Isaiah 21:12

The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

Ver. 12. The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night.] This is a short and sharp answer - q.d., say it be yet morning with you and clear day; yet, as sure as the night followeth the day, a change will come such as whereof you shall have small comfort. a

If ye will inquire,] sc., Of the Lord by me, whom you call watchman, in disdain; but I profess myself to be so - that is, to be a prophet, and do take it for an honour.

Inquire ye.] Do it seriously, and not sarcastically. "Be not ye mockers, lest your bonds be increased." Isa 28:22

Return.] To God by true repentance.

Come.] Come over to us who are his people. And all this is delivered by an elegant Asyndeton b in short and quick terms, importing that haste must be made if the aforementioned danger shall be prevented. Habent aulae suum cito, cito; they must be nimble that shall find favour in the court of heaven. It is an unsafe thing always to begin to live. How many are taken away in their offers and essays before they have prepared their hearts to cleave to God! Castigemus ergo mores et moras. Up, therefore, and be doing, that the Lord may be with you.

a Non omnium dierum sol occidit. Nescis quid serus vesper vebat.

b A rhetorical figure which omits the conjunction.