Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah goes on with the same argument, that the people might conceive a better hope in their mind, touching their estate & condition, when they should see themselves afflicted under so many tedious calamities. And the rather to confirm his saying, he calls God, who promised to perform these things, the redeemer of Israel. But may some object; Object. How can these things stand together; that God should be called the redeemer of his people, whom he suffered to be overwhelmed with miseries? For where was this redemption and sanctification become, seeing the people had just cause to complain of their poverty and calamities? I answer, Ans. that the memory of that which had fallen out long before, is here propounded and set before them, to minister unto them matter of hope and trust. For the Jews being pressed with despair, the Prophet prevents it by advertising them, that that God which in times past had delivered their fathers, is now no less almighty then he was then. Albeit then for a time, he withdraw the light of his countenance from them, to exercise and try their faith, yet he commands them not to cast away their confidence, because their certain and full redemption is in his hands: and yet they were herein to look far above the reach of humane reason. This therefore is a very excellent place:¹ out of which we may gather how carefully we ought to believe God when he speaks, albeit he do no forthwith accomplish that which he hath promised, but suffers us to languish under afflictions a long time.

ISaiah goes on with the same argument, that the people might conceiue a better hope in their minde, touching their estate & condition, when they should see themselues afflicted vnder so many tedious calamities. And the rather to confirme his saying, hee calles God, who promised to performe these things, the redeemer of Israel. But may some obiect; Obiect. How can these things stand together; that God should bee called the redeemer of his people, whom he suffered to be ouerwhelmed with miseries? For where was this redemption and sanctification become, seeing the people had iust cause to complaine of their pouertie and calamities? I answere, Ans. that the memorie of that which had fallen out long before, is heere propounded and set before them, to minister vnto them matter of hope and trust. For the Iewes being pressed with despaire, the Prophet preuents it by aduertising them, that that God which in times past had deliuered their fathers, is now no lesse almightie then he was then. Albeit then for a time, hee withdraw the light of his countenance from them, to exercise and trie their faith, yet hee commands them not to cast away their confidence, because their certaine and full redemption is in his hands: and yet they were heerein to looke farre aboue the reach of humane reason. This therefore is a very excellent place: