Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he repeats one and the same thing twice, that he might touch men to the quick for §1their unthankfulness: for we are wont either §2to take unto our selves, or in some sort to obscure the honour which belongs to God only. Those take the Prophets words in too naked a sense, which think that God attributes unto him here the authority and preeminence in pardoning of sins, for he rather opposeth his mercy to all other causes, as if he should say, There is nothing moves me to show mercy, but only my free favour, and that Redemption therefore is wrongfully attributed to Merits or satisfactions, seeing I am the only author of it. The sum is, that the people were to continue their hope of return, because God was willing for his own names sake freely to remit their sins, and to work their deliverance.

Now he repeates one and the same thing twice, that he might touch men to the quick for §1their vnthankfulnes: for we are wont either §2to take vnto our selues, or in some sort to obscure the honour which belongs to God only. Those take the Prophets words in too naked a sense, which thinke that God attributes vnto him here the authoritie and preheminence in pardoning of sinnes, for he rather opposeth his mercie to all other causes, as if he should say, There is nothing moues me to shew mercie, but only my free fauour, and that Redemption therefore is wrongfullie attributed to Merits or satisfactions, seeing I am the only author of it. The summe is, that the people were to continue their hope of returne, because God was willing for his owne names sake freely to remit their sinnes, and to worke their deliuerance.

¹In this place then there is handled the doctrine of the remission of sins. It now remains to see upon what occasion: for there is no doubt but the Prophet promiseth deliverance in regard of Gods free grace. And for this cause he rather spake of forgiveness of sins,