A17640:408
Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah
A commentary upon the prophecy of Isaiah. By Mr. John Calvin. Whereunto are added four tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Hitherto he hath spoken figuratively: now he sets down the drift of his song. Heretofore he hath only charged the Jews with judgement: Now he shows that they are not only guilty, but also that he holds them as convicted persons. For they could not be ignorant of the benefits which they had received from God. Thou (saith the Psalmist) broughtest a vine out of Egypt, and having driven out the nations, diddest plant them in, Psalm. 80.9. Isaiah follows not all the parts of the similitude neither was it needful: It was sufficient to have showed the scope and drift of it. The whole people were the vine: the particular persons the §1branches: thus he first accuseth the whole §2body in general; and lastly every one in particular: so as none could exempt himself from this condemnation, as not having justly deserved the same before.
HItherto hee hath spoken figuratiuely: now he sets downe the drift of his song. Heretofore he hath only charged the Iewes with iudgement: Now he shewes that they are not only guiltie, but also that hee holds them as conuicted persons. For they could not bee ignorant of the benefits which they had receiued from God. Thou (saith the Psalmist) broughtest a vine out of Egypt, and hauing driuen out the nations, didest plant them in, Psalm. 80.9. Isaiah followes not all the parts of the similitude neither was it needfull: It was sufficient to haue shewed the scope and drift of it. The whole people were the vine: the particular persons the §1branches: thus hee first accuseth the whole §2body in generall; and lastly euery one in perticular: so as none could exempt himselfe from this condemnation, as not hauing iustly deserued the same before.
It sufficiently appears wherefore the people is called a vine. Because God had chosen them, and made the covenant of grace and of eternal salvation with them, and had enriched them with infinite benefits. The beginning is the plant; the labour afterwards followeth. This people was adopted of God, and husbanded by him divers ways. For their adoption had not been sufficient, if the Lord had not wrought upon them and framed and enriched them with his graces from day to day. We ought at this day to be much urged with this doctrine. Christ affirms, that he is the vine,