Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

THE XLIII. CHAPTER.

Vers. 1. But now thus saith the Lord that created thee ô Jacob: and he that formed thee ô Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee: I have called thee by name, thou art mine.

Vers. 1. But now thus saith the Lord that created thee ô Iaakob: and he that formed thee ô Israel, Feare not: for I haue redeemed thee: I haue called thee by name, thou art mine.

WE can not well tell whether this verse depends upon the former, or is separated from it. For the Prophets (whose writings are left unto us) distinguished not their Sermons into certain Chapters, so as we should be able to define of every days Sermon. Yet me thinks this doctrine is joined to the former, so as having showed himself very angry against the Jews even to threaten their destruction, he meant now to sweeten this sharpness. For the Lord hath evermore respect to the faithful: neither is impiety at any time so overspread, but he reserves a small remnant which he keeps from falling into such extremities, because he cares for their safety, and therefore the letter Vau should be resolved into a particle adversative thus, Yet, will the Lord leave some consolation to the faithful which shall succeed. This place therefore is to be well observed,¹ for albeit the whole world should conspire to root us out, and that Gods wrath should burn on every side about us, and that we were brought to deaths door, yet if there do but two or three of the faithful remain, we ought not to despair, seeing the Lord speaks thus unto them, Fear not.