A17640:224
Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah
A commentary upon the prophecy of Isaiah. By Mr. John Calvin. Whereunto are added four tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Vers. 2. It shall be in the last days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared in the top•e of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.
Vers. 2. It shall bee in the last daies that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be prepared in the top•e of the mountaines, and shall be exalted aboue the hilles, and all nations shall flow vnto it.
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⟩in their minds, wherein the Church should be restored to her perfection. Therefore as the Church was ever and anon almost overwhelmed with divers tempests, so every one of the faithful laid fast hold in these dangers upon this sentence as upon a board or plank to bring them safe to the haven. In the mean while we must note, that the perfection of days, did so begin at the first coming of Christ, that it runs on still with a continual course, until he appears the second time again for our salvation.