Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 24. Yea before they call I will answer, and whiles they speak I will hear.

Vers. 24. Yea before they call I will answer, and whiles they speake I will heare.

See here a (most) precious promise.¹ For what thing is more desirable then to have God favourable unto us, and that we may with boldness have access unto him? Surely, it is not possible we should be any way miserable, as long as it is free for us to have our recourse unto the Lord, though we should be environed with infinite thousands of miseries and calamities. The Lord here promiseth us then, that we shall not put up our suites to him in vain. Quest. But what? The Fathers under the Law had the same promise; for from the beginning of the world they were heard as oft as they called upon him. And indeed prayer is one of the chiefest fruits of faith.² But yet our Prophet confirms this point more and more: Ans. for, in regard the Jews were to endure a tedious and long captivity, the Lord protests he will not suffer them to languish any longer in exile, neither will he any longer defer his help, but will hear them: yea, before they cry. This promise principally belongs to Christs kingdom, by whom we are heard, & have access unto God the Father, as S. Paul clearly teacheth in Eph. 3.12. I grant the Prophets had the same access: neither could their prayers have any entrance, but for Christs sake. But the gate which is now made large, and set wide open unto us, was then narrow, and in a manner closed up. For under the law, the people were wont to stay without in the court: Luk. 1 10. Nothing now hinders us from entering into the Sanctuary;³ because the veil of the temple is rent in twain. By Christ then we have entrance into heaven; and may boldly, and with assurance draw near to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and help in time of need. Heb 4.16.