Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

By the word number, he signifies that God hath this army always at a beck. Soldiers you know love to be wandering this way and that way, and the Captain cannot easily get them by and by together, though he cause the trumpet to be sounded; neither can he forthwith put them in array being assembled. But it is far otherwise with God, he hath always his soldiers at a beck, yea by number: that is to say, he knows the tale of them, so as none absents himself.

By the word number, hee signifies that God hath this armie alwaies at a becke. Souldiers you know loue to be wandring this way and that way, and the Captaine cannot easilie get them by and by together, though hee cause the trumpet to be sounded; neither can hee forthwith put them in aray being assembled. But it is far otherwise with God, hee hath alwaies his souldiers at a becke, yea by number: that is to say, he knowes the tale of them, so as none absents himselfe.

He calls them all by their names.] This sentence is in so many words contained in Psal. 147. Some expound it as if God knows the number of the stars, which to us is unknown: but David and Isaiah both meant another thing; to wit, that God makes the stars to serve his turn at his pleasure, as if one ⟨p. 414⟩should call his servant by his name to set him about some business: and in the same sense it will be said hereafter, Chap. 45.1. that the Lord called Cyrus by name, because he used him as his servant to set his people at liberty. In a word, by this he notes a great readiness and obedience, when he which is called by his name, answers to it by and by.

He calles them all by their names.] This sentence is in so many wordes contained in Psal. 147. Some expound it as if God knowes the number of the starres, which to vs is vnknowne: but Dauid and Isaiah both meant another thing; to wit, that God makes the stars to serue his turne at his pleasure, as if one