Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

IT was very needful that this should be added to the former doctrine: for whilst we converse with the wicked, they scorn our hope, and think us fools, and too simple and light of belief. You see with what scoffs our weak faith is assailed and shaken; Oh these fellows build castles in the air, and persuade themselves of the accomplishment of things impossible and unreasonable.¹ For as much as the Jews then lay open to such taunts in their banishment, it was necessary they should be fortified by such admonitions. And that this sentence might get the greater weight touching the assurance of it, he sets all profane people at nought, commanding them to stand to their cause: as men are wont to do in judgments. But in calling him the King of Jacob, he bids defiance to all the idols, and shows that he will take his peoples quarrel in hand, to the end they may know at length that he is the protector and defender of his own glory, in delivering such as are iniustly oppressed. And yet it was needful that the faithful should be fortified with an exceeding measure of faith: for in what case was the estate of the Kingdom, whilst they were detained prisoners in a strange land, and in a manner overwhelmed with calamities? That is the cause why the Prophet called them dead men, and worm Jacob, verse 14. But their hearts were sustained by this promise, in which it was affirmed, Chap. 11.1. that their root was hidden in the earth, when the people was compared to a tree hewen down by the roots: only there should come forth a rod out of the dry stock of Ishai, &c. Thus by the eyes of faith, they beheld the kingdom that was hid: for it was impossible to see it by the outward senses, no, nor to comprehend it by the light of natural reason.