Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

As concerning the fruit which may happily redound unto you thereby, it is best your self should learn it by your own experience in reading of him: and yet I have touched that also a little in the preface. There is only one thing which I have determined to say unto your Majesty, (and this it is:) After the Prophet hath laid forth Gods just complaints against this so unthankful a people, and hath threatened the Jews with such chastisements as their disloyal revolt, and desperate obstinacy deserved; namely, that the time approached, wherein they should be brought to an horrible ruin: forthwith coming to set forth the new and incredible restoration of the Church, he promiseth that God will so respect the same, that in despite of all her enemies, she shall always flourish in beauty, and happiness. Those which returned from the captivity of Babylon felt this joyous and blessed estate, when the sacrifices being again newly erected, they might conceive some good hope of greater benefits, then those which they then enjoyed: as when we behold the break of day, we expect the Sun-rising soon after. But when Christ the sun of righteousness appeared with his glory in his Gospel, the thing it self greatly surpassed all that which had been highly praised by the Prophets revelations.

As concerning the fruite which may happily redound vnto you thereby, it is best your selfe should learne it by your owne experience in reading of him: and yet I haue touched that also a little in the preface. There is only one thing which I haue determined to say vnto your Maiestie, (and this it is:) After the Prophet hath laid foorth Gods iust complaints against this so vnthankfull a people, and hath threatned the Iewes with such chastisements as their disloyall reuolt, and desperate obstinacie deserued; namely, that the time approched, wherein they should be brought to an horrible ruine: foorthwith comming to set foorth the new and incredible restauration of the Church, hee promiseth that God will so respect the same, that in despite of all her enemies, shee shall alwaies flourish in beauty, and happinesse. Those which returned from the captiuitie of Babylon felt this ioyous and blessed estate, when the sacrifices being againe newly erected, they might conceiue some good hope of greater benefits, then those which they then enioyed: as when we behold the breake of day, wee expect the Sunne-rising soone after. But when Christ the sunne of righteousnesse appeared with his glorie in his Gospell, the thing it selfe greatly surpassed all that which had been highlie praised by the Prophets reuelations.