Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 19. I have not spoken in secret, neither in a place of darkness in the earth: I said not in vain unto the seed of Jacob, Seek you me. I the Lord do speak in righteousness, and declare righteous things.

Vers. 19. I haue not spoken in secret, neither in a place of darknesse in the earth: I said not in vaine vnto the seede of Iakob, Seeke you mee. I the Lord doe speake in righteousnesse, and declare righteous things.

Now he brings the people to the doctrine of the Law, because God cannot be comprehended by the sense of flesh and blood. Howsoever then he be hid from carnal reason, yet he fully manifests himself, and gives a remedy in his word, which supplies our want, to the end we should seek no further then it: were it not so, we should be left as men without any hope at all, and should utterly quail. He therefore protests, that he called us not unto him in vain, albeit his help be deferred; because that which he hath promised, is most sure.

NOw he brings the people to the doctrine of the Law, because God cannot be comprehended by the sense of flesh and blood. Howsoeuer then he be hid from carnall reason, yet he fully manifests himselfe, and giues a remedy in his word, which supplies our want, to the end we should seeke no further then it: were it not so, we should be left as men without any hope at all, and should vtterly quaile. He therefore protests, that hee called vs not vnto him in vaine, albeit his helpe be deferred; because that which hee hath promised, is most sure.

As he hath showed us clearly then whither we ought to flee, and upon what to rest, so will he let it be seen by the effects, that the hope of such as have stayed upon his word, shall not be fruitless. Hence we may see how abominable their speeches are, who affirm that a man can gather no particular assurance of his salvation