Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah goes on with the same matter still; for who is it that feels not by common experience, what need he hath ever and anon to be quickened up, by the often repetition of this and such like consolations, when adversities do press us? It is no wonder then that the Prophet insists so long upon this argument. Now from the only person of Abraham, he ascends to all his posterity, and mentions the benefits which he had done for them. I take the relative Ish, for the particle For; because he yields a reason wherefore the people were to be of good comfort in their adversities; to wit, they had felt and tasted before how good and gracious God was unto them: what cause had they then that they should not trust in him still for the time to come?

ISaiah goes on with the same matter still; for who is it that feeles not by common experience, what need he hath euer and anon to be quickened vp, by the often repetition of this and such like consolations, when aduersities doe presse vs? It is no wonder then that the Prophet insists so long vpon this argument. Now from the onely person of Abraham, he ascends to all his posteritie, and mentions the benefits which he had done for them. I take the relatiue Ish, for the particle For; because hee yeeldes a reason wherefore the people were to be of good comfort in their aduersities; to wit, they had felt and tasted before how good and gracious God was vnto them: what cause had they then that they should not trust in him still for the time to come?

The ends of the earth may be taken two ways; either that the people had bin brought from a far Country, even from the place of Abraham's nativity, or in respect that God, who hath the utmost bounds of the earth at his beck, yet vouchsafed to reach forth his hand but to one only people. He adds the far exceedings, or, excellencies; for I have so translated the word Atsilim, which others expound in the masculine, Princes, or, excellent: but there is no great difference between the one or the other: for the Prophet magnifies Gods grace, who passed by other mighty nations, and took unto himself a nation abject and obscure.¹ Some refer this taking to Egypt, whence the people were brought. For it is not unknown how glorious this kingdom was, and what good opinion the Egyptians had of their learning, antiquity, nobleness of blood, and other prerogatives. But I expound it otherwise, and refer it to the election of the people, who were taken from the middest of other nations, much more excellent then they: so as there is a comparison here between the Jews and other nations. Which Moses also shows when he saith; That they were not chosen because they were more in number then any other people; for they were the sewest,