Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Wonderful.] We must note,¹ that these titles be no vain things, but fitly applied to the present occasion: for the Prophet teacheth what a one Christ shall show himself to be towards the faithful. Now he disputes not of his incomprehensible essence, but extols his virtues, whereof we shall have experience by faith. Which we ought so much the more to keep in mind,² because men for the most part content themselves with the bare name of Christ, without consideration of his virtue and efficacy; the which indeed we ought evermore chiefly & principally to weigh and consider. In the first epithet he prepares the minds of the faithful to the consideration of a very rare thing, to wit, that they should expect some more excellent and greater matter from Christ, then that which we see in the course of Gods ordinary works. As if he should say, There are inestimable treasures, & wonderful things hidden in Christ. And the very truth is, that his redemption far surpasseth the work of the creation of heaven and earth. So then the sum is, that the grace which God hath manifested in Christ is more excellent then all other miracles.

Wonderfull.] We must note,¹ that these titles be no vaine things, but fitlie applied to the present occasion: for the Prophet teacheth what a one Christ shall shew himselfe to be towards the faithfull. Now he disputes not of his incomprehensible essence, but extols his vertues, whereof we shal haue experience by faith. Which we ought so much ye more to keepe in mind,² because men for the most part content themselues with the bare name of Christ, without consideration of his vertue and efficacie; the which indeed we ought euermore chieflie & principallie to weigh and consider. In the first epithite he prepares the minds of the faithfull to the consideration of a very rare thing, to wit, that they should expect some more excellent and greater matter from Christ, then that which we see in the course of Gods ordinarie workes. As if he should say, There are inestimable treasures, & wonderfull things hidden in Christ. And the very truth is, that his redemption farre surpasseth the worke of the creation of heauen and earth. So then the summe is, that the grace which God hath manifested in Christ is more excellent then all other miracles.