Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 1. In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong City, salvation shall God set for the walls and bulwarks.

Vers. 1. In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Iudah: Wee haue a strong Citie, saluation shall God set for the walles and bulwarks.

The Prophet begins again in this place to show, that God will hold the people in his protection, after their return out of captivity, and that Jerusalem shall be in safety under his custody, no less then if it were con passed about with fortresses, tamparts, ditches, & double walls; so as the enemies should enter no ways to hurt it. But the time is to be noted when this song was published. The Prophet had foretold what calamities should fall upon the Church, which as yet were nothing near, but came to pass after his death. Doubtless the people might have despaired in their captivity, if these promises had not upheld them. To the end the Jews then might have some assurance of their deliverance, and in the middest of death might ⟨p. 246⟩espy life approaching: the Prophet composed this song before the troubles happened: why? that they might learn betimes to bear their miseries patiently, and to hope for better things. For it was not penned only (as I think) for a thanksgiving which the Jews should sing after their deliverance; but also that in their captivity it self, they might confirm their hearts with confidence of future comfort, and might teach their children to hope for it, leaving these promises as it were from hand to hand, to their posterity, although for the present they seemed but dead men.

THe Prophet begins againe in this place to shew, that God will hold the people in his protection, after their returne out of captiuitie, and that Ierusalē shal be insafetie vnder his custodie, no lesse then if it were cō passed about with fortresses, tamparts, ditches, & double wals; so as the enemies should enter no waies to hurt it. But the time is to be noted when this song was published. The Prophet had foretold what calamities should fall vpon the Church, which as yet were nothing neere, but came to passe after his death. Doubtlesse the people might haue despaired in their captiuitie, if these promises had not vpheld them. To the end the Iewes then might haue some assurance of their deliuerance, and in the middest of death might