Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Wherein consists true felicity then? In having obtained forgiveness of sins, and in feeling sensibly, that all the good things we receive from God, are so many pledges of his fatherly good will towards us. Learn we also, that it is impossible to please him, or be accounted among the number of his children, unless he cease to impute our sins unto us. There is nothing then but free reconciliation alone, which can make us well pleasing in his sight; nor nothing but that, which can make way for his love to be shed abroad in our hearts.

Wherein consists true felicitie then? In hauing obtained forgiuenesse of sinnes, and in feeling sensibly, that all the good things we receiue from God, are so many pledges of his fatherly good will towards vs. Learne we also, that it is impossible to please him, or be accounted among the number of his children, vnlesse hee cease to impute our sinnes vnto vs. There is nothing then but free reconciliation alone, which can make vs well pleasing in his sight; nor nothing but that, which can make way for his loue to be shed abroad in our hearts.

Now albeit we be continually under the cross,¹ yet that breaks not off the promise; for the faithful content themselves with this comfort and consolation in the middest of all their afflictions; to wit, that God is their God, and ceaseth not to hold them for his deer children, though he correct them. For being regenerate by his Spirit, they begin to taste of that happiness which Adam enjoyed in full measure before his fall: but being burdened with many sins, therefore have they need of a continual washing:² and yet God so tempers his bitter potions, that he supports their infirmities still. He also lets them see that he hath a care of their welfare, by moderating the sharpness of his stripes, if he do not at once set them free. It is not without cause then you see, that our Prophet exempts the renewed Church from common miseries, because they carry in them a stamp of Gods curse.