Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Some refer this to the person of Isaiah, as if he satisfied himself, by depending upon that which God had revealed unto him: that is to say, as if he had now quieted and settled his mind; which indeed we ought to do after we have heard the voice of God, waiting assuredly for the accomplishment of that which is foretold us. As Habakkuk saith; I will stand in my watch-tower: Abac: 2.1. But I rather think, that the Prophet recites that which the Lord6 had revealed unto him, and that the Lord himself pronounceth this sentence with his own mouth: as if he should say, I will rest; that is, I will hold me still and do nothing: for the word also signifies to See. Now he which looks earnestly, acts nothing; but only contents himself with beholding that he sees with pleasure and delight.

Some referre this to the person of Isaiah, as if he satisfied himselfe, by depending vpō that which God had reuealed vnto him: that is to say, as if hee had now quieted and setled his minde; which indeed wee ought to doe after we haue heard the voyce af God, waiting assuredly for the accomplishment of that which is foretold vs. As Abacuk saith; I will stand in my watch-tower: Abac: 2.1. But I rather think, that the Prophet recites that which the Lord6 had reuealed vnto him, and that the Lord himselfe pronounceth this sentence with his own mouth: as if he should say, I will rest; that is, I will hold me still and do nothing: for the word also signifies to See. Now hee which lookes earnestly, acts nothing; but onely contents himselfe with beholding that hee sees with pleasure and delight.

Hereunto serves also the word Tabernacle; as if the Lord should rest himself on •he roof of an house: […] on the contrary, he is said to ascend into his judgement seat, when he avengeth himself upon the wicked behaviours of the unbelievers: for these phrases of speech are fitted to our capacity. Unless any had rather affirm, that the Prophet alludes to the Sanctuary: so as howsoever the majesty of the Lord may seem to be hidden for a time from this afflicted people, yet should not his rest be utterly without fruit. The sum of all is this; that howsoever all things should be confounded, so as one might imagine that God would meddle no more with the government of the world; yet doth he take his ease on this wise, as you would say of set purpose, even as if he were shut up, and fallen asleep in a chamber, minding to manifest the fruit of this his rest in due season.