Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah comforts the people in this so miserable and woeful a case, and by his example commands the Jews that in time of their extreme affliction, they should call to mind the former mercies of the Lord, and should betake them to their prayers; that so they might not resemble hypocrites, who never have any taste in Gods goodness, but in time of prosperity. For in adversity they are so cast down, that all the promises in the Bible will not be able to comfort them.¹ Now when the Lord chastens us, we ought to remember his former benefits, and to break out into the extolling of them, still hoping of better for the time to come: for God is always like himself, and never changeth neither his counsel, nor will. And therefore, if we give place to his mercy, we shall never be cast off. This I take to be the context, though others take it otherwise, namely, that the Prophet having spoken heretofore of the peoples captivity, comforts now himself by this assurance of Gods mercy, because God was purposed to save some. But they are deceived, in regard they think that Isaiah hath hitherunto spoken of the Jews; as if God meant to punish none but them. Whereas he on the contrary ⟨p. 639⟩testifies, that other nations should also be chastised, that the Jews should not persuade themselves that God only hated them. For which cause he now exhorts them to celebrate the memory of those benefits which God had bestowed upon their fathers, that by their example they might the better come to apprehend Gods love towards themselves. The scope of the text also shows, that the Jews are conjoined with their fathers, to the end the covenant common to them both might encourage them to hope for better times.

ISaiah comforts the people in this so miserable and wofull a case, and by his example commands the Iews that in time of their extreme affliction, they should call to mind the former mercies of the Lord, and should betake them to their praiers; that so they might not resemble hypocrites, who neuer haue any taste in Gods goodnesse, but in time of prosperitie. For in aduersitie they are so cast downe, that all the promises in the Bible will not be able to comfort them.¹ Now when the Lord chastens vs, we ought to remember his former benefits, and to breake out into the extolling of them, still hoping of better for the time to come: for God is alwaies like himselfe, and neuer changeth neither his counsell, nor will. And therefore, if vve giue place to his mercy, vve shall neuer be cast off. This I take to be the context, though others take it otherwise, namely, that the Prophet hauing spoken heeretofore of the peoples captiuitie, comforts now himselfe by this assurance of Gods mercy, because God was purposed to saue some. But they are deceiued, in regard they thinke that Isaiah hath hitherunto spoken of the Iewes; as if God meant to punish none but them. Whereas he on the contrarie