Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

When he saith, they shall be comforted in Jerusalem: it may be expounded two ways. For the meaning may be, that the faithful shall be glad, when they shall see the Church restored: or, the Church being restored, that she will endeavour to comfort her children. The first exposition seems more copious: but we ought to have an eye to the Prophets meaning, and not to that which carries a fair show only. In the first place he makes §1God the author of this consolation. And hath §2he not good cause? yet notwithstanding ads in the second place, that it shall be in Jerusalem, by whom it was to be administered. You see then that this comfort is not offered nor given to the profane contemners, who care not what becomes of the Church, but to those who out of a true affection of godliness do manifest themselves to be her children.

When he saith, they shall be comforted in Ierusalem: it may be expounded two waies. For the meaning may bee, that the faithfull shall be glad, when they shall see the Church restord: or, the Church being restored, that shee will endeuour to comfort her children. The first exposition seemes more copious: but we ought to haue an eie to the Prophets meaning, and not to that which carries a faire shew only. In the first place he makes §1God the author of this consolation. And hath §2he not good cause? yet notwithstanding ads in the second place, that it shall be in Ierusalem, by whom it was to be administred. You see then that this comfort is not offered nor giuen to the prophane contemners, who care not what becomes of the Church, but to those who out of a true affection of godlines doe manifest themselus to be her children.

The verb to see, expresseth a sure experience; that the faithful should not doubt of the event: but fully embracing this prophecy, they might patiently endure for a time their mothers barrenness.