Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Now he amplifies this grace which he mentioned before by way of comparison,¹ to the end we might consider of the infinite love which God bears to his elect; yea and how great the privileges are, which are given and granted unto them by him. The sum is, that whilst the world is pressed, and in a manner overwhelmed with infinite miseries, God vvill have care over his people to enrich them with sundry benefits. He shows then that the light of grace and favour, mentioned in the former verse, shall not be common to all, but particular to the people of God. We told you before that the word brightness, notes out the flourishing estate of the church; but yet we must not judge thereof by any outward appearance: for the Prophet flies an ⟨p. 613⟩higher pitch. Neither make I any doubt, but he here propounds unto us a spiritual brightness and light. Otherwise the phrase of speech which he useth in vers. 3. (namely, that the Gentiles should walk in this light) would not agree. And the coherence of the text of this chapter with the former, shows it plainly. For in verse 21. of chap. 59. he said, that the covenant was enclosed in the word and spirit: from the opposition then, it is easily gathered, that the felicity promised to the Church in the beginning of this Chapter consists in somewhat else then in meat, and drink, idleness and carnal security. Nay, let us rather consider of the matter aright, and we shall see, that since that time, all the Gentiles were not covered with a cloud of miseries, whilst the Jews in the mean while enjoyed their ease. Seeing then the condition of the Church is separated from the state of the whole world; the benefit which Isaiah possesseth the Church of in this place, is spiritual. As also this brightness which he promiseth, is spiritual. This therefore belongs to the spiritual kingdom of Christ, whereby the light of the Gospel enlightened all parts of the world. Yea, the strange nations were enlightened by it.