A17640:4410
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.
Now in regard that God thus orders & dispenseth his grace, that he always exerciseth the patience of the faithful, whilst they live here below; and never wholly satisfies their desires: this is the cause why he brings them to the word. As if he should say, Thou shalt truly feel that I am liberal; and that I will many ways procure thy good: but thou oughtest not to wish greater happiness, then to feel my presence by my word. Whence we gather, that the greatest treasure the Church hath,1 consists in this, that the Lord hath chosen her for his dwelling place, that in the hearts of the faithful he may make his abode by his Spirit, and may conserve the doctrine of the Gospel among them.
Now in regard that God thus orders & dispenceth his grace, that he alwaies exerciseth the patience of the faithfull, whilest they liue here below; and neuer wholly satisfies their desires: this is the cause why he brings them to the vvord. As if he should say, Thou shalt truely feele that I am liberall; and that I will many waies procure thy good: but thou oughtest not to wish greater happinesse, then to feele my presence by my word. Whence wee gather, that the greatest treasure the Church hath,1 consists in this, that the Lord hath chosen her for his dwelling place, that in the hearts of the faithfull he may make his abode by his Spirit, and may conserue the doctrine of the Gospell among them.
- 1The richest treasure the church hath.
Lastly, he foretells that God will never forsake his people, but will always assist them by his word and spirit: which two are conjoined together,1 because without the efficacy of the Spirit, the word would profit nothing, but would remain fruitless. On the other side, we must not separate the one from the other, as some fantastical spirits dream, who in rejecting the word, pretend the name of the Spirit, and are ready to burst with a vain confidence, which they have conceived in their fantastical imaginations: for we must hold that for the spirit of Satan, which is separated from the word of God;