Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

IN this verse he exhorts the children of God unto patience, that they might continue to bear their miseries and afflictions quietly, as also to remain invincible against all the sharp temptations, which as it seemed should overwhelm them. There was great need of this exhortation therefore: for the pitiful case into which the poor people were soon after brought, seemed in all outward appearance to be far off from the promise which was formerly made unto them. The Prophet then like a tender hearted ⟨p. 259⟩nurse, takes this troubled people by the hand as it were, who otherwise knew not what shift to make, and carries them aside into a secret place to lodge them in safety, till these stirs and hurly burlies were appeased. Now whereas he calls them my people, he speaks in the person of God, and not in his own.

IN this verse hee exhorts the children of God vnto patiēce, that they might cōtinue to beare their miseries and afflictions quietly, as also to remaine inuincible against all the sharpe temptations, which as it seemed should ouerwhelme them. There was great need of this exhortation therefore: for the pitifull case into which the poore people were soone after brought, seemed in all outward appearance to bee farre off from the promise which was formerly made vnto them. The Prophet then like a tender hearted ⟨p. 259⟩nurse, takes this troubled people by the hand as it were, who otherwise knew not what shift to make, and carries them aside into a secret place to lodge them in safetie, till these stirres and hurly burlies were appeased. Now whereas he calles them my people, he speakes in the person of God, and not in his owne.

By chambers, he means a quiet and peaceable state of conscience: to wit, when with boldness of courage and confidence, we arm our selves with patience, in waiting for the coming of the Lord: as Habakkuk, who having foretold what calamity should befall the Jews, professeth that he stands all day upon his watch-tower: that is to say, in a place of safety, to expect the event in patience and silence. Isaiah commands them to do the like here: as if he should say; You that are the servants of the Lord, get you into your chambers, or into some other sequestered place, when you feel your selves assaulted with such temptations as you are not able to resist.