Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 3. And in that day shall the Lord give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the sore bondage wherein thou didst serve. 4. Then shalt thou take up this proverb against the king of Babel, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased? and the gold-thirsty Babel rested?

Vers. 3. And in that day shall the Lord giue thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy feare, and frō the sore bondage wherein thou didst serue. 4. Then shalt thou take vp this prouerb against the king of Babel, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased? and the gold-thirstie Babel rested?

He adds a confirmation to the former promises:¹ and thus God useth to provide for our weakness, because it is very hard for us to give credit to his word; but especially then when things are troubled. And yet the Lord will this way prove the steadfastness of our faith, when he ceaseth not to promise us salvation, and yet all hope thereof shall be quite and clean cut off from us. He confirms this with many words, that so casting off all doubt, we should not cease to rest our ⟨p. 154⟩selves upon his gracious free promises, how desperate so ever things seem to be. And herewithall also he exhorts the Jews to acknowledge, and never to forget so excellent and memorable a work of God. Now of set purpose he makes express mention of the yoke and bondage; thereby to teach the Jews, that the Lord would take away all these impediments when it pleased him; and that nothing should let him to deliver his people, as soon as he saw occasion.² Let us apply this doctrine to our use now, even in this miserable servitude and vile bondage of Antichrist, under whom poor Christians are holden. For albeit they be environed and enclosed on all sides in his nets and snares, yet have they God for their deliverer, who will easily overcome all manner of difficulties and impediments. And this may also be refered to all vexations, miseries, and troubles.