Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

He goes on further and shows, that the labours of Christ and of all his servants, shall be glorious indeed; not only before God, but also before men. For howsoever they be esteemed vain and unfruitful in the beginning, yet in the end the Lord will cause them to bring forth fruit contrary to all the opinions of men. It was enough that in the first place God approved their labours: but in that he now adds, that the same shall not prove unprofitable, no not in regard of men: this ought to be as a spur to put life into them, and much to comfort their comfortless spirits. Whence it follows, that we ought to hope that the issue of that which is committed into Gods hands, shall be good, because the blessing which he promiseth to our labours, shall in the end appear; so far forth, as he sees it expedient, and for his own glory.

HEe goes on further and shewes, that the labours of Christ and of all his seruants, shall be glorious indeede; not onely before God, but also before men. For howsoeuer they be esteemed vaine and vnfruitfull in the beginning, yet in the end the Lord will cause them to bring forth fruit contrary to all the opinions of men. It was enough that in the first place God approued their labours: but in that he now addes, that the same shall not proue vnprofitable, no not in regard of men: this ought to bee as a spurre to put life into them, and much to comfort their comfortlesse spirits. Whence it followes, that wee ought to hope that the issue of that which is committed into Gods hands, shall be good, because the blessing which hee promiseth to our labours, shall in the end appeare; so farre forth, as he sees it expedient, and for his own glory.

Besides, he adds that this labour shall not only fructify among the people of Israel, but among the Gentiles also: which (blessed be our God) is now come to pass. Nay, more then that; for seeing the Jews with an obstinate hardness, became so graceless as to reject Christ; the Gentiles are now grafted into their stock. And thus Christ is appointed of God to be a light unto the Gentiles, and his salvation manifested to the utmost parts of the world.

Besides, he addes that this labour shall not onely fructifie among the people of Israel, but among the Gentiles also: which (blessed be our God) is now come to passe. Nay, more then that; for seeing the Iewes with an obstinate hardnesse, became so gracelesse as to reiect Christ; the Gentiles are now grafted into their stocke. And thus Christ is appointed of God to be a light vnto the Gentiles, and his saluation manifested to the vtmost parts of the world.