Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

This is the conclusion of the former sentence, for he comforts the people, to the end they should not despair in this poor and woeful estate into which they should be brought. It is also needful to note the time unto which these things ought to be referred, to wit, to the time of the captivity when the Temple was overthrown, the sacrifices abolished, so as it seemed religion was wholly rooted out, and all hope of deliverance taken from them. There was great cause therefore why the hearts of the people should be sustained and upheld by these prophesies, to the end that the wrack and ruin of all things being come upon them, they might have this plank (as it were) to save themselves from Ship-wrack, upon which if they kept themselves firmly, they might by means thereof come safe to the shore. By this let us be warned also to embrace the like promises by faith, and when all things shall seem desperate, yet let us rest upon them with our whole hearts.

THis is the conclusion of the former sentence, for he comforts the people, to the end they should not despaire in this poore and wofull estate into which they should be brought. It is also needfull to note the time vnto which these things ought to be referred, to wit, to the time of the captiuitie when the Temple was ouerthrowne, the sacrifices abolished, so as it seemed religion was whollie rooted out, and all hope of deliuerance taken frō them. There was great cause therefore why the hearts of the people should be susteined and vpheld by these prophesies, to the end that the wrack and ruine of all things being come vpon them, they might haue this planck (as it were) to saue themselues from Ship-wrack, vpon which if they kept themselues firmely, they might by meanes thereof come safe to ye shore. By this let vs be warned also to imbrace the like promises by faith, and when all things shall seeme desperate, yet let vs rest vpon them with our whole hearts.

Now he speaks of the house of Jacob, in which we are to note, that the virtue of Gods word is perpetual, and of such efficacy, that it brings forth fruit as long as there is a people in the world which adores and stands in awe of him. For there are always some whom God reserves, because he will not suffer the race of the faithful to perish.