Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Trees of righteousness.] By these words he sets out the peoples restoration. As if he should say; Whereas in times past you were rooted up, and resembled a withered stock; now you shall be planted again and established. He brings them then to the consideration of Gods power, to the end that howsoever they should be overwhelmed & brought to deaths door, yet were they notwithstanding to assure themselves to be so revived, that they should take root, gather strength, and grow.

Trees of righteousnesse.] By these words hee sets out the peoples restauration. As if hee should say; Whereas in times past you were rooted vp, and resembled a withered stocke; now you shall be planted againe and established. He brings them then to the consideration of Gods power, to the end that howsoeuer they should be ouerwhelmed & brought to deaths doore, yet were they notwithstanding to assure themselues to bee so reuiued, that they should take roote, gather strength, and grow.

Hence we may gather a general doctrine,¹ namely, that we cannot be quickened, unless we be planted by the Lord. True it is that we are called his plants, Chap. 60.21. because he hath elected us from the beginning: Eph. 1.4. But yet there is another kind of planting which succeeds this first;² to wit, our calling, which by faith grafts us into the body of Christ. This the Lord brings to pass by the labours of his servants, the Ministers of the Gospel: but the whole must be ascribed unto him, because it is he only that gives the increase: 1. Cor. 3.7. Yet we are always to keep in mind that doctrine, which brings us from this first deliverance, unto the spiritual kingdom of Christ.

Hence we may gather a generall doctrine,