Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Under the word Zion, he means (as heretofore) the prisoners, and banished: for albeit they were scattered far off from their country, yet was the Temple still to remain planted as it were in their hearts. But lest the bastard children of Abraham should indifferently apply this unto themselves with the heirs of promise, he forthwith shows who they be to whom this deliverance ¹shall come, namely, to such as shall be truly converted unto the Lord. And yet it is very certain that many returned from Babylon into Judea, which were not touched with any repentance at all; who nevertheless had their part in this benefit: but the Prophet speaks of that full redemption, which is only proper unto the elect. For howsoever the external fruit of the deliverance redounded to the hypocrites; yet embraced they not this benefit of God to their salvation. The Prophet meant to say then, that the punishment of their banishment should have fruit; to the end that the Lord having purged his Church from her filthiness & corruptions, he might again gather together her dissipations. We must also ever bear in mind that which I have heretofore touched, in respect of the diminution of this people. Thus then our Prophet exhorts the elect to the fear of God, that so they might make benefit of the stripes which they received.

Vnder the word Zion, he meanes (as heretofore) the prisoners, and banished: for albeit they were scattered farre off from their countrie, yet was the Temple still to remaine planted as it were in their hearts. But lest the bastard children of Abraham should indifferentlie applie this vnto themselues with the heires of promise, he forthwith shewes who they be to whom this deliuerance ¹shall come, namely, to such as shall be truly conuerted vnto the Lord. And yet it is very certaine that many returned from Babylon into Iudeah, which were not touched with any repentance at all; who neuerthelesse had their part in this benefit: but the Prophet speakes of that full redemption, which is onely proper vnto the elect. For howsoeuer the externall fruit of the deliuerance redounded to the hypocrites; yet imbraced they not this benefit of God to their saluation. The Prophet meant to say then, that the punishment of their banishment should haue fruit; to the end that the Lord hauing purged his Church from her filthinesse & corruptions, he might againe gather together her dissipations. We must also euer beare in mind that which I haue heeretofore touched, in respect of the diminution of this people. Thus then our Prophet exhorts the elect to the feare of God, that so they might make benefit of the stripes which they receiued.