Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But he adds the reason of so great an astonishment, to wit, that she was barren before, and therefore was utterly destituted of children. For the word of God which is the spiritual seed wherewith the children of the Church were begotten, ceased: the sacrifices also were broken off: in a word, whatsoever served to maintain a state in perfection, was abolished.

But he addes the reason of so great an astonishment, to wit, that she was barren before, and therefore was vtterlie destituted of children. For the word of God which is the spirituall seed wherewith the children of the Church were begotten, ceased: the sacrifices also were broken off: in a word, whatsoeuer serued to maintaine a state in perfection, was abolished.

Besides, the Church is called barren, not because God ever forsakes her, but in regard his gracious presence doth not always appear. We saw a woeful spectacle of this barrenness ¹when the Lord to punish mens ingratitude took from us his blessed truth, and suffered us to walk and err in darkness, then we might well say that she was a widow and barren indeed, when she was left quite destitute of children. Hence also we may perceive how foolish the Papists are, in that they will always have Christ so to dispose of his Church, that she must never know the state of widowhood nor barrenness. For howsoever the Lord at no time utterly rejects his Church, yet he often withdraws from her the signs of his presence, because of the worlds unthankfulness.

Besides, the Church is called barren, not because God euer forsakes her, but in regard his gracious presence doth not alwaies appeare. We saw a wofull spectacle of this barrennes ¹when the Lord to punish mens ingratitude tooke from vs his blessed truth, and suffred vs to walke and erre in darknes, then we might well say that shee was a widow and barren indeed, when she was left quite destitute of children. Hence also we may perceiue how foolish the Papists are, in that they will alwaies haue Christ so to dispose of his Church, that she must neuer know the state of widowhood nor barrennes. For howsoeuer the Lord at no time vtterlie reiects his Church, yet he often withdrawes from her the signes of his presence, because of the worlds vnthankfulnes.