Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

¹For as much as Christ expoundeth this place of himself, Luk. 4.18. therefore the interpreters do without any difficulty restrain it unto him: holding it for a principle, that Christ is here brought in speaking: as if these things only appertained unto him. The Jews scoff at such, who inconsiderately have attributed to Christ alone, the things which do also agree to the rest of the Prophets. To speak then what I think, it seems to me, that this Chapter is added as a seal unto the former,² thereby to confirm that which hath been said hitherunto touching the restoration of the Christian Church. And that to this end Christ protesteth, that God hath anointed him: which is the cause that he (and that very justly) appropriates this prophecy unto himself: in regard he hath exhibited that to us clearly and manifestly which others have taught obscurely. Yet this hinders not; but that this sentence may in like manner agree to the rest of the Prophets whom the Lord hath also anointed. For they spake not in their own names, neither did they execute their offices from their private authority: but they showed forth the authority and office of Christ; to whom it not only belongs to publish these things; but also to fulfil them. This place then must be thus understood, namely, that Christ who is the Prince of the Prophets, obtains the chief place among them: and that it is he only who manifests all that which is here mentioned: & also that Isaiah, with the rest of the Prophets, and the Apostles, are his servants; every one of them employing themselves to the utmost in preaching and publishing the benefits which we receive from him. So as that which Isaiah hath said should be finished by Christ, we now see it accomplished by the effects.