Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Some improperly draw the verb To reign, to Gods vengeance: for albeit God reigns when he judgeth the world, yet this manner of speech linked thus together, God shall reign in Mount Zion, always notes mercy and salvation. For he speaks of the restoration of the Church: whence we gather, that these things are not accomplished but in Christ.

Some improperlie draw the verb To reigne, to Gods vengeance: for albeit God reignes when he iudgeth the world, yet this maner of speech linked thus together, God shall reigne in Mount Zion, alwayes notes mercie and saluation. For he speakes of the restauration of the Church: whence we gather, that these things are not accomplished but in Christ.

In mentioning of the Ancients he useth a figure called Synecdoche, a figure often used in scripture, taking the chief part of the Church for the whole body, and yet not without a special cause. The ancient men, ¹are here taken then not only for the Priests, but for those governors which have the oversight of manners and discipline, to wit, such as ought with wisdom and discretion to govern others. And under these names he comprehends all the people, not only because they represent the whole body, the common people being hid as it were under the shadow of their wings: but also that the faithful might have good hope of a future restoring, otherwise it were to little purpose that a scattered multitude should be left like a crazed body, or a confused lump.

In mentioning of the Ancients he vseth a figure called Synecdoche, a figure often vsed in scripture, taking the chiefe part of the Church for the whole bodie, and yet not without a speciall cause. The ancient men, ¹are heere taken then not only for the Priests, but for those gouernors which haue the ouersight of maners and discipline, to wit, such as ought with wisdome and discretion to gouerne others. And vnder these names he comprehends all the people, not only because they represent the whole bodie, the common people being hid as it were vnder the shadow of their wings: but also that the faithfull might haue good hope of a future restoring, otherwise it were to little purpose that a scattered multitude should be left like a crased bodie, or a confused lump.