Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE both confirms and expounds the former sentence:¹ for he shows, that the Lord will suffer no impediment stand in his way to hinder him from redeeming and restoring of his Church, when it seems good unto him. These words may well be translated in the imperative, so as the Lord should make the whole verse a charge given to the Prophets to prepare and make plain the way, but the difference is not very material: let it suffice us to have his meaning, which is, that Gods hand shall prevail•, though many difficulties and lo•• […] come in the way to hinder this deliverance. Thus we may see that many hindrances present themselves as often as God once begins to work for the salvation and succour of the afflicted:² wherein notwithstanding his glory shines so much the more; neither is it any way hurtful for us. For his admirable power is manifested before our eyes, seeing all the forces, enterprises, and imagination of mans brain can never so hinder, but that his decree must of necessity come to pass: for he will bring his servants as easily over mountains, and through rough ways, as if they passed through even and smooth ways. It is certain that by mountains and hills, the Prophet under a figure means all sorts of obstacles: for Satan never ceaseth plotting how to hinder our salvation. For when the matter concern our spiritual deliverance, no doubt but these words comprehend in them all inward and outward impediments,