Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

If any had rather say that the lively image of God, is here noted out by this Angel; who being the conductor and protector of the people, did therein openly manifest the face and presence of G•d as in a glass; such a sense will not be amiss. And for my part I doubt not but that the office of saving ought to be attributed unto Christ,¹ who as we know, is the great Angel of the covenant, under whose leading, safeguard and protection the Church hath ever hitherunto been upheld in safety.

If any had rather say that the liuely image of God, is here noted out by this Angell; who being the conducter and protector of the people, did therein openly manifest the face and presence of G•d as in a glasse; such a sense will not be amisse. And for my part I doubt not but that the office of sauing ought to be attributed vnto Christ,¹ who as we know, is the great Angell of the couenant, vnder whose leading, sauegard and protection the Church hath euer hitherunto been vpheld in safetie.

1. 1Mal. 3.1.

In his love he redeemed them.] The Prophet shows what the cause is from whence these great benefits proceeded:¹ namely, Gods love and good pleasure. As Moses also teacheth, Deut. 4.37, and 7.7.8. Whence is it that God hath gathered thy fathers, saith he, but because he loved them, and did set his heart upon them? And thus he meant to dispossess them of all opinion that they might conceive touching any merit: for in themselves they were proud and arrogant and insulted more then they had cause. Now ye see the reason why he shows, that Gods only free bounty was the cause of so many blessings.