Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Whereas some think the Prophet notes out here the four quarters of the world, it hath no great likelihood.¹ And yet I reject not this opinion altogether, because it is probable, & agrees with many other texts of Scripture. First he saith, these shall come from far: then he adds some particulars, for an exposition of the general sentence. In stead of Sinis, some read Sinius: and the Hebrews themselves read it diversly. Saint Jerome ²thinks it is meant of the south part from Mount Sinai, lying towards the South. And this is the most received opinion. Others think it to be the name of a city or region, called Sins, situated towards the turning of the Sun, when it is at the highest. But these opinions make nothing for the explanation of our Prophets meaning, which is clear and manifest in it self. For doubtless he speaks of such as were far remote, and scattered in divers quarters, whether they were to be gathered in from the North parts, or beyond the seas. Isaiah then so promiseth the return from Babylon, that therewithal he also extends this prophecy to Christs time: as we may easily gather from that which we have said, Chap. 36.6. For we must still hold this principle,³ that the second birth of the Church under the Kingdom of Christ, is here described: for he not only promiseth that the Jews shall return to Jerusalem to reedify the Temple; but that those also, who before were strangers from the Church, should be gathered from out of all quarters of the world.