Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

The particle Surely, is not only an affirmative, but also serves for an exposition;¹ to wit, when any thing is brought to light that seems strange and unwonted. For is it not wonderful, nay monstrous, that he to whom God hath given sovereign power over all creatures; should be thus abased and humbled? So then, if the cause were not rendered here, all would esteem this no better then a fable. Why was Christ thus covered over with dolours and infirmities? Surely because he bare our sorrows. Saint Matthew allegeth this prophecy, after he hath told how Christ healed diseases of divers kinds: Chap. 8.17. And yet it is most certain, that he was appointed rather a Physician of mens souls, then of their bodies. Add also that the Prophet speaks of spiritual sorrows. But in the miracles showed in the healing of mens bodies, Christ manifested a plain proof of that power he had to heal the sicknesses of their souls. This healing then whereof S. Matthew speaks, extended further then to their bodies: for he was ordained a Physician of souls: Matth. 9.11, 12. And this is the cause why Matthew attributes that to the sign, which agrees to the thing signified.

THe particle Surely, is not onely an affirmatiue, but also serues for an exposition;