Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Within short space the knowledge of the true God was dispersed almost throughout the whole world. The pure religion which before was despised and shut up within the bounds of Judea (as in a narrow corner) now bega• •o be spread into all nations and provinces, yea, so honoured, that God was called upon with one consent of faith by infinite multitudes. The son of God having here and there gathered the Churches, set up his royal throne, and advanced the same into the highest degree to be seen of all from the East unto the West. The Churches adorned with admirable graces of the holy Ghost, not only tasted of the incomparable fruit of the divine goodness, but were also fair and shining theatres to manifest the wonderful power of God, even to such as were blind. And albeit, Christ reigned under the cross, yet amiddest the fiery conflicts and persecutions, his glory shined more gloriously, and his triumphs more stately, then if the Church had always enjoyed tranquillity.

Within short space the knowledge of the true God was dispersed almost throughout the whole world. The pure religion which before was despised and shut vp within the bounds of Iudeah (as in a narrow corner) now bega• •o bee spread into al nations and prouinces, yea, so honoured, that God was called vpon with one consent of faith by infinit multitudes. The sonne of God hauing here and there gathered the Churches, set vp his royall throne, and aduanced the same into the highest degree to be seene of all from the East vnto the West. The Churches adorned with admirable graces of the holy Ghost, not onely tasted of the incomparable fruite of the diuine goodnesse, but were also faire and shining theaters to manifest the wonderfull power of God, euen to such as were blind. And albeit, Christ raigned vnder the crosse, yet amiddest the fierie conflicts and persecutions, his glorie shined more gloriouslie, and his triumphs more stately, then if the Church had alwaies enioyed tranquillitie.

In the end it came to pass, that that haughty pride of the Roman Empire submitting it self also unto Christ, was a singular ornament to the house of God. But the malice & ingratitude of men was the cause why this happiness lasted not successively. And so the spouse of Christ as one stripped of so precious a robe, spoiled of her dignity, and deprived of her honourable attire, was brought back again to a miserable deformity: yet God always preserved some remainders, as it were in secret corners; but as touching the outward face of the Church, for the space of many years, nothing appeared any where, but scatterings and confused wastes. And we at this day behold how the Roman Antichrist, usurping far and near over the sanctuary of the Lord, by a sacrilegious tyranny holds it under his feet rent and oppressed. For seeing the purity of doctrine is there corrupted by monstrous errors, and that Gods service being overturned, idolatries reign there without number; that in stead of a government rightly instituted, a cruel torture hath been