Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 20. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and those which shall escape of the house of Jacob, shall rest no more upon him that smote them: for they shall rest upon the Lord, the holy one of Israel in truth.

Vers. 20. And it shall come to passe in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and those which shall escape of the house of Iacob, shall rest no more vpon him that smote them: for they shall rest vpon the Lord, the holy one of Israel in truth.

Now he returns to the chosen people, and describes the fruit of the chastisement which was at hand. For in as much as it is an hard and difficult thing to be molested and afflicted, and that we flee it as much as possibly we can• the Lord shows us the fruit of afflictions, that so having learned to consider the end thereof, we might endure them the more cheerfully: as if he should say, I know you would fain that the Assyrian were far off from you, that so you might enjoy your commodities quietly; but yet think with your selves, that this affliction is as necessary for you, as a potion for a sick stomach: for you know not the power of God, and therefore withdraw you your affiance from him, to set it upon the wicked. Now what a miserable thing is it to put the hope of our salvation in those that are Gods enemies, and to stay our selves upon them which seek nothing but our overthrow? For the Israelites rested one while upon the Assyrians; then upon the Egyptians. And therefore there was no loss in lessening of the people, because this little handful which remained, learned thereby to put their trust in God. And in this respect also we may know how needful it was that God should chastise the Israelites.

NOw hee returnes to the chosen people, and describes the fruit of the chastisement which was at hand. For in as much as it is an hard and difficult thing to be molested and afflicted, and that wee flee it as much as possibly we can• the Lord shewes vs the fruit of afflictions, that so hauing learned to consider the end thereof, we might indure them the more cheerefully: as if hee should say, I know you would faine that the Assyrian were farre off from you, that so you might inioy your commodities quietly; but yet think with your selues, that this affliction is as necessarie for you, as a potion for a sicke stomacke: for you know not the power of God, and therefore withdraw you your affiance from him, to set it vpon the wicked. Now what a miserable thing is it to put the hope of our saluation in those that are Gods enemies, and to stay our selues vpon them which seeke nothing but our ouerthrow? For the Israelites rested one while vpon the Assyrians; then vpon the Egyptians. And therefore there was no losse in lessening of the people, because this little handfull which remained, learned thereby to put their trust in God. And in this respect also wee may know how needefull it was that God should chastise the Israelites.