Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But we must note what I have oft told you before; to wit,¹ that the Prophet speaks not here of the first creation, as we be borne naturally the sons of Adam, but of regeneration, which is only proper and peculiar unto the elect, by which it comes to pass that they have place in the Church of God. And to the end men should attribute nothing to themselves, as if they had moved God hereunto, he adds, which formed thee from the womb: by which words, he sets before them that covenant which was at the first made with their fathers, in the right whereof, God had set them apart also to be his people, even before they were borne: which some refer unto the person of Jacob, because by taking his brother by the heel, he gave an excellent testimony ⟨p. 461⟩of his election: but this is constrained. I rather therefore refer it further; to wit, That the Lord showed himself liberal and bountiful unto his people from the beginning: and thus he takes away from them all boasting of merits, because he formed them at the first of his free grace, and hath still from time to time freely added new benefits to the former.

But we must note what I haue oft told you before; to wit,¹ that the Prophet speakes not heere of the first creation, as wee be borne naturally the sonnes of Adam, but of regeneration, which is onely proper and peculiar vnto the elect, by which it comes to passe that they haue place in the Church of God. And to the end men should attribute nothing to themselues, as if they had moued God hereunto, hee addes, vvhich formed thee from the wombe: by which words, he sets befote them that couenant which was at the first made with their fathers, in the right whereof, God had set them apart also to be his people, euen before they were borne: which some refer vnto the person of Iakob, because by taking his brother by the heele, he gaue an excellent testimonie ⟨p. 461⟩of his election: but this is constreined. I rather therefore referre it further; to wit, That the Lord shewed himselfe liberall and bountifull vnto his people frō the beginning: and thus he takes away from them all boasting of merits, because he formed them at the first of his free grace, and hath still from time to time freely added new benefits to the former.