Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

By the days: of old he shows, that they ought to remember all the wonderful works which God had in former time wrought for their salvation. For howsoever he seems to sit still as one utterly careless of us, yet is he the same God still, who of old hath governed his Church, and therefore can never now reject or abandon those whom he hath received into his protection.

By the daies: of old hee shewes, that they ought to remember all the wonderfull works which God had in former time wrought for their saluation. For howsoeuer he seemes to sit still as one vtterly carelesse of vs, yet is he the same God still, who of old hath gouerned his Church, and therefore can neuer now reiect or abandon those whom he hath receiued into his protection.

In the generations of old.] ¹This repetition doth yet better express, that we ought not only to consider what was done yesterday, but those things also which were done long ago: for we must extend our thoughts even to the most ancient generations, that we may overcome those temptations, which otherwise would seem to overwhelm us. The Prophet doth here then gather together in one, all the testimonies of Gods favour, which he hath from time to time manifested to his people, that if two or three were not sufficient, yet at least the great numbers of them might wholly confirm the faith of the elect.

In the generations of old.] ¹This repetition doth yet better expresse, that wee ought not onely to consider what was done yesterday, but those things also which were done long agoe: for we must extend our thoughts euen to the most ancient generations, that wee may ouercome those temptations, which otherwise would seeme to ouerwhelme vs. The Prophet doth heere then gather together in one, all the testimonies of Gods fauour, which he hath from time to time manifested to his people, that if two or three were not sufficient, yet at least the great numbers of them might wholly confirme the faith of the elect.