Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 30. Even the young men shall faint, and be weary, and the young men shall stumble and fall.

Vers. 30. Euen the yong men shall faint, and be wearie, and the yong men shall stumble and fall.

BY this comparison the Prophet further enricheth that which he said before; to wit, that the power which God gives to his elect is invincible, and ever durable: for mans strength easily vanisheth; but Gods, never. It is most certain, that all the natural strength we have is from God; but for as much as men proudly attribute that as proper to themselves which he gives to all, therefore the Prophet distinguisheth between the strength which seems to flow from nature, and that, by which God especially sustains his children.¹ For in as much as the other is an universal benefit bestowed upon all the world, therefore men take no knowledge of that. Thus then he calls that the strength of men, which is a gift common to all: and that the strength of God, by which he assists us when all our strength faileth. For he here speaks of that grace of God which is called supernatural;² and saith, that it is perpetual, whereas men can have nothing of themselves but that which is transitory ••perishable; that so by this mark he may separate the Church of God from the rest of the world, and spiritual strength from that which is earthly prosperity.

BY this comparison ye Prophet further enricheth yt which he said before; to wit, yt the power which God giues to his elect is inuincible, and euer durable: for mans strength easily vanisheth; but Gods, neuer. It is most certaine, that all the naturall strength we haue is from God; but for as much as men prowdly attribute that as proper to themselues which he giues to all, therefore the Prophet distinguisheth betweene the strength which seemes to flow from nature, and that, by which God especiallie susteines his children.