Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he shows that all this shall be done for the salvation of the Church. Why so? Because the Lord provides for the safety of all such as he hath once vouchsafed to receive under his protection. That the Church then may enjoy a sure estate, Satan with all his retinue shall be brought to nought. And hitherunto tend all the administrations of Gods vengeance upon his enemies; namely; to show that he hath care of his Church. Now albeit the Prophet expresseth not the word Church in this place; yet it is evident enough, that it is she to whose heart the Lord speaks on this gracious manner. Nay this figurative manner of speech hath greater emphasis in it, then if he had in plain words called them the people of Israel: for in as much as the excellency of a vine, ¹consists chiefly in the placing and planting of it, and also depends upon the continual dressing of it: if the Church be Gods vine, we thence gather, that she cannot flourish, but by the continual §1course of his daily favour and blessing upon her. By this similitude, he also expresseth §2what singular love and affection the Lord bears unto her, as we have more fully declared in the fifth Chapter.

NOw he shewes that all this shall be done for the saluation of the Church. Why so? Because the Lord prouides for the safetie of all such as he hath once vouchsafed to receiue vnder his protection. That the Church then may inioy a sure estate, Satan with all his retinue shall be brought to nought. And hitherunto tend all the administrations of Gods vengeance vpon his enemies; namely; to shew that hee hath care of his Church. Now albeit the Prophet expresseth not the word Church in this place; yet it is euident enough, that it is she to whose heart the Lord speakes on this gracious manner. Nay this figuratiue manner of speech hath greater emphasis in it, then if he had in plaine words called them the people of Israel: for in as much as the excellencie of a vine,