Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

TO the end hypocrites should not think that any fruit of these promises did appertain unto them, and lest they should boast in vain, he threatens that they shall perish, although God redeem his Church. For hypocrites are always mingled amongst the faithful: and which more is, they thrust themselves into the chiefest places, valuing the Church according to the outward form and show thereof, audaciously drawing whatsoever God hath promised, unto themselves. But the Prophet plucks this trust (if it may be so called) from them, because it proceeds from nothing else but pride of heart, and a vain persuasion. Here therefore is diligently to be considered, with what wisdom and discretion the faithful Teachers have need to be endued withal, for the comfort of the good, that they may refresh their minds with some consolation; and preserve them from fainting, and from being discouraged, whilst they terrify the wicked with the judgements of God. On the contrary also the faithful being stayed by the promise of God, and that the wicked seek to wrest it to themselves, and lift up their crests with a vain confidence, we must then keep this order and mean, that we give the wicked no occasion to become proud and insolent: as also that the faithful be no whit out of heart, nor discouraged: as Isaiah doth here in this place. For having spoken of the redemption of the Church, he threatens the obstinate and wicked, and denounceth their ruin, to the end they might not think, these benefits of God did any thing at all belong unto them. Now although he judgeth the wicked to perdition, yet by this comparison he amplifies the grace of God towards the faithful: the which should then be the better perceived, when God should heal those that were his, whilst the wicked in the mean while should perish, as it is said in the 91. Psalm, vers. 7. Again, he also moderates the sorrow which might disquiet the hearts of the faithful, for the wast of the Church; for he admonisheth them that the whole body could not otherwise be healed unless the corruption which was in it, were cut off.