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. 19. By the wrath of the Lord of hosts shall the land be darkened, and the people shall be as the meate of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

HAuing shewed that the cause of all euils proceeds from our selues, to whom they therefore ought to be imputed; hee teacheth by consequence, that God reuengeth him∣selfe iustly. For seeing men draw miseries and calamities vpon themselues, God permits them not to escape his hands. Not that hee is inclined to crueltie, (for hee is louing and gentle) but because he is iust, and cannot in∣dure the wicked. Hee expresseth the venge∣ance of God by the similitude of smoke and darkenesse, then which nothing is more hea∣uie and dolefull; because so fearefull a iudge∣ment could not well be expressed, but vnder borrowed speeches. Although it seemes hee alludes to the smoke whereof hee had spoken before. For when a fire is growne to such greatnesse, and burnes so on euery side, the brightnesse must needees be obscured by the darknesse of the smoke.

No man shall spare his brother.] In this last particle, and in the verse following, the Prophet describes by what meanes the Lord will execute his wrath after it shall bee so inflamed. For though wee discerne no enemies which might astonish vs, God can arme one of vs against another to destroy our selues. As if he should haue said, that God will not be much to seeke in bringing his venge∣ance vpon you which he hath threatned; be∣cause although others should let you alone, & not molest you, ye the can ouerthrow you euē by ciuill warres. Now it is an horrible thing and monstrous to say, that none should spare his brother: and that euery one shall deuoure his flesh. For a man neuer hated his owne flesh: Ephes. 5.19. But when God hath blinded vs, what letteth that wee should not destroy one another? And although this bee odious, yet

it comes to passe euery day. There is neither coniunction of blood,* 1.1 nor of religion, nor of the image of God, which we all beare, that can hold vs in, although euen the very hea∣then sometimes deferred to do euill, being bound with nothing else but the common band of naturall societie, because they knew that the beasts themselues agree together, taking knowledge of one another, not exer∣cising crueltie to any of their owne kinde: for one Wolfe will not eate another, neither one Beare another. It is much against nature then that men, from whom the name of hu∣manitie proceeds, should be so cruell, as to eate one an other; therein surpassing the rage of wilde beasts. This euill then can not fall out but by reason that God hath blinded them, and giuen them vp vnto a reprobate sense: for when as men are in peace, they thinke themselues free from all dangers, and feare nothing. But the Lord derides such se∣curitie, and shewes, that he will execute his wrath vpon them, euen by their owne hands, which he wil arme and prouoke against them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gen. 1.27. & 9.6.