Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

I Doubt not but the Prophets intent in the beginning of this verse is to comfort the Jews: who wanting this, might have thought that God had utterly forsaken and cast them off. For whereas some expound it of the affliction which the Lord would bring upon the Jews, I see no reason of it at all. But it is rather as if the Prophet should say, The Lord will always assist his Church. I know well that the hand of the Lord is also said to rest upon the reprobate, when without ceasing he continues to press them with his vengeance till he have utterly overthrown them: but hand in this place is rather taken for succour, then for corrections: for the verb, shall rest, signifies a perpetual watch and defence.

I Doubt not but the Prophets intent in the beginning of this verse is to comfort the Iewes: who wanting this, might haue thought that God had vtterlie forsaken and cast them off. For whereas some expound it of the affliction which the Lord would bring vpon the Iewes, I see no reason of it at all. But it is rather as if the Prophet should say, The Lord will alwaies assist his Church. I know well that the hand of the Lord is also said to rest vpon the reprobate, when without ceasing he continues to presse them with his vengeance till he haue vtterlie ouerthrowne them: but hand in this place is rather taken for succor, then for corrections: for the verb, shall rest, signifies a perpetuall watch and defence.

Hence we gather a very profitable doctrine, to wit,¹ that albeit God do shed forth infinite store of his benefits over all the earth, so as the unbelievers themselves have their part of them, yet notwithstanding his hand helps not continually,² neither doth it rest any where but upon his holy Mountain, that is to say, upon his Church where he is served and worshipped. We are also to observe, that Jerusalem was brought under the rod before she felt these graces:³