Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Moreover, here is a close opposition between that profane and wicked troop, who by their filthiness do pollute the sanctuary of the Lord. Further also he seems to mention the vocation of the Gentiles, when in the plural number he saith, that all peoples shall be righteous.

Moreouer, heere is a close opposition betweene that prophane and wicked troope, who by their filthinesse doe pollute the sanctuarie of the Lord. Further also he seemes to mention the vocation of the Gentiles, when in the plurall number he saith, that all peoples shall be righteous.

Where he adds, that they shall inherit the land for ever, I doubt not but he had respect unto Judea, and closely opposed the time of the restoration, to that of the captivity, which was at hand. As if he should say; Albeit I do banish my people out of their inheritance, yet after seventy years, I will bring them back again to possess it for ever. It is also to be noted, that he restrains this promise which appertained to all the people of Zion, to the righteous. For thus there is a kind of correction, whereby he shuts out all hypocrites, who are wont vainly to usurp & snatch ⟨p. 622⟩unto them those titles, which only belong to the true children of God. This sentence then agrees with the beginning of the 73. Psalm: Yet God is good to Israel, even to the pure in heart. For here the Prophet attributes the name of Israel, which all bragged of, to the true servants of God only. And so in this place we may say as much of the word peoples, to wit, that little remnant which shall be purged from their uncleanness. This was not wholly accomplished among the Jews: they had the beginnings of it indeed, when they were restored home unto their Country again; that so afterwards by their means, the possession of the whole world might be given unto Gods children. And as he spake heretofore of the restoration of the Temple, which was not perfect in Jerusalem, but should be extended through all the quarters of the world: so this possession of the land must not be restrained to Judea alone, seeing it stretcheth it self further off, in regard all men are called to have their part therein: that so by faith they may be the children of Abraham, and consequently be made heirs.