Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

IN regard the Church was to sustain and endure many afflictions, the Prophet furnisheth her with consolation, and meets with a difficulty that might come between; namely, the enemies tyrannizing over the poor Jews, when as in the mean while, they felt no fruit of these promises. His meaning is then, that the Church should be restored and shall recover her full strength, though now she be afflicted, and tossed up and down with divers tempests. And by the word awake then, he raiseth her from death, and as it were out of her grave. As if he should say; No ruin can be so woeful, nor any desolations so horrible, that can let God from effecting of this restoration. Such a consolation doubtless was of singular use: for when sorrow hath seized upon our hearts, we by and by think that the promises belong nothing at all unto us. It is very needful then that we be often put in mind of this, and may also have it ever in our sight; namely, that it is God who speaks and thus calls, not such as are in a flourishing estate, but those that are brought low, yea and dead: for these he can awaken notwithstanding, and raise up by his word: for this doctrine of salvation is not ordained for those that are in good plight, but for the dead, which have lost all hope.

IN regard the Church was to sustaine and indure many afflictions, the Prophet furnisheth her with consolation, and meetes with a difficultie that might come betweene; namely, the enemies tyrannizing ouer the poore Iews, when as in the meane while, they felt no fruit of these promises. His meaning is then, that the Church should be restored and shall recouer her full strength, though now she be afflicted, and tossed vp and downe with diuers tempests. And by the word awake then, he raiseth her from death, and as it were out of her graue. As if he should say; No ruin can be so wofull, nor any desolations so horrible, that can let God from effecting of this restauration. Such a consolation doubtlesse was of singular vse: for when sorrow hath seazed vpon our hearts, wee by and by thinke that the promises belong nothing at all vnto vs. It is very needfull then that wee be often put in mind of this, and may also haue it euer in our sight; namely, that it is God who speaks and thus calles, not such as are in a florishing estate, but those that are brought low, yea and dead: for these hee can awaken notwithstanding, and raise vp by his word: for this doctrine of saluation is not ordained for those that are in good plight, but for the dead, which haue lost all hope.