John Trapp on Isaiah 6:8-9

Ver. 8. Whom ſhall I ſend] Lay hands upon no man raſhly, but with deliberation. The myſterie of the Trinity is well obſerved by ſome in the following words: as by others this, that Miniſters ſerve not men, but the only true God, Father, Son and Holy Ghoſt, 1 Cor. 4.1. 2 Cor. 5.21.

Nobis, id eſt tribus Elohim ſive perſonis ſanct. Trin. Piſcat. Who ſhall go for us?] God knew whom he would ſend, but he will have the Prophet offer himſelf: for he loveth a cheerful ſerver; and Miniſters muſt take the overſight of Gods Flock, not of conſtraint but willingly, 1 Pet. 5.2.

Here am I, ſend me] This was right: and this was wrought in him not by baſe fear of puniſhment (as we read of one Balthus a dumb man, that wandring in a Deſart,Pauſanlas. and met with a Lion, he was ſtruck with ſuch exceeding fear and trepidation, that thereupon the ſtring of his tongue was looſed, and he ſpake ever after) ſed igne Dei tactus & actus eſt. The Seraph had comforted him, and this was the effect of it. The Prophet after the touch of the live-coal, felt his gifts encreaſed, his zeal kindled, and hence his forwardneſs thus to offer God his ſervice. So ought ſuch to do as find themſelves fitted for the work: If thou haſt not Manchet, ſaid Bucer to Bradford, give the people Barly-bread, ſuch as thou canſt: it will be accepted. It is no ſmall commendation to a man to addict himſelf to the Miniſtery of the Saints, as the Houſe of Stephanus did, 1 Cor. 16.15. and to be to every good work ready, Tit. 3.1. that is, forward and forth-putting, cheerful and vigorous.

Verba indignantis. Piſcat. Ver. 9. And he ſaid, Go and tell this people] Once my people, but now no more ſo; (Loammi) but a people laden with iniquity, and ſo a people of my wrath and of my curſe, no longer owned by me, but diſavowed and abandoned, as their Fathers one were, Exod. 32.7.

Hear ye indeed, but underſtand not] This is that heavy and dreadful doom, whereunto for authority ſake, is premiſed that glorious Viſion of the Lord ſitting on his Throne, and paſſing Sentence, together with the renewed miſſion of this Prophet on ſo unpleaſing an Errand. Hear ye ſhall for a miſchief to you, but underſtand no more then the ſeats you ſit on, or the Pillars you lean againſt, becauſe ſtupified, delivered up to a Reprobate ſence.

And ſee indeed] ſc. both my Words, Jer. 2.31. and my Works, when my hand is lifted up eſpecially, Iſa. 26.11. See chap. 42.18, 19, 20.

But perceive not] ſc. that the cauſe of your calamity is your ſin, the end Repentance, the Author God: with whom therefore it is a righteous thing to puniſh you with ſpiritual blindneſs and hardneſs of heart, that ye may proceed and periſh. Now then if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant for me, as 1 Cor. 14.38. And, let him that is filthy be filthy ſtill, or Let him be yet more filthy, Rev. 22.11. Abeat in malam crucem, as a Father ſaith to his incorrigible child. See the like angry expreſſions, Ezek. 20.39, Iſa. 50.11. Pſalm 81.12, 13. Matth. 23.32, 34.