Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now in regard that he also sets before them this sign as a token that God was reconciled unto them, he therewithal advertiseth them, that the restoration of the Church flows only from his free grace, who can abolish barrenness as soon as it pleaseth him in his favour to distil some sweet dues from above: yea, that he can do it in an instant, because at the first he created all things of nothing, as if they had been before.

Now in regard that he also sets before them this signe as a token that God was reconciled vnto them, he therewithall aduertiseth them, that the restauration of ye Church flowes only from his free grace, who can abolish barrennes as soone as it pleaseth him in his fauor to distill some sweet dewes from aboue: yea, yt he can do it in an instant, because at the first he created all things of nothing, as if they had been before.

The expositors do diversly translate the latter part of this verse, where he compares the desert to Carmel: but as I have showed in the 29. Chapter vers. 17. where there is the like phrase of speech, it seems to me that the Prophet simply sets forth the effect of this restoration: to wit, that the abundance of all things shall testify that God is indeed appeased towards his people. For the places which were deserts before should be as Carmel, which was a fat & fruitful soil, whence also it took his name.

The expositors doe diuerslie translate the latter part of this verse, where he compares the desert to Carmell: but as I haue shewed in the 29. Chapter vers. 17. where there is the like phrase of speech, it seemes to me that the Prophet simplie sets forth the effect of this restauration: to wit, that the abundance of all things shall testifie that God is indeed appeased towards his people. For the places which were deserts before should be as Carmell, which was a fat & frutefull soile, whence also it tooke his name.