Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE now goes on and amplifies the consolation which he touched before: for as he said in the tenth Chapter, vers. 22. that of this great multitude there should remain a little handful which should cover the whole earth; so now he shows that this small number of the faithful which shall be left of this great vintage, shall rejoice notwithstanding, and sound the same so loud, that it should be heard unto the furthest regions. This is done by the preaching of the Gospel: for as touching the estate of Judea, it seemed to be overthrown, in regard that the politic government was abolished: wars without, and seditions within, had so wasted it, that it was unpossible ever to be recovered. The rest of the world also was no less dumb in uttering these praises of God, then deaf in hearing the sound thereof. Now because the Jews were the first fruits of the believers, I willingly grant that they be placed in the first rank.

HE now goes on and amplifies the consolation which he touched before: for as he said in the tenth Chapter, vers. 22. that of this great multitude there should remaine a little handfull which should couer the whole earth; so now he shewes that this small number of the faithfull which shall be left of this great vintage, shall reioyce notwithstanding, and sound the same so loude, that it should be heard vnto the furthest regions. This is done by the preaching of the Gospell: for as touching the estate of Iudea, it seemed to be ouerthrowne, in regard that the politique gouernment was abolished: warres without, and seditions within, had so wasted it, that it was vnpossible euer to be recouered. The rest of the world also was no lesse dumb in vttring these praises of God, then deafe in hearing the sound thereof. Now because the Iewes were the first fruits of ye beleeuers, I willingly grant that they be placed in the first rank.