Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 18. For thus saith the Lord (that created heaven, God himself that formed the earth, and made it: he that prepared it, he created it not in vain: he formed it to be inhabited) I am the Lord, and there is none other.

Vers. 18. For thus saith the Lord (that created heauen, God himselfe that formed the earth, and made it: he that prepared it, he created it not in vaine: he formed it to be inhabited) I am the Lord, and there is none other.

This verse serves to confirm that which was said before,¹ for the Prophet would have the Jews fully resolved, that the Lord at last would work their deliverance, albeit they were a long while oppressed under a miserable servitude; and therefore some by the earth, understand the land of Judea: but I rather take it to be an argument taken from the less to the greater, as we said before in the 12. verse; to wit, That seeing Gods providence reacheth generally over all his creatures, by so much the more doth it extend it self to those whom he hath adopted for his children, in regard he hath a special care over them. Thus stands the Prophets argument² then, Seeing God hath created the earth that men should inhabit it, much more hath he made it a place of abode for his Church; which he esteemeth more then of all creatures besides: If he hath settled the earth upon her foundations, in giving it a certain form, and in ordaining it to a certain use and end, that men might be nourished and sustained with the fruits it bringeth forth; no doubt but he hath given it to his children in the first place, ³and that in a sovereign degree of honour above others. I grant we see not this come always thus to pass, and therefore our minds must be framed to be upheld by hope, that so we may stand firm and invincible against all sorts of temptations. In a word, the Church of God shall stand as long as the foundations of the earth remain, for it shall be established before God, as the Sun and Moon in the firmament,