Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 6. Hereafter Jacob shall take root, Israel shall flourish and grow, and the world shall be filled with fruit.

Vers. 6. Hereafter Iacob shall take roote, Israel shall flourish and grow, and the world shall be filled with fruit.

Now he shows by the effects, what this love is whereof he spake in the former verses. For the better understanding whereof, we must consider the estate of this ancient people which was Gods heritage: not by their deserts, but by the benefit of the free adoption. The Lord had just cause to be angry with them, so far forth as to cast them wholly out of his sight, and to root them clean out. But he refrained his anger,¹ because he had to do with his vine and inheritance. For his only meaning was, that the people should acknowledge their fault, and by that means return into favour with him. And this is the cause why he adds this promise to the former, lest the people should despair, by being overmuch feared with this power of God, from which these rods and chastisements were threatened ⟨p. 264⟩to proceed.² For it is easy to slip into desperation by the sense of Gods judgement, if there be not some hope left us of mercy.

NOw hee shewes by the effects, what this loue is whereof he spake in the former verses. For the better vnderstanding whereof, wee must consider the estate of this ancient people which was Gods heritage: not by their deserts, but by the benefit of the free adoption. The Lord had iust cause to bee angrie with them, so farre forth as to cast them wholly out of his sight, and to roote them cleane out. But hee refrained his anger,¹ because hee had to doe with his vine and inheritance. For his onely meaning was, that the people should acknowledge their fault, and by that meanes returne into fauour with him. And this is the cause why hee addes this promise to the former, lest the people should despaire, by being ouermuch feared with this power of God, from which these rods and chastisements were threatned