Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 2. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn.

Vers. 2. To preach the acceptable yeere of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourne.

¹HE here expresseth the very time wherein this so excellent grace should be spread abroad, that so he might take away all scruples & doubts that might come into their heads. For all of us are subject to sundry cares, and many incumbrances arise up in our minds, which hold them entangled with infinite discourses, whereof we taste by daily experience. Now the Prophet affirms that he is the Herald of the grace which is to be revealed, the time whereof rests wholly in the disposition of the Almighty: for as himself was to be the redeemer of his Church by his mere favour, so was it in his own power (and that by good right) to make choice of the time himself wherein to perform the same. It may be the Prophet alluded to the year of Jubilee,² Levit. 25.10. Howsoever it be, he boldly pronounceth that they were patiently to wait with meek and quiet spirits, until it pleased God to stretch forth his hands.

¹HE here expresseth the very time wherein this so excellent grace should be spread abrode, yt so he might take away all scruples & doubts that might come into their heads. For all of vs are subiect to sundrie cares, and many incumbrances arise vp in our minds, which hold them intangled with infinite discourses, whereof we tast by dayly experience. Now the Prophet affirmes that he is the Herald of the grace which is to be reuealed, the time whereof rests whollie in the disposition of the Almightie: for as himselfe was to be the redeemer of his Church by his meere fauor, so was it in his owne power (and that by good right) to make choice of the time himselfe wherein to performe the same. It may be the Prophet alluded to the yeere of Iubile,