Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

This verse contains a most excellent doctrine, without which the former things might seem to have been spoken in vain: for the Prophet having said that God will be our leader all our lives long, so as we shall never err nor stumble; and yet in the mean while we see our selves brought into so many extremities, that in our judgements all these promises are merely vain: when (I say) he thus exerciseth our patience, it stands us upon to wrestle manfully, and yet to hope in him notwithstanding. Of this the Prophet here gives us warning, namely, that although we always see not this smooth and goodly plain; and that the way is not made so even under our feet but that we must press through many straits, yet must we still give place unto hope and patience.¹

THis verse conteines a most excellent doctrine, without which the former things might seeme to haue been spoken in vaine: for the Prophet hauing said that God will be our leader all our liues long, so as we shall neuer erre nor stumble; and yet in the meane while we see our selues brought into so many extremities, that in our iudgements all these promises are meerely vaine: when (I say) he thus exerciseth our patience, it stands vs vpon to wrastle manfullie, and yet to hope in him notwithstanding. Of this the Prophet here giues vs warning, namely, that although we alwaies see not this smooth and goodly plaine; and that the way is not made so euen vnder our feete but that we must presse thorow many streits, yet must wee still giue place vnto hope and patience.¹

1. 1Though Gods promised assistance comes not when we would, yet must we still give way unto hope and patience.Though Gods promised assistance comes not when we would, yet must we still giue way vnto hope and patience.

By the way of the judgements, he means adversities: for so this word is often taken in ⟨p. 250⟩