Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah promiseth an happy estate to those who wept and lamented before:¹ for he respects not his own time, in which he lived, but the captivity, during which the faithful being oppressed and beaten down with sorrow, had almost fainted. He therefore exhorts and provokes all those who entirely love the Church, and hold nothing more dear unto them then her salvation, to rejoice. Hereby showing that no man hath any part or portion in this so great a benefit, unless such only as bear an holy love unto the Church, and are thoroughly affected with a fervent desire of her deliverance: Yea, even then when she is contemptible in the sight of the world, as it is said in Psal. 102. namely, That the Saints delight in the scattered stones of the Church, and that they have pity on the dust thereof.

ISaiah promiseth an happie estate to those who wept and lamented before:¹ for he respects not his owne time, in which hee liued, but the captiuitie, during which the faithfull being oppressed and beaten downe with sorrow, had almost fainted. He therefore exhorts and prouokes all those who intirely loue the Church, and hold nothing more deare vnto them then her saluation, to reioyce. Hereby shewing that no man hath any part or portion in this so great a benefit, vnlesse such only as beare an holy loue vnto the Church, and are thorowly affected with a feruent desire of her deliuerance: Yea, euen then when shee is contemptible in the sight of the world, as it is said in