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. 12. Therefore will I number you to the sword, and all you shall bow downe to the slaughter, because I cal∣led, and yee did not answere; I spake, and yee heard not,* 1.1 but did euill in my sight, and did chuse that thing that I would not.

THe Prophet alludes to the number of gods, whereof hee spake in the former verse: and shewes, that the Lord will easilie comprehend their great numbers; for he will number them to the sword. By this it is euident that hee spake not in the former verse of the two planets, Iupiter and Mercurie,* 1.2 as some imagin; but in not satisfying themselues with one God onely, they gathered together an armie of Idols.

Their coniecture is friuolous, who by the word Meni, which we haue translated, Num∣ber, vnderstand Mercurie, because Mena sig∣nifies to number; and that Mercurie was the god of the Merchants,* 1.3 who haue their bookes of accounts. For the Prophets meaning is plaine enough, in that he shewes the people shall be numbred to the sword, because they reioiced in an heape of gods, and refused to rest vpon the onely true God.

Because I haue called.] He amplifies the great∣nesse and hainousnesse of this reuolt, in re∣gard the Iewes sinned of a set malice, and ra∣ther against knowledge, then of ignorance. For they had been often taught and instru∣cted, but they insolently reiected all admoni∣tions. In which respect, they were much lesse excusable then those to whom the Prophets were not sent. For as no man aliue can pre∣tend any cause of ignorance;* 1.4 so yet the Iewes much lesse, and those to whom the word of the Lord hath been published: who for this cause shall haue a sharper sentence of con∣demnation pronounced against them then, and shall be more seuerely punished then a∣ny other.

Hee sets downe the meanes of this call; namely, that hee had exhorted them by his Prophets. For by the clause, I spake; hee re∣peates one and the same thing twice, accor∣ding to the custome of the Hebrewes, as wee noted before.

To hearken to the Lord, is to obey his word: for it were to little purpose to lend an eare, vnlesse vvee follow that which the word pro∣pounds vnto vs. For otherwise, what diffe∣rence is betweene vs and the Asse, who wags his eares? God will be heard with the heart, Prou. 23.26. As for a fained audience, he vtterly reiects it. Now he shewes the cause why they would not come at his call; surely they stop∣ped their eares against wholsome doctrine. For the beginning of obedience, is to bring with vs a desire to learne.

Before mine eies, is as much to say, as before my face: which phrase of speech, he vsed a lit∣tle before. Euery man sinnes before the eies of the Lord, neither can any auoid his pre∣sence. But it is properly said that we sinne be∣fore his eies,* 1.5 when being called by him, wee stand not in awe of his sacred presence: for he is neerest to those whom he calles by his Prophets: yea, to such it may be said, that he shewes himselfe visibly. Therefore so much the more detestable is their impietie, and wor∣thy

of the more stripes, who as it were with whorish foreheads despise God, who in such familiar manner summons and calles them vnto him.

Now by the latter end of the verse it ap∣peares that the Iewes are not condemned for any enormous sinnes; but chieflie in respect of their new found deuotions, by which they corrupted the seruice of God. For albeit they were forward enough in hunting after their forged sacrifices, thinking thereby to obtaine Gods fauour; yet himselfe pronoun∣ceth that he abhorres all such endeuours; because there is nothing but pollution ther∣in. It is not permitted to euery one then to follow that which seemes good in his owne eies;* 1.6 but we must haue an eie to that which God approues of, and not turne therfrom, no not an haires breadth. Well, we see that this vice hath not raigned in one age onely, namely, that men haue followed their fond appetites; and haue worshipped their owne inuentions in stead of God: when the que∣stion hath been touching his pure seruice. But how great delight soeuer men take here∣in, sure it is the Lord protests that hee con∣temnes and abhorres it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, before mine eies.
• * 1.2

  Iupiter and Mercurie.
• * 1.3

  Mercurie, god of the Merchants.
• * 1.4

  No man can pretend ig∣norance.
• * 1.5

  Who is said to sinne in Gods eies.
• * 1.6

  We must not follow that in Gods ser∣uice which seemes good in our eies.