Now because it were little joy to us to see the wicked brought to nought, unless we might enjoy our freedom and safety; the Prophet shows what our condition shall be, namely, never to be destituted of the righteousness and salvation of God. But this comparison seems not very fitting, when the ruin of the ungodly is opposed to his righteousness. For it might have been more properly and plainly affirmed, that howsoever the wicked rejoice, yet they shall shortly perish, and the faithful, who now resemble dead men, shall live. For seeing he mentions not them at all, but only recommends unto them the perpetuity of his righteousness; it might be objected, what profit shall we have by this, that Gods righteousness shall remain for ever, whilst we in the mean while, are overwhelmed with miseries? But the Prophet in these words advertiseth us, that the consolation which belongs unto us in afflictions, must arise from hence, that our health and salvation is after a sort shut up in God. For whilst men rest in themselves, they cannot conceive so much as the least dram of hope, which will not forthwith vanish. And therefore he turns our eyes unto God, whose mercy endures for ever, upon them that fear him, and his righteousness upon their children's children, as David saith, Psal. 103. In regard that our salvation then is founded on Gods mercy and truth, Isaiah brings us unto it, that all men being accounted as nothing, we may wholly trust in the salvation of the Lord. For thus we must reason; Salvation is in God;1 not for himself, but for us: as also his righteousness, which he is ready to manifest for our defence. From the salvation & righteousness of God then, we ought to gather that his servants can never perish. Which we have also proved from the testimony of David; Thou art always the same, and thy years shall not fail: the children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall stand fast in thy sight: Psal. 102.27, 28. We see then how he applies this perpetuity unto Gods children, who stand not by their own strength, but in God, who is the rock of their salvation.
Now because it were little ioy to vs to see the wicked brought to nought, vnlesse wee might inioy our freedome and safetie; the Prophet shewes what our condition shall be, namely, neuer to be destituted of the righteousnesse and saluation of God. But this comparison seemes not verie fitting, when the ruine of the vngodly is opposed to his righteousnesse. For it might haue been more properly and plainly affirmed, that howsoeuer the wicked reioice, yet they shall shortly perish, and the faithfull, who now resemble dead men, shall liue. For seeng he mentions not them at all, but onely recommends vnto them the perpetuitie of his righteousnesse; it might bee obiected, what profit shall we haue by this, that Gods righteousnesse shall remaine for euer, whilest we in the meane while, are ouerwhelmed with miseries? But the Prophet in these words aduertiseth vs, that the consolation which belongs vnto vs in afflictions, must arise from hence, that our health and saluation is after a sort shut vp in God. For whilest men rest in themselues, they cannot conceiue so much as the least dramme of hope, which will not forthwith vanish. And therefore he turnes our eies vnto God, whose mercie indures for euer, vpon them that feare him, and his righteousnesse vpon their childrens children, as Dauid saith, Psal. 103. In regard that our saluation then is founded on Gods mercy and truth, Isaiah brings vs vnto it, that all men being accounted as nothing, wee may wholly trust in the saluation of the Lord. For thus we must reason; Saluation is in God;1 not for himselfe, but for vs: as also his righteousnesse, which hee is readie to manifest for our defence. From the saluation & righteousnesse of God then, wee ought to gather that his seruants can neuer perish. Which we haue also prooued from the testimonie of Dauid; Thou art alwaies the same, and thy yeeres shall not faile: the children of thy seruants shall continue, and their seede shall stand fast in thy sight: Psal. 102.27, 28. Wee see then how hee applies this perpetuitie vnto Gods children, who stand not by their owne strength, but in God, who is the rocke of their saluation.
- 1Salvation in God, not for himself, but for us.Saluation in God, not for himselfe, but for vs.
