Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But it is not without cause our Prophet adds, that the way shall be holy. For where there is much concourse of people, vices and corruptions have their swing on every side. How could it be avoided then, but these ⟨p. 352⟩great troupes must needs pollute the land, yea, and infect one another with a mutual contagion. The Prophets meaning is then, that not only the land, but the minds of men should be purged and renewed by the benefit of Christ, that both the one and the other which in times past were wont to be profaned by their uncleanness, should now be sanctified. And yet we must keep that in mind which I have touched before, to wit, that the Jews whose way shall be made holy, should return into their country again to serve their Redeemer therein. As if he should say, The land shall be purged from those filthy sinks which in times past were in it, that it may be inhabited by the true servants of God.

But it is not without cause our Prophet addes, that the way shall be holy. For where there is much concourse of people, vices and corruptions haue their swinge on euery side. How could it bee auoided then, but these ⟨p. 352⟩great troupes must needs pollute the land, yea, and infect one another with a mutuall contagion. The Prophets meaning is then, that not only the land, but the minds of men should be purged and renued by the benefit of Christ, that both the one and the other which in times past were wont to be prophaned by their vncleanes, should now be sanctified. And yet we must keepe that in minde which I haue touched before, to wit, that the Iewes whose way shall be made holy, should returne into their countrie again to serue their Redeemer therein. As if he should say, The land shall be purged from those filthie sinkes which in times past were in it, that it may be inhabited by the true seruants of God.

He ads also a more ample exposition when he saith, that no polluted shall pass by this land now hallowed by the Lord for his children. As if he had said, God will so separate the faithful from the profane, that they shall no more be mingled one with another: and this doubtless was to be esteemed as one of the principal blessings that the Church received. But this is not accomplished in this life, for hypocrites and contemners of God intrude themselves pell mell into the Church, and many times hold great places in it: and yet we may see some sign of Gods favour this way, when he takes off the scum from his Church by divers means;