Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Thus he teacheth then that the faithful have none occasion at all to repine against the hand that smote them; but rather to acknowledge that God useth this as a means to procure their salvation; because otherwise they would not be brought to taste how good and gracious he is. If any desire a shorter distinction, we say in a word, that chastisements purge our sins mediately, but not immediately, for they bring us to repentance; which in its order and place, leads us to the obtaining of the forgiveness of sins.

Thus hee teacheth then that the faithfull haue none occasion at all to repine against the hand that smote them; but rather to acknowledge that God vseth this as a meanes to procure their saluation; because otherwise they would not be brought to taste how good and gracious he is. If any desire a shorter distinction, we say in a word, that chastisements purge our sinnes mediately, but not immediately, for they bring vs to repentance; which in its order and place, leades vs to the obtaining of the forgiuenesse of sinnes.

Now whereas we have translated, Behold, all the fruit shall be, &c. others read it in the genitive; Of the taking away: but I hold it better to read it in the nominative case, in which it is. The word all, is often taken for great, or abundant: he means then that there shall come a plentiful harvest as it were, by these afflictions. To be short,¹ he would have this correction to be well taken, in regard of the profit which it brings with it; that the faithful bearing of them patiently and quietly, might thereby be purged from their corruptions, and brought into the way of salvation.

Now whereas we haue translated, Behold, all the fruit shall be, &c. others read it in the genitiue; Of the taking away: but I hold it better to reade it in the nominatiue case, in which it is. The word all, is often taken for great, or abundant: hee meanes then that there shall come a plentifull haruest as it were, by these afflictions. To be short,¹