Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

There returned but a small handful of people indeed, in comparison of the great multitude which had been led captive thither. Moreover, they inhabited not freely in their own country, but by way of lone: and they were to pay tribute to the Persians, so as they held not any appearance in a manner of their first dignity. Who would not then have preferred the flourishing estate which was in the house of David before this? Yet notwithstanding the Prophet affirms, that this last estate, howsoever it appeared much less, and more miserable, is yet nevertheless to be preferred before the first flourishing estate and glory of it. He shows also that there shall be greater joy then, than when there was abundance of all sorts of riches and good things: which Ag likewise witnessed,¹ to wit, that the beauty of the last Temple should be greater than the first; although to outward view it should seem far otherwise. It is as much then as if Isaiah should have said, There was never greater joy, no not when the multitude of people was much more: for howsoever we be few, and a small number, yet notwithstanding thou hast so revived us by the light wherewith thou hast shined unto us, that there was no joy in the former •state comparable to this. For this deliverance was as an entrance of the true and perfect salvation, which was at the last brought and offered by Christ.

There returned but a small handfull of people indeede, in comparison of the great multitude which had been led captiue thither. Moreouer, they inhabited not freely in their owne countrey, but by way of lone: and they were to pay tribute to the Persians, so as they held not any appearance in a manner of their first dignitie. Who would not then haue preferred the flourishing estate which was in the house of Dauid before this? Yet notwithstanding the Prophet affirmes, that this last estate, howsoeuer it appeared much lesse, and more miserable, is yet neuerthelesse to bee preferred before the first flourishing estate and glorie of it. Hee shewes also that there shall bee greater ioy then, than when there was abundance of all sorts of riches and good things: which Agge likewise witnessed,¹ to wit, that the beautie of the last Temple should be greater than the first; although to outward view it should seeme farre otherwise. It is as much then as if Isaiah should haue said, There was neuer greater ioy, no not when the multitude of people was much more: for howsoeuer we be few, and a small number, yet notwithstanding thou hast so reuiued vs by the light wherewith thou hast shined vnto vs, that there was no ioy in the former state comparable to this. For this deliuerance was as an entrance of the true and perfect saluation, which was at the last brought and offered by Christ.