Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 4. The Lord hath given me a tongue of the learned, that I should know how to minister a word in due season to him that is weary: he will raise me up in the morning; in the morning he will awaken mine ear to bear, as the learned.

Vers. 4. The Lord hath giuen mee a tongue of the learned, that I should know how to minister a word in due season to him that is wearie: he will raise me vp in the morning; in the morning hee will awaken mine eare to beare, as the learned.

Having twice convinced the people of ingratitude; now, according to his custom, he adds a consolation:¹ for the Lord so shames us, that he forthwith minds to free us from shame and confusion. Albeit then upon good grounds he hath proved, that the people were justly rejected, and perished by their own deserts; yea, and had made themselves utterly unworthy of deliverance: notwithstanding all this, he promiseth them help and succour. Now because in a matter so difficult, there was need of more then ordinary authority, the Prophet saith, that God sent him, and fitted him with ability to execute that which was enjoined by him. All in a manner do refer this place unto Christ, as if it suited not to the Prophets person, when he saith he was smitten. We read not indeed that Isaiah was so handled: and yet it follows not therefore that their argument is sound enough. For David complains that his garments were divided; which properly appertained unto Christ: & yet it follows not that the like befell not David. For mine own part, I am out of doubt that Isaiah brings in himself as one representing the person of all Gods servants, as well touching those that were before him, as of those that were to succeed him.

HAuing twice conuinced the people of ingratitude; now, according to his custome, he addes a consolation:¹ for the Lord so shames vs, that he forthwith mindes to free vs from shame and confusion. Albeit then vpon good grounds hee hath proued, that the people were iustly reiected, and perished by their owne deserts; yea, and had made themselues vtterly vnworthy of deliuerance: notwithstanding all this, hee promiseth them helpe and succour. Now because in a matter so difficult, there was need of more then ordinarie authoritie, the Prophet saith, that God sent him, and fitted him with abilitie to execute that which was inioined by him. All in a manner doe refer this place vnto Christ, as if it suted not to the Prophets person, whē he saith he was smitten. We reade not indeed that Isaiah was so handled: and yet it followes not therefore that their argument is sound enough. For Dauid complaines that his garments were diuided; which properly appertained vnto Christ: & yet it followes not that the like befell not Dauid. For mine own part, I am out of doubt that Isaiah brings in himselfe as one representing the person of all Gods seruants, as well touching those that were before him, as of those that were to succeed him.