Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 10. Behold, I have fined thee but not as silver: I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

Vers. 10. Behold, I haue fined thee but not as siluer: I haue chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

¹The Lord shows, that he used such measure in correcting his Church, that therewithal he provided for their salvation. In the former verse he said that he spared, or would spare them, because he respected his glory: now he shows that he hath chastised them in deed, yet so, that he did it for their good; for he corrected them, to fine them, but we are not wont to try and fine that which we mind to cast away: seeing then he had none other end, it follows that he did it to procure their benefit and salvation thereby. Besides, he mentions this trial by way of prevention, lest any should object, that Gods love little appeared in so sharp afflictions. The Prophet, I say, doth in fit season prevent such a conceit, & tells them, that God hath skill enough to correct his Church in mercy, and yet not utterly to forsake her.

¹THe Lord shewes, that he vsed such measure in correcting his Church, that therewithall he prouided for their saluation. In the former verse he said that he spared, or would spare them, because he respected his glorie: now he shewes that he hath chastised them in deed, yet so, that he did it for their good; for he corrected them, to fine them, but we are not wont to trie and fine that which we mind to cast away: seeing then he had none other end, it followes that he did it to procure their benefit and saluation thereby. Besides, he mentions this triall by way of preuention, lest any should obiect, that Gods loue little appeared in so sharp afflictiōs. The Prophet, I say, doth in fit season preuent such a conceit, & tels them, that God hath skill enough to correct his Church in mercie, and yet not vtterly to forsake her.

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