Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

By the name servant, some understand Isaiah: but I had rather understand it of all the Prophets, because there is here a change of the number. This name then is given particularly to the Prophets whom the Lord chose to maintain his truth: and yet I doubt not but in using the singular number he had a special and chief respect unto Christ, ¹who is the end and accomplishment of all the prophesies: and it is also very sure that he is the special witness that shall convince the whole world. But yet we must have regard to the Prophets intention, which is, to call the Jews indeed to be the Lords witnesses? and to accuse them of ingratitude if they did not frankly profess what they had heard and seen. For having had so many good lessons taught them from time to time, they could not without gross disloyalty either doubt or call into question the power and goodness of God.² Thus then he shows that the Church is picked out to bear witness to the truth of God: in which sense S. Paul calls her the pillar and ground of truth, 1. Tim. 3.15. It is her office then to publish and maintain it, so as it may be received of the posterity from age to age. Not that the Lord stands in need of such an aid, but because it is his good pleasure neither to approve nor establish the same among men by any other means.

By the name seruant, some vnderstand Isaiah: but I had rather vnderstand it of all the Prophets, because there is here a change of the number. This name then is giuen particularly to the Prophets whom the Lord chose to maintaine his truth: and yet I doubt not but in vsing the singular number he had a speciall and chiefe respect vnto Christ, ¹who is the end and accomplishment of all the prophesies: and it is also very sure that he is the speciall witnes that shall conuince the whole world. But yet we must haue regard to the Prophets intention, which is, to call the Iewes indeed to be the Lords witnesses? and to accuse them of ingratitude if they did not franckly professe what they had heard and seene. For hauing had so many good lessons taught them from time to time, they could not without grosse disloyaltie either doubt or call into question the power and goodnes of God.