Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹The verb Comfort therefore is to be applied to the present time, which being twice repeated, not only confirms the truth of the prophecy, but also sets forth the power and efficacy of it: as if he should say, in this message there shall be a full, perfect, and perpetual occasion of gladness.

¹The verb Comfort therefore is to be applied to the present time, which being twice repeated, not only confirmes the truth of the prophesie, but also sets forth the power and efficacie of it: as if he should say, in this message there shall be a full, perfect, and perpetuall occasion of gladnes.

1. 1Comfort ye, comfort ye.

But especially they were to retain the future tense, will your God say? for in these words there lies hid a close opposition between that doleful silence whereof I have spoken, and that comfortable doctrine which came in place of it.

But especiallie they were to retaine the futurtence, will your God say? for in these words there lies hid a close opposition betweene that dolefull silence whereof I haue spoken, and that comfortable doctrine which came in place of it.

This prophecy is like to the complaint of the Church, Psal. 74. We see not our signs, our Prophets are not, and there is none left that can tell us how long: in which we know she laments, as one left destitute of true consolation, because she could hear no promise of comfort in her distresses. The Prophets meaning in this place then is, The Lord will not suffer you to be left destitute of Prophets which shall comfort you in your extreme adversity: for then he will raise up men to whom he will give that commission which you have so long desired, and then will he show he hath care of you.