Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹This verse hath bin ill expounded by many, who have descanted here too subtlety, for they have invented many things besides the Prophets purpose. Now this agrees with that which he hath said in the 50. Chapter vers. 1. where he asketh for the creditor to whom he sold them: and here he saith in like manner, you were sold for nought: as if he had said, that he took no money, neither was he engaged to any creditor at all that could challenge them by right of sale. This serves greatly to confirm the promise: for the Jews might doubt touching the truth of this promised freedom, in regard the Chaldeans the mightiest of all nations, held them prisoners a long time. But the Lord prevents this doubt, saying, I neither sold, nor pawned you. You were sold for nought, and therefore I may require you again, and claim you as mine own. Stand not so much then whether the matter be hard to compass or no, seeing I have promised you liberty, neither dispute you too and fro of the matter by your carnal reason, for the Chaldeans have no right at all to ke•pe possession, neither can they be able to hinder your passage. To conclude, even as in the place before alleged he cleared himself from the imputation of an unthrift, who is compelled to make sale of, or to pawn his children for debt, so in this place he shows that they were taken from him, and were let go of him gratis, for no other cause, but in regard they had provoked him thereunto by their iniquities, Chap. 50.1. Therefore there is no more difficulty to redeem them, then there was in parting from them.