Isaiah 5

Isaiah 5:1

WIll I sing] that is taken from the songs of mirth which were used in the vineyards in the time of vintage, Isa. 16. 10. and 27. 2. the meaning is, Even as friends do use to rejoyce with one another, if they have had an abundant vintage: so it is fitting for me, Isaiah, who am a servant, and as it were a friend of the bridegrooms, to sing a mournfull song, by reason of the ingratitude of Gods vineyard, and the losse of his labours and hopes. Unlesse they be God the Pathers words to his beloved Sonne, who is the Lord of, and Heire to the Vineyard, which is his Church A vineyard] an ordinary expression signifying the Church, by reason of the excellency of the Vineyard above other fields, of her lowly and feeble condition in respect of fruit-trees, of the continuall neede shee hath of being watched and dressed, of the great value of her fruit, and of the little worth of her stemme, if it beat no fruit, and other such like considerations.

Isaiah 5:2

Wilde grapes] a figure of hypocrisie, which makes shew of piety in the outward service, without any inward vertue, goodnesse, or truth of the Spirit.

Isaiah 5:7

Oppression] the Italian, Leprosie; that is to say, malignant, inveterate, habituall, generall, and incurable times, which are the properties of a Leprosie. And the Prophet made choice of this word in the Hebrew, to make an opposite word to Judgement, or righteousnesse A cry] namely, of tumult or violence, or of complaining by reason of the oppression of others, wherein there i such an allusion as the former.

Isaiah 5:9

In mine eare] namely, by secret inspiration.

Isaiah 5:10

One bath] a small measure of liquid things, which was (as understanding men say) a perfect square of half a cubit every way An Ephah] a measure of drie things, of the same quantitie the bath was, being the tenth part of an Omer, Ezekiel 45:11. the meaning is, the earth shall yeeld but the tenth part of what was sown, the seasons shall be so unuitfull.

Isaiah 5:12

The work] namely, his judgements, and the preparations and wayes made to them.

Isaiah 5:14

Hell] the Italian, the grave; a poeticall description of a great mortalitie That rejoyceth] namely, that drown all their seares and cares in carnall pleasures, vers. 11. 12.

Isaiah 5:16

Sanctified] that is to say, religiously acknowledged, approved of, and worshipped as an enemie to sinne, and an upright Judge, because of his most just judgements.

Isaiah 5:17

The lambs] in the midst of this generall desolation, God shall preserve some small number of his Elect, who by reason of their mildenesse and humilitie, are likened to Lambs, for whom he shall provide necessary sustenance Strangers] the Italian, pilgrims; that is to say, that poore remainder which lieth scattered, and wandring up and down, shall be fed by the Lord in the midst of the ruines of the countrey, where the rich and mighty lived heretofore in all manner of ease and plenty.

Isaiah 5:18

That draw] that is to say, That doe through their impenitency draw the punishment justly due for their sinnes upon them, being still enticed by vain hopes, false delights, and foolish presumption Iniquity] or the punishment of it.

Isaiah 5:19

Let him make speed] words of prophane contempt and insensible security The counsell] namely, the judgements by him determined and pronounced against us.

Isaiah 5:20

That call] the Italian, That say concerning evill, it is good; either through unjust judgement, or through flattery, or by way of calumnie, or meerly out of delight in telling of lies.

Isaiah 5:24

Their root] a proverbiall kinde of speech, as Job 18. 16. and 29. 19 Amos 2:9. that is to say, Their counsels and manner of government, which are as it were the root, being vicious and wicked, cannot bring forth any good effects, which are as the increase and fruits thereof. Or they shall be deprived of the grace of God in all things they undertake, and of his blessing in the issues and successe of what they undertook.

Isaiah 5:25

The hills] an hyperbolicall description of Gods judgements, the meaning is, no high or eminent condition of state could keep them from being ruined.

Isaiah 5:26

Will life up] to call them to execute his judgements upon his people.

Isaiah 5:27

The girdle] they shall be all ready to march and performe warlike duties. Or they shall neither be base nor faint-hearted, which is signified by loose reins, Daniel 5:6. nor busie about any other work, which is signified by the loose latchet of the shoe. V. 30 If one looke] all humaue help shall faile, and all hope of comfort and aid from the Lord shall be cut off The light]namely, the day from the very morning Darkned] every thing shall be overwhelmed with horrible darknesse of calamites which shall come from God, neither shall there appeare any light of hope or comfort.