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. The Seraphims stood vpon it,

euery one had sixe wings; with twaine he couered his face, and with twaine he co∣uered his feete, and with twaine he did flie.

HAuing testified that God had appeared vnto him full of maiestie and glorie; he addes that the Angels were about him, which he calles Seraphims, in regard of their feruen∣cie. Now although the etymologie of this word is well enough knowne, yet diuers rea∣sons are brought on both sides. Some af∣firme they are called Seraphims, because they burne with the loue of God: others, because they are swift as fire: others, because of their brightnes. Howsoeuer it be, the incompre∣hensible maiestie of God is set forth vnto vs in this description, as by the sunne beames, to the end in them we might learne to con∣sider and adore so admirable and excellent a glorie. Many thinke there were two Sera∣phims,* 1.1 euen as there were two Cherubims, which compassed the Arke. I willingly re∣ceiue this opinion, and yet I dare not affirme any thing, where the scripture is silent. Now in regard it is an vsuall thing in the scripture to appropriate the descriptions which are made of God, to the signes, the vse whereof was ordinarie, and the knowledge thereof familiar among the faithfull; it may be the Prophet saw such a figure. In the meane while I so continue to hold this as a probable coniecture, that yet notwithstanding I hin∣der not any to receiue a contrarie interpre∣tation, if any can bring better warrant, for Daniel saw thousands of Angels, and not two only. Dan. 7.10.

Six wings.] This figure is not without rea∣son. [ 1] For these wings thus composed, contei∣ned some mysterie, which y^e Lord would not haue whollie hidden. The two by which the Angels flie, signifie nothing else but their readinesse and nimblenesse to execute the commandements of God. And seeing the a∣nalogie of this thing is certaine and ••uident, I hope those which are not contentious will [ 2] easily agree thereunto. The other two where∣with they couered their faces, sufficientlie shew, that the Angels themselues can not beare the brightnes of Gods maiestie; yea, that they are dazled with his looke, euen as we are when we behold the sunne in his bright∣nes. And if the Angels can not beare the ma∣iestie of God, how great shall the rashnes of men be if they striue to attaine thereunto? Let vs learne then to enquire no further of God then is lawfull and expedient, in such wise as our knowledge may soberly and mo∣destly taste that which yet is very farre off from our capacitie. Yet notwithstanding the Angels do not so couer their faces as that they should vtterly depriue themselues of any sight of God, for they flie not at randon. So we also may behold God, but yet so farre foorth as the weakenes of our vnderstanding can endure. There is a little more difficultie [ 3] as touching the other two wings. For some thinke they haue their feete couered, lest they should touch the earth, and so get some soile from thence, as wee our selues and others haue been wont to doe. For euen as in wal∣king we gather dust & filth, so whilest we re∣maine vpon the earth we are infected, as with touching some contagious thing. Whence we may learne, that the faithfull shall haue no acquaintance with the Angels, vnlesse they flie aloft, being no longer glued to the earth. This is the exposition which some bring. But I am rather of their opinion who thinke these wings had a cōtrarie vse to those which were aboue rehearsed: for euen as they co∣uered their faces with wings aboue, lest they should be ouerwhelmed with the ex∣ceeding brightnes of God; so had they wings beneath, to couer themselues from our sight. Now if it be so that wee can not behold so small beames of the brightnes of God which glimmereth in the Angels but we be by and by dazled; how can we behold that most ex∣cellent and bright maiestie of God which is able to swallow vp a•• our reason? Let men learne then that they are farre remote from the perfect knowledge of God, seeing they are vnable to attain•• so farre as to the An∣gels. This exposition I take to be the best, and yet I reiect not the first.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Exod. 25.