Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE prosecutes the same argument,¹ and declares, that the chastisement wherewith the people should be exercised, should not be so sharp, but that there was hope notwithstanding left for them touching remission of sins. Which that he might the better persuade them of, he saith, the Lord hath given him charge to publish this deliverance, and that not to himself alone, but also to all the Prophets, even till the coming of that great Ambassador, to wit, Christ Jesus, who shall indeed publish and accomplish that which God would now have divulged for the time to come: yet therewithal he signifies, that their sorrows shall not be able to let God from giving them matter of joy, when it should seem ⟨p. 625⟩good unto himself. For to establish, is as much to say, as to appoint a time, that the long delay might not discourage them. Again, by the verb, To give, he recommends unto them the efficacy of his prophecy, to the end they might be undoubtedly persuaded touching the event thereof. Well, he alludes herein to the ancient Ceremonies of the Jews, who, when any affliction in those times pressed them, were wont to cover their heads with ashes, and to clothe themselves with sackcloth. By these things then he notes out that mourning, and deformity, which of necessity was to ensue upon the peoples woeful condition, and opposeth the same to that joy and gladness which they should be filled withal, after they had obtained their freedom and liberty.

HE prosecutes the same argument,¹ and declares, that the chastisement wherewith the people should be exercised, should not be so sharp, but that there was hope notwithstanding left for them touching remission of sinnes. Which that hee might the better perswade thē of, he saith, the Lord hath giuen him charge to publish this deliuerance, and that not to himselfe alone, but also to all the Prophets, euen til the comming of that great Embassador, to wit, Christ Iesus, who shall indeed publish and accomplish that which God would now haue diuulged for the time to come: yet therewithall he signifies, that their sorrowes shall not be able to let God from giuing them matter of ioy, whē it should seeme ⟨p. 625⟩