Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

King Ahaz refusing the sign which was offered him of God, is brought at the last by the Prophet to the foundation of the covenant, which even the most wicked durst not reject. The Messiah must be borne, and all looked for him, because the salvation of all the people depended upon him. The Prophet then having rebuked the king, proceeds with him again in this manner, Thou wouldest fain overthrow the decree of God in rejecting his promise; but this decree notwithstanding shall remain inviolable: thy disloyalty and ingratitude shall not hinder God from being the deliverer of his people, because at the last he will raise up his anointed. And for the more full declaration of these things, we must observe the custom of the Prophets, who in confirming particular promises, do lay this foundation, to wit, that God will send the Redeemer. By this general prop the Lord every where confirms that which he specially promiseth to his people. And questionless it must needs be that he which looks for help and succour from God, must therewithal be also persuaded of his fatherly love. But how should he be favourable without Christ, in whom he hath freely adopted us for his chosen, and always receiveth us unto mercy? According to which S. Paul saith, That in Christ all the promises of God are yea and Amen, 2. Cor. 1.20. As oft then as God sent any succour to his people in old time, he by and by reconciled them to himself in Christ. And therefore when he threatens famine, pestilence, or sword, he sets the Messiah before their eyes to give them hope of deliverance. Seeing this is so apparent, the Jews have no cause to storm here as if the Prophet should speak without cause of a thing so far remote. For whereupon did the deliverance of Jerusalem depend? was it not upon the manifestation of Christ? upon which foundation the salvation of the Church hath evermore been builded and upheld.

King Ahaz refusing the signe which was offred him of God, is brought at the last by the Prophet to the foundation of the couenant, which euen the most wicked durst not reiect. The Messiah must be borne, and all looked for him, because the saluation of all the people depended vpon him. The Prophet then hauing rebuked the king, proceeds with him againe in this maner, Thou wouldest faine ouerthrow the decree of God in reiecting his promise; but this decree notwithstanding shal remaine inuiolable: thy disloyaltie and ingratitude shall not hinder God from being the deliuerer of his people, because at the last he will raise vp his anointed. And for the more full declaration of these things, we must obserue the custome of the Prophets, who in confirming particular promises, do lay this foundation, to wit, that God wil send the Redeemer. By this general prop the Lord euery where confirmes that which he speciallie promiseth to his people. And questionlesse it must needs be that he which lookes for help and succor from God, must therewithall bee also perswaded of his fatherlie loue. But how should he be fauorable without Christ, in whom he hath freelie adopted vs for his chosen, and alwaies receiueth vs vnto mercie? According to which S. Paul saith, That in Christ all the promises of God are yea and Amen,