Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹There is nothing contained in this verse, but that which I have alleged out of the hundred and fourth Psalm; to wit, that when God sends forth his Spirit, then the whole face of the earth is renewed, and the things which were before parched up with heat, shall begin to wax green and flourishing; even as the herbs sprout, after they have been watered by the dues from heaven. He amplifies his speech by these similitudes, and shows more plainly, that it shall be no less difficult for God to repeople his Church a new, which was barren and deformed, in regard of the woeful estate in which she was, then to give the earth power to bud, and bring forth g•asse and herbs. Moreover, albeit he speaks not properly here of regeneration: yet may we refer this sentence unto it, because he handles the doctrine of the Churches restoration,² whereof regeneration is a principal part: for God thereby repairs his image in his elect & chosen people. We might insist longer upon this matter, and lay it out more fully, but we must first labour to attain the Prophets meaning, and show the plain and native sense of his words.

¹THere is nothing contained in this verse, but that which I haue alleadged out of the hundreth and fourth Psalme; to wit, that when God sends forth his Spirit, then the whole face of the earth is renued, and the things which were before parched vp with heate, shall beginne to wax greene and florishing; euen as the hearbs sprout, after they haue been watered by the dewes from heauen. He amplifies his speech by these similitudes, and shewes more plainly, that it shall be no lesse difficult for God to repeople his Church a new, which was barren and deformed, in regard of the wofull estate in which shee was, then to giue the earth power to bud, and bring forth gasse and hearbs. Moreouer, albeit hee speakes not properly heere of regeneration: yet may wee refer this sentence vnto it, because hee handles the doctrine of the Churches restauration,