Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

But why was not this vision given him in the beginning? I answer, Quest. Ans. it was necessary in regard of the time, to confirm him more and more in the execution of his office. An example whereof we may see in the Apostles, for in the beginning they were sent with commandment, not to pass the bounds of Judea, but after Christ rose again,¹ he establisheth them anew in a solemn manner. He breatheth on them, and tells them that they should receive the holy Ghost; and contents not himself therewith, but sending down the holy Ghost from heaven upon them in fiery tongs, he put an extraordinary power upon them. So according to the divers mutations which happened in times and kingdoms, it was necessary that Isaiah should be confirmed and approved again by a new vision: as well that he might be encouraged to constancy, and might with the more cheerfulness follow his vocation in time to come, as also that his ministry might be authorised among the Jews by the authority of God. This reason to me seems sufficient why he had not this vision at the beginning, but had it rather sometime after he began to teach.

But why was not this vision giuen him in the beginning? I answere, Quest. Ans. it was necessarie in regard of the time, to confirme him more and more in the execution of his office. An example whereof we may see in the Apostles, for in the beginning they were sent with commandement, not to passe the bounds of Iudea, but after Christ rose againe,¹ he establisheth them anew in a solemne maner. He breatheth on them, and tels them that they should receiue the holy Ghost; and contents not himselfe therewith, but sending downe the holy Ghost from heauen vpon them in firie toongs, he put an extraordinarie power vpon them. So according to the diuers mutations which happened in times and kingdomes, it was necessarie that Isaiah should be confirmed and approued againe by a new vision: as well that he might be encouraged to constancie, and might with the more cheerefulnes follow his vocation in time to come, as also that his ministrie might be authorised among the Iewes by the authoritie of God. This reason to me seemes sufficient why he had not this vision at the beginning, but had it rather sometime after he began to teach.

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