Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

In saying, that the word of the Lord is good: he first of all commends his justice, and with patience accepts of that which for the tartness of it might have driven him to swelling and impatience: for the very reprobates have sometimes confessed the fault, and yet their stubborn hearts have never bin so tamed, ⟨p. 499⟩but they have grudged against the revenging hand of their Judge. To the end that Gods threatenings may have a sweet relish therefore, it is necessarily required that we conceive some hope of pardon in the middest of Gods displeasure: otherwise, our hearts will be always so stuffed with bitterness, that nothing but gall and wormwood will proceed out of the same. But he which in his heart is persuaded that though God corrects, yet he ceaseth not still to retain the loving affection of a father;¹ such a one will not only acknowledge God to be just, but will also meekly and patiently bear his temporary severity. To be short, where the feeling of Gods love takes place, so as this principle be once fixed in our hearts, that he is our father, it shall not much dismay nor trouble us to be heaved up, or cast down, according as it pleaseth him: for faith will teach us that there is nothing more profitable then his fatherly chastisement.

In saying, that the word of the Lord is good: he first of all commends his iustice, and with patience accepts of that which for the tartnes of it might haue driuen him to swelling and impatiencie: for the very reprobates haue sometimes confessed the fault, and yet their stubborne hearts haue neuer bin so tamed, ⟨p. 499⟩but they haue grudged against the reuenging hand of their Iudge. To the end that Gods threatnings may haue a sweet relish therefore, it is necessarily required that wee conceiue some hope of pardon in the middest of Gods displeasure: otherwise, our hearts will bee alwaies so stuffed with bitternesse, that nothing but gall and wormewood will proceed out of the same. But he which in his heart is perswaded that though God corrects, yet he ceaseth not still to retaine the louing affection of a father;¹ such a one will not onely acknowledge God to be iust, but will also meekely and patiently beare his temporarie seueritie. To be short, where the feeling of Gods loue takes place, so as this principle be once fixed in our hearts, that he is our father, it shall not much dismay nor trouble vs to be heaued vp, or cast downe, according as it pleaseth him: for faith will teach vs that there is nothing more profitable then his fatherly chastisement.