Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah shows now the final cause; wherefore this deliverance was to be preferred before all other benefits of God; because he will not only bring his people out of captivity, but will also establish Christ in his royal throne; under whose Kingdom there shall be seen a sovereign and an eternal felicity. And thus he shows that this deliverance shall be no temporary or perishable benefit, seeing he comprehends the whole time wherein the Church should be preserved until the coming of Christ. Neither is it any marvel if the Prophet passeth forthwith from the return of the ancient people, to the full & whole restoration of the Church, which notwithstanding should not come to pass many ages after. For we have said heretofore in the seventh Chapter,¹ verse 14. that all the promises of salvation are grounded upon the Mediator, for whose sake only God is merciful unto us: and therefore the Prophets were often wont to propound this pledge and earnest penny, as oft as they would encourage the faithful, and raise them up to a comfortable expectation of deliverance. And thus it came to pass, that the return from the captivity of Babylon, was a beginning of that restoration of the Church, which in conclusion happened in the perfection thereof; to wit, when Christ appeared: in regard whereof, there is no absurdity in this so continual a progress of time. And therefore Isaiah teacheth, that they were not to stay their minds in the beholding of the present benefit, but to consider the end; and thereunto to refer all these things: as if they should have said; Our happiness consists in our deliverance from death; not to lead our lives only in the land of Canaan; but rather that we should aspire to the kingdom of heaven.

ISaiah shewes now the finall cause; wherefore this deliuerance was to bee preferred before all other benefits of God; because hee will not onely bring his people out of captiuitie, but will also establish Christ in his royall throne; vnder whose Kingdome there shall be seene a soueraigne and an eternall felicitie. And thus he shewes that this deliuerance shall be no temporary or perishable benefit, seeing hee comprehends the whole time wherein the Church should be preserued vntill the comming of Christ. Neither is it any meruaile if the Prophet passeth forthwith from the returne of the antient people, to the full & whole restauration of the Church, which notwithstanding should not come to passe many ages after. For we haue said heretofore in the seuenth Chapter,¹