Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 2. And he hedged it, and gathered out the stones of it, and he planted it with the best plants, and he built a tower in the midst thereof, and made a winepress therein: then he looked that it should bring forth grapes: but it brought forth wild grapes.

Vers. 2. And he hedged it, and gathered out the stones of it, and he planted it with the best plants, and he built a tower in the midst therof, and made a winepresse therein: then hee looked that it should bring forth grapes: but it brought forth wild grapes.

HE shows the continual care and diligence of the Lord in dressing his vine: as if he should say, He omitted nothing of that which is required to be in a good husbandman, who above all things watcheth upon his charge. Notwithstanding we are not here curiously to examine the text, word by word as many do; saying, That the Church was environed with hedges, to wit, with the protection of the holy Ghost; to the end it might be secured against all the assaults of the devil: that the press signifies the doctrine: and that the stones signify all troublesome errors. The Prophets meaning, as I have showed, was more plain and simple; to wit, that God diligently performed the office of an husbandman, sparing nether pains nor cost. But in the mean while, the Jews had great cause to consider in themselves with how many great and divers sorts of benefits the Lord had enriched them. When the Church at this day is set forth unto us under the similitude of a vine, we ought to refer these figurative speeches to the benefits of God, by which he assures us of his love towards us, and also of the care he hath for our salvation. It seems that in the word of planting, order should not be observed: for a man should rather plant first, and then close it with an hedge afterward. But thus I understand it, that he no sooner planted his vine, but he forthwith provided all things belonging unto it. And therefore he justly accuseth them of ingratitude and disloyalty, that they brought not forth fruit worthy the cost and pains bestowed upon them.

HE shewes the continuall care and diligence of the Lord in dressing his vine: as if he should say, He omitted nothing of that which is required to be in a good husbandman, who aboue all things watcheth vpon his charge. Notwithstanding wee are not here curiously to examine the text, word by word as many doe; saying, That the Church was inuironed with hedges, to wit, with the protection of the holy Ghost; to the end it might be secured against al the assaults of the diuel: that the presse signifies the doctrine: and that the stones signifie all troublesome errors. The Prophets meaning, as I haue shewed, was more plaine and simple; to wit, that God diligently performed the office of an husbandman, sparing nether paines nor cost. But in the meane while, the Iewes had great cause to consider in themselues with how many great and diuers sorts of benefits the Lord had enriched them. When the Church at this day is set forth vnto vs vnder the similitude of a vine, wee ought to referre these figuratiue speeches to the benefits of God, by which he assures vs of his loue towards vs, and also of the care he hath for our saluation. It seemes that in the word of planting, order should not bee obserued: for a man should rather plant first, and then close it with an hedge afterward. But thus I vnderstand it, that he no sooner planted his vine, but he forthwith prouided all things belonging vnto it. And therefore he iustly accuseth them of ingratitude and disloyaltie, that they brought not forth fruite worthie the cost and paines bestowed vpon them.