Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now Isaiah shows that this shall not come to pass by means of men; but by the grace of God, which is the only builder of this throne. Wherefore to him only must we attribute this mercy, and acknowledge that it is of his free goodness that he hath established this sacred throne in the middest of us. Now the Prophet confirms it very well in saying, that the cause must be sought no where else, but in the mere mercy of God. This is a grounded trueth: for God was not moved thereto by the worthiness of any merits; alas they were of no value to set up that throne again which was fallen down by the sin and iniquity of the people: but seeing those whom he had adopted, had undone themselves, he meant to show a token of his infinite bounty in their restoration.

Now Isaiah shewes that this shall not come to passe by meanes of men; but by the grace of God, which is the onely builder of this throne. Wherefore to him onely must we attribute this mercie, and acknowledge that it is of his free goodnesse that he hath established this sacred throne in the middest of vs. Now the Prophet confirmes it very well in saying, that the cause must be sought no where else, but in the meere mercie of God. This is a grounded trueth: for God was not mooued thereto by the worthinesse of any merits; alas they were of no value to set vp that throne againe which was fallen downe by the sinne and iniquitie of the people: but seeing those whom he had adopted, had vndone themselues, he meant to shew a token of his infinite bountie in their restauration.

Shall sit upon it in steadfastness.] There is almost no one word here which hath not his weight, so as this verse is worthy to be continually remembered. I grant indeed there is an allusion here in the word Tabernacle, ¹as some do expound it: to wit, that he was as a common person before he was called to sit in the royal throne. For the Prophet meant to decipher out a lively image of the Church, which is far unlike the thrones of kings and princes; neither shines it with gold, silver, or precious stones as they do. Now howsoever he proposed the spiritual kingdom of Christ under a base and abject resemblance: yet he therewithal admonisheth, that it shall be prepared, and set up among men in the earth. For if it had been only said that the throne of Christ should be set up; it might have been demanded whether his seat should be set up in heaven or in earth.