Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But to the end his words might have the more efficacy, and might indeed come near the heart, he brings in God raising up new Prophets: whom he commands to sweeten and assuage the dolours of his people, by an amiable consolation. The sum is,¹ that after these poor banished exiles shall have seemed to have been forsaken for a time, that Gods favour and loving kindness shall break forth, as out of the darkness; and the prophecies which were ceased, should then be brought to light again.

But to the end his words might haue the more efficacie, and might indeede come neere the heart, he brings in God raising vp new Prophets: whom hee commands to sweeten and asswage the dolours of his people, by an amiable consolation. The summe is,¹ that after these poore banished exiles shall haue seemed to haue beene forsaken for a time, that Gods fauour and louing kindnesse shall breake forth, as out of the darknesse; and the prophecies which were ceased, should then be brought to light againe.

1. 1The sum of this prophecie▪The summe of this prophecie▪

Now to amplify this their joy, he useth the plural number; Comfort ye: thereby showing, that he will not send one or two, but many by troops; which also came to pass indeed: wherein also we may more clearly behold the infinite love and mercy of God. Moreover, it is diligently to be observed, that the verb is put in the future tense; will your God say. Which some expositors translate in the present tense, or in the preterperfect tense; but therein they both change and corrupt the sense: for the Prophet closely notes out the time wherein the people should be grievously afflicted, as if God had not seen them at all. For howsoever the Lord at that time left them not destitute of hope touching their deliverance, by sending some Prophets unto them; yet in regard he deferred them long, and that whilst they were miserably persecuted,