Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

By works, he means all the good which God doth to his chosen: as if he should say; All our affairs and actions: all things which we use for our benefit in this world, in a word whatsoever, we put our hands unto. Those then who have alleged this place, to overthrow the doctrine of free will, did not well understand the Prophets meaning. I grant it is God only that works, whatsoever is good in us; so as all our uprightness proceeds only from his Spirit: but the Prophet meant simply to teach here, that we receive all the good things which we enjoy, only from the hand of God;¹ and thence concludes, that this favour shall never cease, till we be come to full and perfect happiness.

By workes, hee meanes all the good which God doth to his chosen: as if he should say; All our affaires and actions: all things which we vse for our benefit in this world, in a word whatsoeuer, we put our hands vnto. Those then who haue alleadged this place, to ouerthrow the doctrine of free will, did not well vnderstand the Prophets meaning. I grant it is God onely that works, whatsoeuer is good in vs; so as all our vprightnesse proceeds onely from his Spirit: but the Prophet meant simply to teach here, that wee receiue all the good things which we inioy, onely from the hand of God;¹ and thence concludes, that this fauour shall neuer cease, till wee be come to full and perfect happinesse.

1. 1He that hath begun a good work in us, will perfect it unto the end. Phil. 1.6.He that hath begunne a good worke in vs, will perfect it vnto the end. Phil. 1.6.

Moreover, seeing God is author of all blessings, we ought especially to be mindful of those which are chief and principal: for if we ought to acknowledge that the things which serve for our maintenance in this life, are the gifts of God; much more ought we so to do in things appertaining to the salvation of the soul. If so be then we owe thankfulness for his liberality in small things, how much more should we acknowledge his goodness in things that are high and excellent? But what need have we to object this text against the Papists, to refute their doctrine of free will, seeing they may be easily answered by other places: yea, we have infinite testimonies beside which are much more evident.