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. 2. As the melting fire bur∣ned, as the fire caused the waters to boile (that thou mightest declare thy name to thy aduersaries) the people did tremble at thy presence.

3. When thou didst terrible things which wee looked not for, thou camest downe, and the mountaines melted at thy presence.

* 1.1WEe may reade all this in the future tence, or in the subiunctiue. As if hee should say; Lord, if thou wouldest come downe, the peo∣ple would tremble at thy presence, thine ad∣uersaries would forthwith melt away. But I thinke it to be more natiue, as I haue turned it: for it is very sure that the Prophet alludes heere to Mount Sinai, Exod. 19.20. where the Lord manifested himselfe openly vnto the people. Hence also it appeares how vnadui∣sedly this Chapter was distinguished, seeing the contents thereof is recited for the con∣firmation of the former vvish, which should haue been placed in the beginning. We haue elsewhere seene, that when the Prophets mention the reliefes which God hath giuen to his people, they still bring in testimonies concerning the deliuerance out of Egypt.* 1.2 And as oft as they speake of this historie, they therewithall comprehend whatsoeuer bene∣fits God bestowed vpon his people: not onely when hee deliuered them from vnder Phara∣ohs tyrannie, and appeared vnto them in

mount Sinai: but that also, when by the space of 40. yeeres he furnished them in the desert with all things necessarie; who hauing subdued and wasted their enemies, did put them in quiet possession of the land of Cana∣an. [ 1] To bee short, they comprehend all the [ 2] testimonies, whereby in times past he shew∣ed himselfe gracious to his people; and ter∣rible to their enemies.

The Prophet saith, that the fire made the vvaters to boile: in regard that contrarie to their wont, fires and lightnings, were mingled with violent raines and tempests. As if hee should haue said, This fire (kindled by the Lord) was so fierce, that it melted all things, were they neuer so hard; and drunke vp euen the very vvaters.

To this appertaines that which is added touching the melting of the mountaines, be∣fore his face. For hee opened a way for his redeemed, euen thorow the greatest in∣cumbrances that they met withall. Hee saith also, that the Israelites saw things which they neuer looked for: in regard, that albeit God had aduertised them, and had ac∣quainted them with many experiments of his power; yet this terrible spectacle where∣of, he speakes, greatly surmounted their ca∣pacities and vnderstandings, yea, and all the reason of man.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A confirma∣tion of the former wish in this and in the verse following.
• * 1.2

  Note.