Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

And this exposition suits better then if by the word place, we should expound that he should come forth of heaven; for Isaiah meant to express somewhat more. The Prophets when they make any mention of heaven they therewithal present before us the glory and majesty of God: but our Prophet in this place respects our capacity, that is to say, when we feel that God who in times past seemed to be far off, and hidden out of our sight, doth at the last appear for our comfort. He also hath used a particle demonstrative, and a participle of the present tense for the greater certainty of the matter; as also to the end the faithful might not think much to bridle their passions by patience till his coming forth.

And this exposition sutes better then if by the word place, we should expound that he should come forth of heauen; for Isaiah meant to expresse somewhat more. The Prophets whē they make any mention of heauen they therewithall present before vs the glorie and maiestie of God: but our Prophet in this place respects our capacitie, that is to say, when we feele that God who in times past seemed to be farre off, and hidden out of our sight, doth at the last appeere for our comfort. He also hath vsed a particle demonstratiue, and a participle of the present tence for the greater certentie of the matter; as also to the end the faithfull might not thinke much to bridle their passions by patience till his comming forth.

Hitherunto appertains that which he ads touching the visiting of iniquity: for it were contrary to his nature who is the Judge of all the world to suffer wicked men to give over themselves to all wickedness without impunity. There is in the verb, to visit, a similitude well enough known: for we think that God either sees not at all, or else is busied about some other matters when he withholds or defers the execution of his judgements be it never so little a while.

Hitherunto appertaines that which he ads touching the visiting of iniquitie: for it were contrarie to his nature who is the Iudge of all the world to suffer wicked men to giue ouer themselues to all wickednes without impunitie. There is in the verb, to visit, a similitude well enough knowne: for we thinke that God either sees not at all, or else is busied about some other matters when he withholds or deferres the execution of his iudgements be it neuer so little a while.