Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 17. Thy builders make haste: thy destroyers, and they that have made thee waste, are departed from thee.

Vers. 17. Thy builders make haste: thy destroyers, and they that haue made thee waste, are departed from thee.

HE amplifies that which he touched in brief in the former verse:¹ for his speech might have bin esteemed ridiculous & vain, concerning this continual care that God hath over the Church, and her walls, which he now suffered to be raced to the very foundations. For this cause, I say, he adds an exposition, to wit, that it is ruinated indeed, but ere long it shall be reedified anew.

HE amplifies that which he touched in briefe in the former verse:¹ for his speech might haue bin esteemed ridiculous & vaine, concerning this continuall care that God hath ouer the Church, and her walles, which he now suffered to be raced to the very foundations. For this cause, I say, he addes an exposition, to wit, that it is ruinated indeed, but ere long it shall be reedified anew.

1. 1An amplification of the former verse.

From this word builders, we may gather wherein the right way of repairing the church consists;¹ namely, if the Lord be pleased to send forth master Carpenters and Masons to frame it anew. Secondly, in driving out the destroyers, which build not, but break down. For albeit God can build up his church without the help of men, yet is he pleased to use their labours: and howsoever he finisheth the whole building himself alone, by the secret work of his holy Spirit, yet he blesseth the endeavours of his servants, that the same should not become altogether unfruitful. To him we must pray, and from him alone we must expect workmen; for he is able to fit them with gifts and graces, and to appoint out to every one his task, as Saint Paul saith,