Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Some think this should rather be referred to Hezekiah, who was a figure of Christ: but how inconsiderately we showed heretofore. For when Hezekiah was borne, the name and royal dignity of the house of David had yet vigour and strength in his successors: and besides, he was far short of this greatness, whereof he will speak by and by.

Some thinke this should rather be referred to Ezekiah, who was a figure of Christ: but how inconsiderately wee shewed heretofore. For when Ezekias was borne, the name and royall dignitie of the house of Dauid had yet vigor and strength in his successours: and besides, hee was farre short of this greatnesse, whereof he will speake by and by.

Moreover, hence we gather, that the spiritual Kingdom of Christ was promised in times past to the ancient people, inasmuch as the virtue, power, and majesty thereof is here established in the gifts of the Holy ghost. Now albeit Christ had little need of these gifts and graces: yet was it needful for us that he should be thus enriched with them, because he took our flesh upon him; to the end he might afterwards pour out again all those benefits upon us, whereof we should otherwise have been utterly destitute. For out of his fullness must we all draw grace upon grace, even as out of the fountain;¹ according to that in John 1.16.

Moreouer, hence we gather, that the spirituall Kingdome of Christ was promised in times past to the antient people, inasmuch as the vertue, power, and maiestie thereof is heere established in the gifts of the Holy ghost. Now albeit Christ had little neede of these gifts and graces: yet was it needfull for vs that he should be thus inriched with them, because hee tooke our flesh vpon him; to the end hee might afterwards powre out againe all those benefits vpon vs, whereof we should otherwise haue been vtterly destitute. For out of his fulnesse must we all draw grace vpon grace, euen as out of the fountaine;