Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Though Isaiah propounds nothing here but the example of Abraham: yet no doubt his meaning is to put the people in mind of all those benefits which the fathers in former times had received. As if he should say, Remember your beginning. From whence raised I up Abraham your father? Through what ways led I him? And my benefits have not ended there; for since that time, I have never ceased to fill you with all manner of blessings. When he asks, Who it is? He speaks not of one fact, but ads other mercies poured out upon them many ways, which the people were now to call to mind.

THough Isaiah propounds nothing here but the example of Abraham: yet no doubt his meaning is to put the people in mind of all those benefits which the fathers in former times had receiued. As if he should say, Remember your beginning. From whence raised I vp Abraham your father? Through what waies led I him? And my benefits haue not ended there; for since that time, I haue neuer ceased to fill you with all manner of blessings. When he asks, Who it is? He speakes not of one fact, but ads other mercies powred out vpon them many waies, which the people were now to call to minde.

Where he saith, that God called the generations from the beginning, it ought to be referred to the continual successions of the times: and the word Dor among the Hebrews signifies not only the time or age of mans life, but those also which live in the same age. And thus one age is distinguished from another, as the fathers from the children; and the grandfathers from their little ones: for our successors will call us which now live, the former, or next age: and that of our predecessors, the old time. Now because one age would consume the race of mankind if it were not supplied by the children which are borne; the Prophet shows, that God multiplies men by continual succession, that so one may supply another's room when it is empty. Whence it follows that his providence governs all ages,