Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Object. If any shall reply, that we need not go far to be received into the Church, for we are brought into it by Baptism: I answer, the Prophet under this figure, Ans. speaks of the whole course of our life; because the redeemed of the Lord are then said to be truly come into Zion, when having ended this their pilgrimage, they enter into the possession of the heavenly life. We may therewithal also note that the more we profit in the grace of God, and prosper in the Church, the nearer we are unto him.

Obiect. If any shall reply, that we need not goe far to be receiued into the Church, for wee are brought into it by Baptisme: I answere, the Prophet vnder this figure, Ans. speakes of the whole course of our life; because the redeemed of the Lord are then said to bee truly come into Zion, when hauing ended this their pilgrimage, they enter into the possession of the heauenly life. We may therewithall also note that the more we profit in the grace of God, and prosper in the Church, the neerer we are vnto him.

By the words of joy and gladness, he means there shall be such felicity under the Kingdom of Christ, that we shall have ample matter of rejoicing. But wherein doth true joy and gladness consist? And surely the true and only way to obtain gladness▪ is to feel that God is reconciled unto us, whose favour alone is sufficient to yield us perfect felicity; yea so far, as to make us rejoice in tribulation: Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. Contrariwise, what can comfort or glad us, if God bereave us of this reconciliation? Hence we gather a sure doctrine; to wit, the faithful cannot be said to rejoice as they ought, unless they join praises unto God therewith: this spiritual joy therefore must be distinguished from carnal and profane joy and delights, into which the wicked plunge themselves: for they rejoice indeed, but the issue shows how dangerous this lasciviousness of the flesh is, when we flatter our selves in the contempt of God. It is not without good cause therefore that S. Paul calls this joy spiritual; for it consists not in the enjoying of earthly things, as in riches, honours, treasures, which perish and come to nothing in a moment; but this joy is secret, it hath his seat in the heart, and out of it can it not be removed nor taken away by any means whatsoever, though Satan endeavours with might and main upon all occasions to disturb and afflict us.