Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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, ⟨p. 400⟩and in a manner half dead: this consolation had no great efficacy, till they saw some evident signs of their return.

Now to amplifie this their ioy, he vseth the plurall number; Comfort yee: thereby shewing, that he will not send one or two, but many by troopes; which also came to passe indeed: wherein also we may more cleerly behold the infinite loue and mercy of God. Moreouer, it is diligently to be obserued, that the verbe is put in the future tence; will your God say. Which some expositors translate in the present tence, or in the preterperfect tence; but therein they both change and corrupt the sense: for the Prophet closly notes out the time wherein the people should be greeuously afflicted, as if God had not seene them at all. For howsoeuer the Lord at that time left them not destitute of hope touching their deliuerance, by sending some Prophets vnto them; yet in regard he deferred them long, and that whilest they were miserably persecuted, ⟨p. 400⟩and in a maner halfe dead: this consolation had no great efficacie, till they saw some euident signes of their returne.