Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

When he calls Abraham Justice, it is not to magnify him, but to show that God put upon him that person which appertained to the whole Church: for his calling was not to be esteemed as that of a private person, but therein God showed a testimony of his eternal justice, which is common to all the faithful. As if he should say; In the person of this good Patriarch, the Church was once delivered, that by means thereof, she might hold this for a principle; to wit, that her salvation §1and Gods justice should never be turned §2back to the worlds end. For in this one man, §1we may behold the vocation of all the faithful, §2the form of a Church, and the beginning §3and end of our salvation. In a word, Abraham is as a mirror of Gods justice, as long as it shall shine in this world. This word justice therefore serves to amplify the matter; for it was a wonderful work of God to raise up justice fro the east, where all things were corrupt and defiled with abominable superstitions. Hath God then showed so rare an example of his power and goodness? why should we not wait for the same still?

When he calles Abraham Iustice, it is not to magnifie him, but to shew that God put vpon him that person which appertained to the whole Church: for his calling was not to be esteemed as that of a priuate person, but therein God shewed a testimonie of his eternall iustice, which is common to all the faithfull. As if he should say; In the person of this good Patriarke, the Church was once deliuered, that by meanes thereof, she might hold this for a principle; to wit, that her saluation §1and Gods iustice should neuer bee turned §2backe to the worlds end. For in this one man, §1we may behold the vocation of all the faithfull, §2the forme of a Church, and the beginning §3and end of our saluation. In a word, Abraham is as a mirror of Gods iustice, as long as it shal shine in this world. This word iustice therefore serues to amplifie the matter; for it was a wonderfull worke of God to raise vp iustice fro the east, where all things were corrupt and defiled with abominable superstitions. Hath God then shewed so rare an example of his power and goodnesse? why should we not wait for the same still?