Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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