Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

IT seems the Prophet breaks off his speech to speak of Jesus Christ: but we must call to mind what we have said elsewhere: to wit,¹ that it is usual with the Prophets in promising any thing, hard to be believed, forthwith to make mention of Christ: because all the promises are confirmed in him, which otherwise would be doubtful and uncertain. All the promises are in Christ, yea, and Amen, saith Paul 2. Cor. 2.20. For what acquaintance have we with God,² unless this Mediator come between? we are so far separated from his Majesty, that we can neither be partakers of salvation, nor of any other benefit without Christ. Now when the Lord promised any deliverance to the Jews, his purpose therein was to lift up their minds far above the thing it self, that so they might conceive of better and greater things then their bodily liberty, and return into Judea.³ For these things were only as preparatives to that great redemption which they at last obtained, and which we now obtain by Christ Jesus. Yea, that grace of God that shined in the return of the people, had been imperfect, unless he had even then bin known to be the perpetual governor of his Church. We have also told you before that the deliverance out of Babylon, comprehended in it the absolute and full restoration thereof. It is no wonder then if the Prophets join this beginning of grace with Christs kingdom, for they use so to do almost in all their sermons. We must come to Christ then,