I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
Ver. 10. I have also spoken by the prophets] And not suffered you to walk in your own ways, as did all other nations, Acts 14:16. The ministry is a singular mercy, however now vilipended, critized Isaiah 30:20 .
And I have multiplied visions] Whereby I have discovered thy present sins and imminent dangers, though thou hast said, "They shall find none iniquity in me," &c. The wit of mammonists will better serve them to palliate and plead for their dilectum delictum, their beloved sin, than their pride will suffer them once to confess and forsake it, though never so plainly and plentifully set forth unto them.
And used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets] Heb. by the hand, which is the instrument of instruments (οργανον οργανων), saith the philosopher; so is the ministry of the word for the good of souls. It is called a hand, because it sets upon men's souls with the strength of God, and a certain vehemence. "Did not my word lay hold upon your fathers?" Zechariah 1:6. See Trapp on " Zec 1:6 " It is said, Luke 5:17, that as Christ was teaching the power of the Lord was present. "The gospel of Christ is the power of God," Romans 1:16; it is his mighty arm, Isaiah 53:1. Now it was ordinary with the prophets to use similitudes, as Isa 5:2 Ezekiel 16:3, which is an excellent way of preaching and prevailing; as that which doth both notably illustrate the truth, and insinuate into men's affections. Galeatius Caraeciolus, an Italian Marquis, and nephew to Pope Paul V, was converted by Peter Martyr, reading on 1 Corinthians 1:1,31. and using an apt similitude. Ministers must turn themselves into all forms and shapes, both of spirit and of speech, for the reaching of their hearers' hearts; they must come unto them in the most wooing, winning, and convincing way that may be. Only in using of similes, they must, 1. Bring them from things known and familiar, things that their hearers are most acquainted with and accustomed to. Thus the prophets draw comparisons from fishes to the Egyptians, vineyards to the Jews, droves of cattle to the Arabians, trade and traffic to the Egyptians. And thus that great apostle, 1 Corinthians 9:24, fetcheth similes from runners and wrestlers, exercises that they were well acquainted with in the Isthmian games, instituded by Theseus, not far from their city. 2. Similes must be very natural, plain, and proper. 3. They must not be too far urged; we must not wit wanton it in using them: and let it be remembered, that though they much illustrate a truth, yet theologia parabolica nihil probat. theologial comparisions prove nothing. There are interpreters of good note that read this whole verse in the future tense and make a continuation of that promise in the verse before. I will speak by the prophets, sc. in the days of the gospel, when "great was the company of those that published it," Psalms 68:11. I will multiply visions. See this fulfilled Act 2:17 cf. Joel 2:28. I will use similitudes, teach in parables, and illustrate therewith grave sentences and doctrines, as Christ and his apostles did, and as the best preachers still do, that they may thereby set forth things to the life, and make them as plain as if written with the sunbeams.