Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Though Abraham know us not.] Quest. Some ask here why the people say that the Patriarch knew them not. S. Ans. ¹Jerome thinks it was because they were degenerate, and therefore were not worthy of so great an honour. But I take this exposition to be over curious. The true sense is, That albeit our forefathers disavow us, yet God still holds us for his children, and shows himself a father towards us. Those who say that Abraham and the rest of ⟨p. 643⟩the faithful had cast off all care, touching the affairs of this life, do too subtly wrest the Prophets words to a wrong sense. I speak not of the thing in it self; but I say these words prove not that the Saints are altogether careless of us.² The most native and pure sense is this; Lord, we acknowledge that in regard thou art our Father, it is a thing so firm and sure, that albeit our fathers after the flesh should fail us, yet wilt thou never cease to be a father unto us: Psal. 27.10. So as all rights of nature shall cease, rather then thou shouldest cease to show thy self a father unto us: or that thine holy adoption should be made void, seeing it is established in thine immutable counsel, and ratified by the death of thine holy Sonne.

Though Abraham knovv vs not.] Quest. Some aske here why the people say that the Patriarke knew them not. S. Ans. ¹Jerome thinks it was because they were degenerate, and therefore were not worthie of so great an honour. But I take this exposition to be ouer curious. The true sense is, That albeit our forefathers disauow vs, yet God stil holds vs for his children, and shewes himselfe a father towards vs. Those who say that Abraham and the rest of ⟨p. 643⟩the faithfull had cast off all care, touching the affaires of this life, doe too subtilly wrest the Prophets words to a wrong sense. I speak not of the thing in it selfe; but I say these words proue not that the Saints are altogether carelesse of vs.