Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

When he makes mention of the term or full end of days, let us remember that he speaks of the kingdom of Christ. We must also understand the reason why he calls this kingdom so. Until this time all things did hang in suspense, to the end the people should not rest in the estate of that time, which was but a shadow; but in the Redeemer, who was to declare unto them the substance. After Christ came then, if we will compare that time with ours, we are indeed, come to the very term of those days. But it was needful that the fathers which lived then, should with arms stretched forth endeavour to come unto Christ. And because the restoration of all things depended upon his coming, it was for good cause that they are commanded to enlarge their hope even unto that day. For it was always profitable unto them, to know that the estate of the Church should be more perfect under our Lord Jesus Christ: especially seeing they were held under shadows and figures; and yet in the mean while were subject to divers changes. Also the Lord did terrify them many ways of set purpose, that he might hold them in suspense. But the circumstance of this prophecy had a particular respect: for they might have very well have fainted in the space of four hundred years, or thereabouts, if this fullness of time should not have come ⟨p. 25⟩