Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

1. *Or, So.

SO I will wait.] I had rather translate the Hebrew particle Van, in this sense; because the Prophet retires himself apart as it were, having received consolation! from the Lord: as we have seen heretofore. It is as much then as if he had said; Seeing the Lord is pleased to have some Disciples, amongst whom his doctrine should be sealed, I will wait, although he hath hid his face from Jacob. That is to say, although he hath rejected and cast off his people. This place is worthy our observation; in the meditation whereof, we ought continually to be much encouraged: yea, if so be the Lord proceed so far, as that he hath turned his face away from his people, and should reject those who make profession of his name: yet for all this, must we wait upon him with invincible patience. This is the only remedy we have. The word waiting, hath great emphasis in it, as if he should say; Yet notwithstanding will not I turn away from the Lord; I will still persevere in faith. He yet augments the matter when he adds, So I will wait. Seeing our faith is wont to stagger and faint when offences do happen. It is grievously shaken when we see our selves forsaken of our companions, and that the sworn enemies of the Church do proudly usurp the title of it: for offences for the most part do cause us to turn away from God, filling us with such perplexed thoughts, that we are ready to call the truth of his word into question. This consolation then is very necessary, as well in the calamities wherewith the Church is oppressed, as in the troubles wherewith she is tossed by the disloyalty of others.