Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 16. Bind up the testimony, seal up the law among my Disciples.

Vers. 16. Binde vp the testimonie, seale vp the law among my Disciples.

The Lord now turns his speech to the Prophet, and encourageth him against he should fight against Apostates and rebels; to the end he might execute his office boldly and constantly; which was not a little needful. For Isaiah had tried the great rebellion which was in the people: so as if he had looked only upon the present estate, to wit, the infidelity of the people, and the labour which he bestowed in vain, he might forthwith have been utterly out of heart. For this cause the Lord purposed to confirm and ratify his vocation afresh unto him: and not for his sake alone, but for all their sakes also which should obey his doctrine. And howsoever few should give credit to the same; yet doth the Lord witness notwithstanding, that his doctrine is sealed up to those few: and that for their sakes Isaiah was not to give over teaching, neither yet that the others should cease their walking in the obedience of faith. Now he compares the doctrine of the word to Sealed letters, which many might hold and handle; but yet notwithstanding could not be read nor understood but of a small number; that is to say, of those to whom they were directed. And thus there are very few who understand the word of God, (for they are the elect only) howsoever it be offered to all in general. The word of God then is sealed up to those that profit not by it; and yet so sealed, as that the Lord opens the same notwithstanding to his chosen by his holy Spirit.

THe Lord now turnes his speech to the Prophet, and incourageth him against he should fight against Apostataes and rebels; to the end he might execute his office boldly and constantly; which was not a little needefull. For Isaiah had tried the great rebellion which was in the people: so as if he had looked onely vpon the present estate, to wit, the infidelitie of the people, and the labor which hee bestowed in vaine, hee might forthwith haue been vtterly out of heart. For this cause the Lord purposed to confirme and ratifie his vocation afresh vnto him: and not for his sake alone, but for all their sakes also which should obey his doctrine. And howsoeuer few should giue credit to the same; yet doth the Lord witnesse notwithstanding, that his doctrine is sealed vp to those few: and that for their sakes Isaiah was not to giue ouer teaching, neither yet that the others should cease their walking in the obedience of faith. Now he compares the doctrine of the word to Sealed letters, which many might hold and handle; but yet notwithstanding could not bee read nor vnderstood but of a small number; that is to say, of those to whom they were directed. And thus there are very few who vnderstand the word of God, (for they are the elect onely) howsoeuer it be offered to all in generall. The word of God then is sealed vp to those that profit not by it; and yet so sealed, as that the Lord opens the same notwithstanding to his chosen by his holie Spirit.