Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

IN these two verses he puts them in mind of the blessings contained in the law; namely, that such as served God should inhabit the houses they had built, and should eat the fruits of their trees: Levit. 20.10. As on the contrary, the rebellious should be driven out of their houses to give place unto strangers: neither should they gather the fruit which they had planted: Deut. 28.30. From this curse (saith Isaiah) shall the Lord deliver you, to the end you may enjoy your substance. Now the Prophet sets before them the things appertaining to this life present: and from thence borrows similitudes, thereby teaching us how to ascend up higher, and to apprehend and lay hold of the blessed and endless life. For we must not stick fast glued to these transitory things: but rather use them as steppes and stairs to scale the heavens,¹ that being rapt up thither, we may possess the eternal and immortal benefits. It is also good reason that the enjoying of these blessings, whereof the unbelievers deprived themselves, should be promised to the regenerated Church; which rested wholly upon the only free favour and good pleasure of her God.

IN these two verses hee puts them in mind of the blessings contained in the law; namely, that such as serued God should inhabit the houses they had built, and should eate the fruites of their trees: Leuit. 20.10. As on the contrarie, the rebellious should bee driuen out of their houses to giue place vnto strangers: neither should they gather the fruite which they had planted: Deut. 28.30. From this curse (saith Isaiah) shall the Lord deliuer you, to the end you may enioy your substance. Now thc Prophet sets before them the things appertaining to this life present: and from thence borrowes similitudes, thereby teaching vs how to ascend vp higher, and to apprehend and lay hold of the blessed and endles life. For we must not sticke fast glued to these transitorie things: but rather vse them as steppes and staires to scale the heauens,¹