The particle Chi, is here to be read in its proper signification; to wit, For; because the Prophet gives a reason why the shame of Israel should be taken away: that is, he should have children raised up unto him again, as it were from death to life. In that the Lord calls them the work of his hands; I nothing doubt but he therein meant to express the admirable work of their redemption: for he makes those new men, (as it were) whom he adopt• and joins unto him for his children; as it is said, Psal. 102.19. The people that shall be created, shall praise the Lord: in which place the holy Ghost doth in like manner speak of the restoration of the Church.1 For there is no mention here of that universal creation of mankind, under which all good and bad are comprehended, as we have often said: but he now brings us to the knowledge of his power, to the end we should not judg• of the salvation of the Church, by viewing her present estate. Here therefore we must note divers oppositions: first, between the deformity of the Church, and her beauty or excellency between glory and shame: secondly, between the people of God, and other nations: thirdly, between the work of Gods hands, and the work of men, (for the Church can no way be reestablished but by the only hand of God:) fourthly, between her flourishing estate, and that miserable waste by which she was pitifully rent in sunder before. For he calls the middest of her a perfect restoration; by which the people shall be so reunited and joined together, that she shall not only possess the borders of the land, but ⟨p. 295⟩the middest and the chief place thereof also. Lastly he shows what the end of our redemption is,2 when he saith, That they shall sanctify his name: for we are all created to the end Gods goodness may be magnified amongst us. But because the most part of men do shun this end, God hath chosen his Church, in which his praises do sound and continue, as it is said in the Psalm 65.2. Praise waiteth for thee ô God in Zion.3 Now because many sheep in the flock grow corrupt, the Prophet assigns this office to the faithful, whom God miraculously had preserved.
THe particle Chi, is here to bee read in its proper signification; to wit, For; because the Prophet giues a reason why the shame of Israel should be taken away: that is, he should haue children raised vp vnto him againe, as it were from death to life. In that the Lord cals them the worke of his hands; I nothing doubt but he therein meant to expresse the admirable worke of their redemption: for he makes those new men, (as it were) whom hee adopt• and ioines vnto him for his children; as it is said, Psal. 102.19. The people that shall be created, shall praise the Lord: in which place the holie Ghost doth in like manner speake of the restauration of the Church.1 For there is no mention heere of that vniuersall creation of mankind, vnder which all good and bad are comprehended, as wee haue often said: but he now brings vs to the knowledge of his power, to the end we should not iudg• of the saluation of the Church, by viewing her present estate. Here therefore wee must note diuers oppositions: first, betweene the deformitie of the Church, and her beautie or excellencie betweene glory and shame: secondly, betweene the people of God, and other nations: thirdly, betweene the worke of Gods hands, and the worke of men, (for the Church can no way be reestablished but by the onely hand of God:) fourthly, betweene her florishing estate, and that miserable waste by which she was pittifully rent in sunder before. For he calles the middest of her a perfect restauration; by which the people shall be so reunited and ioyned together, that she shall not only possesse the borders of the land, but ⟨p. 295⟩the middest and the chiefe place thereof also. Lastly he shewes what the end of our redemption is,2 whē he saith, That they shal sanctifie his name: for we are all created to the end Gods goodnes may be magnified amongst vs. But because the most part of men doe shun this end, God hath chosen his Church, in which his praises do sound and continue, as it is said in the Psalme 65.2. Praise waiteth for thee ô God in Zion.3 Now because many sheep in the flock grow corrupt, the Prophet assignes this office to ye faithfull, whom God miraculouslie had preserued.
- 1See chap. 4•.7.
- 2The end of our redemption noted.
- 3Praise waiteth for the Lord, but it is in Zion.
