Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹IN this place the Prophet shows what the efficacy of this word is, whereof he spake in the former Chapter. For he comforts the church in her low and afflicted estate, and restores her to her brightness. And in respect that he represents the person of God, he here manifests his authority: and for that cause, useth a commandment, that he might give his speech the greater weight: as if by his absolute power, he placed the Church in that happy estate, which he before promised her. The sum is, to assure the faithful that the Prophet spake not as in the air, but effectually.

¹IN this place the Prophet shewes what the efficacie of this word is, whereof hee spake in the former Chapter. For he comforts the church in her low and afflicted estate, and restores her to her brightnesse. And in respect that he represents the person of God, he heere manifests his authoritie: and for that cause, vseth a commandemēt, that he might giue his speech the greater weight: as if by his absolute power, he placed the Church in that happy estate, which hee before promised her. The summe is, to assure the faithfull that the Prophet spake not as in the aire, but effectually.

1. 1In Chap. 59.21. he spake of the word, now he speaks of the efficacy of it.In Chap. 59.21. hee spake of the word, now hee speakes of the efficacie of it.

Now he commands her to Arise, in regard that before he said, she sate upon the ground: which two words are opposites. In the 47. Chapter of this book, he said to Babylon; Come down, and sit in the dust. And in Chap. 32.18. he said of the Jews themselves; My people shall sit in the dust: and yet on the contrary, in Chap. 52.1, 2. he saith; Arise, Arise. O Zion, put on the garments of thy beauty: shake thy self from the dust. Now in this place again he raiseth up the Church, as if he took her by the hand, to the end she might again recover her seat of honour, who now sate in the dust, wholly covered over with filth and dung.