Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

I gave Egypt for thy ransom.] I mean not to expound these repetitions which the Prophet so often useth, which also are frequent in his language: for he puts, To give the ransom; and, to give in thy stead, in one and the same sense. We have told you already that the Prophet confirms the faithful, by setting these former presidents of Gods grace before them. As if he should say; You have proved long since, that the Lord hath had care of your salvation; for how was it possible for Sennacherib to bring his forces against the Ethiopians, and other nations, but that God had a purpose to spare you, and to turn the violence of your enemies against your neighbours? Seeing then that hitherunto he hath employed himself so much in your service (as it were) you have no reason to doubt of his favour for the time to come. If therefore at any time it so fall out, that our necessities shall cause us to call Gods providence or his promises into question, let us remember what mercies he hath bestowed upon us in times past:¹ for he may justly condemn us of exceeding unthankfulness, if having received so many favours from him, we yet stand in doubt of his good will towards us for hereafter.

I gaue Egypt for thy ransome.] I meane not to expound these repetitions which the Prophet so often vseth, which also are frequent in his language: for hee puts, To giue the ransome; and, to giue in thy stead, in one and the same sense. Wee haue told you already that the Prophet confirmes the faithfull, by setting these former presidents of Gods grace before them. As if he should say; You haue proued long since, that the Lord hath had care of your saluation; for how was it possible for Sennacherib to bring his forces against the Ethiopians, and other nations, but that God had a purpose to spare you, and to turne the violence of your enemies against your neighbours? Seeing then that hitherunto hee hath imploied himselfe so much in your seruice (as it were) you haue no reason to doubt of his fauour for the time to come. If therefore at any time it so fall out, that our necessities shall cause vs to call Gods prouidēce or his promises into question, let vs remember what mercies he hath bestowed vpon vs in times past:¹ for hee may iustly condemne vs of exceeding vnthankfulnesse, if hauing receiued so many fauours from him, wee yet stand in doubt of his good will towards vs for hereafter.