Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But this is yet better expressed by the word body, or carcass, as if he should say, this old rottenness which it seems hath consumed the bodies of the faithful, shall hinder the Lord nothing at all to make them rise up in full beauty again. As touching the propriety of the Hebrew phrase, some translate it, With my body: others, Which are my body. Others again, supply a particle of similitude, As my body: but in regard the sense agrees well enough without adding or diminishing, let us content our selves with that which the words do plainly sound of themselves, and so had I rather take it by way of application.

But this is yet better expressed by the word body, or carcase, as if he should say, this old rottennes which it seemes hath consumed the bodies of the faithfull, shall hinder the Lord nothing at all to make them rise vp in full beautie againe. As touching the proprietie of the Hebrue phrase, some translate it, With my bodie: others, Which are my bodie. Others againe, supplie a particle of similitude, As my bodie: but in regard the sense agrees well enough without adding or deminishing, let vs content our selues with that which the words do plainely sound of themselues, and so had I rather take it by way of application.

At the least this word is added of set purpose, so as the Prophet thereby joins himself to the whole body of the Church: and thus he placeth himself in the number of those which being dead in the Lord, do notwithstanding wait for a resurrection apart. And in that he mentions himself in particular,¹ it is that he might give the more authority unto his doctrine. For he thereby shows that he spake from the heart, uttering and testifying by this his confession the fruit of his faith, according to that sentence, I believed, therefore did I speak, Psal. 116.10. 2. Cor. 4.13