This consolation is added in very good season, in regard that the faithful might have been utterly discomforted with the news of such an horrible waste, and might doubt in themselves how the covenant of God could stand fast in this so great a ruin of the people. For there is great difference between these two things, that the people shall be as the sand of the sea for multitude, and yet notwithstanding that they shall be so rooted out by an horrible ruin, that there shall be no dignity nor glory at all remaining in those that shall escape, no, not so much as a glimpse of any name. Isaiah therefore according to his custom, as also the rest of the Prophets, prevents the mischief in due time, and moderates the terror by adding this consolation, to the end that the faithful should assure themselves, that notwithstanding all these things, the Church shall be saved, and that by this means they should fortify their hearts in good hope. Even as then in the second Chapter he disputed touching the restoring of mount Zion, so now also he promiseth, that a new Church shall spring up, even as a bud or sprig shooteth up in the field, which was undressed before. They do commonly expound this place of Christ: and so much the rather is this opinion received, as it seemeth to have some colour by the sentence of Zechariah; 1Behold a man whose name is Branch. Which is also further confirmed, in that our Prophet speaks not barely of this branch, but with addition, of honourable: as if it had been the meaning of the Prophet to speak of the Divinity of Christ. And after when the Prophet adds the fruit of the earth, they refer that to his humane nature. But when we shall consider all things advisedly, I doubt not but he taketh the bud of the Lord, and the fruit of the earth, for an abundance of most ample and unwonted grace, which abundance shall recreate the affamished: for he speaks even as if the earth after a waste should be so barren and dry, that it should never promise any bud to come out of it, thereby to cause the grace of God to be the more longed for in so sudden a fruitfulness, as if seared and barren fields should bring forth grass beyond all hope.
THis consolation is added in very good season, in regard that the faithfull might haue bene vtterly discomforted with the newes of such an horrible waste, and might doubt in themselues how the couenant of God could stand fast in this so great a ruine of the people. For there is great differēce betweene these two things, that the people shall be as the sand of the sea for multitude, and yet notwithstanding that they shall be so rooted out by an horrible ruine, that there shall be no dignitie nor glorie at all remaining in those that shall escape, no, not so much as a glimpse of any name. Isaiah therefore according to his custome, as also the rest of the Prophets, preuents the mischiefe in due time, and moderates the terror by adding this consolation, to the end that the faithfull should assure themselues, that notwithstanding all these things, the Church shall be saued, and that by this meanes they should fortifie their hearts in good hope. Euen as then in the second Chapter he disputed touching the restoring of mount Zion, so now also he promiseth, that a new Church shall spring vp, euen as a bud or sprig shooteth vp in the field, which was vndressed before. They do commonly expound this place of Christ: and so much the rather is this opinion receiued, as it seemeth to haue some colour by the sentence of Zachary; 1Behold a man whose name is Branch. Which is also further confirmed, in that our Prophet speakes not barely of this branch, but with addition, of honorable: as if it had been the meaning of the Prophet to speake of the Diuinitie of Christ. And after when the Prophet addes the fruit of the earth, they referre that to his humane nature. But when we shall consider all things aduisedly, I doubt not but he taketh the bud of the Lord, and the fruit of the earth, for an abundance of most ample and vnwonted grace, which abundance shall recreate the affamished: for he speakes euen as if the earth after a waste should be so barren and dry, that it should neuer promise any bud to come out of it, thereby to cause the grace of God to be the more longed for in so sudden a fruitfulnes, as if seared and barren fields should bring forth grasse beyond all hope.
- 1Zach. 6.12.
