Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Whilst we see so many changes fall out in the world, and that the Church ⟨p. 537⟩as we often think shall be violently swallowed up therein,¹ it is very needful that our minds should be gathered up far above the whole order of nature, otherwise the salvation of the Church shall seem to hang in a net, and to float up and down in the middest §1of these tempests, we may easily discern with what wisdom God governs all things §2both in heaven above, and in the earth below: secondly, with what a fatherly care he upholds and preserves his work, and the whole frame §3of the world: thirdly, with what equity he disposeth and provides for all his creatures therein: but his care and providence over his Church is surpassing great, which indeed he hath separated from the rest of the world. The Prophet hath here comprehended both these points, for he commands the faithful to turn their eyes on every side of them, to consider Gods admirable providence as well in the heavens, as in the earth, by which he hath constantly continued from the creation that goodly order by him then established. He adds, that although these things seem to fall to decay, yet it is unpossible that the Church which hath her sure foundation in God should ever be shaken. As if he should say, Heaven and earth shall perish an hundred times rather then the promise (upon which the salvation of the Church is grounded) should be abolished. He therefore puts salvation in the first place, and then he adds righteousness, which is the solid foundation wherewith this salvation is upheld: when dangers threaten us on all sides then, let us learn to flee to this city of refuge.