Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 4. For Jacob my servants sake and Israel mine elect, I will even call thee by thy name, though thou knowest not me.

Vers. 4. For Iaakob my seruants sake and Israel mine elect, I will euen call thee by thy name, though thou knowest not mee.

HE shows the reason why Cyrus shall prosper thus happily in all his enterprises, even for the conservation of Gods people. As if the Lord should have said, Thou shalt obtain a glorious victory, but it shall be more in respect of mine elect, then of thee: for, for their sakes it is that I have subdued kings and nations under thine obedience. By these prophesies then the Prophet meant to comfort the Jews, lest they should despair in the midst of so many calamities: and yet no doubt he also meant to teach Cyrus that he was beholding to the Jews for all his conquests, that by means hereof he might be inclined to use them with the better respect.

HE shewes the reason why Cyrus shall prosper thus happily in all his enterprises, euen for the conseruation of Gods people. As if the Lord should haue said, Thou shalt obteine a glorious victorie, but it shall be more in respect of mine elect, then of thee: for, for their sakes it is that I haue subdued kings and nations vnder thine obedience. By these prophesies then the Prophet meant to comfort the Iewes, lest they should despaire in the middes of so many calamities: and yet no doubt he also meant to teach Cyrus that hee was beholding to the Iewes for all his conquests, that by meanes hereof he might be enclined to vse them with the better respect.

In the second part of the verse there is a repetition which amplifies the reason very ⟨p. 477⟩