Because the particle Ci, hath divers significations, we may conjoin this verse with the former, thus; But yet the Lord will have pity upon Zion: and so it should show how much the condition of the Church differeth from that which he described before. But I had rather take it for a particle rendering the cause; and that indeed agrees best to this place, as in many other texts: so as the sense shall be this; God shall destroy Babylon, because he shall have compassion of Jacob; whom he can neither despise nor reject. Whence we perceive, that the Prophet hath endeavoured hitherto, to assuage the sorrow of this poor people; to the end they might learn to be of good comfort in those their afflictions, which God would at §1length avenge. Thus Babylon & the Church of God are here set before us as in a glass: Babylon (I say) exalted in her sovereign power, who had so oppressed the poor and desolate Church, that she was utterly past hope (in a manner) that ever she should be §2restored again. But the Lord tumbling Babylon down from her high seat, therein witnesseth, that he hath care over his people, •ow abject or contemptible soever they seem to be.1 From hence we may gather a sweet consolation, when we see that God thus governs all the world for our salvation. For all things aim to this end, that the elect may be saved; and not overwhelmed by any changes how many soever befall them. Quest. But some will ask, whether mercy and compassion ceased to be in God for a time? Ans. Doubtless it continued in him always: but the people which were so grievously afflicted felt it not. For being forepossessed with the sense of his wrath, they judged of themselves according to the outward appearance, and were not able to apprehend his mercy. And yet was the Lord ever like himself notwithstanding, & never left his merciful nature.2 Thus then we must distinguish between the understanding or knowledge of faith, and experience: for whilst the signs of Gods indignation appear on all sides, in regard that (according to the judgement of the fl•sh) we think he is angry; so his grace is hidden from us: yet faith §1notwithstanding lifts up our hearts above §2all darkness, to the end we may behold God in heaven, who is favourable towards us.
BEcause the particle Ci, hath diuers significations, wee may conioyne this verse with the former, thus; But yet the Lord will haue pitie vpon Zion: and so it should shew how much the condition of the Church differeth from that which he described before. But I had rather take it for a particle rendring the cause; and that indeed agrees best to this place, as in many other texts: so as the sense shall be this; God shall destroy Babylon, because he shall haue compassion of Iacob; whom hee can neither despise nor reiect. Whence wee perceiue, that the Prophet hath indeuoured hitherto, to asswage the sorrow of this poore people; to the end they might learne to be of good comfort in those their afflictions, which God would at §1length auenge. Thus Babylon & the Church of God are here set before vs as in a glasse: Babylon (I say) exalted in her soueraigne power, who had so oppressed the poore and desolate Church, that shee was vtterly past hope (in a manner) that euer shee should be §2restored againe. But the Lord tumbling Babylon downe from her high seate, therein witnesseth, that he hath care ouer his people, •ow abiect or contemptible soeuer they seem to be.1 From hence we may gather a sweet cō solation, when wee see that God thus gouernes all the world for our saluation. For all things aime to this end, that the elect may be saued; and not ouerwhelmed by any changes how many soeuer befall thē. Quest. But some will aske, whether mercie and compassion ceased to be in God for a time? Ans. Doubtlesse it continued in him alwaies: but the people which were so greeuously afflicted felt it not. For being forepossessed with the sense of his wrath, they iudged of themselues according to the outward appearance, and were not able to apprehend his mercie. And yet was the Lord euer like himselfe notwithstanding, & neuer left his mercifull nature.2 Thus then we must distinguish betweene the vnderstanding or knowledge of faith, and experience: for whilest the signes of Gods indignation appeare on all sides, in regard that (according to the iudgement of the fl•sh) we thinke hee is angrie; so his grace is hidden from vs: yet faith §1notwithstanding lifts vp our hearts aboue §2all darkenesse, to the end wee may behold God in heauen, who is fauourable towards vs.
- 1Note this consolation.Note this consolatio•.
- 2We must distinguish between faith• apprehension, and experience.
