he more fully declares how they had reuolted from God, and so made themselues vnworthie of his fauour.
But here ariseth a difficultie, [Obiect.] in regard that Saint Paul alleageth this place in the Epi∣stle to the Rom. 3.17. to condemne all flesh as vicious, corrupt, and vtterlie void of any thing that is good. But contrariwise it seemes the Prophet applies it in particular to the men of his time. But the answere [Ans.] is easie. For when he directs his speech to the Iewes, who were reputed as pettie Saints in respect of others, of necessitie the Gentiles must all come within this rancke. If any obiect, [Obiect.] that the Gentiles in liuing iustly were a law vnto themselues, and that their vncircumcision is counted to them for vncircumcision.