Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

There is here then a close opposition; to wit, that Christ governs not the rich: that is to say, those who are blown up with a false opinion of themselves: because that howsoever he calls all men unto him, yet notwithstanding the most part refuse to subject themselves under his government; for they are the poor only, which suffer themselves to be guided by him. This text admonisheth us to strip our selves quite and clean of all pride, and to put on the spirit of meekness and modesty, if we desire that Christ should rule us under his hand. Behold here then the spiritual poverty which the Prophet recommends to all the members of Christ, which is not to be swollen with an overweening, b•t truly to be humbled with the feeling of our poverty and misery, to the end we may depend upon Christ only. Having once resolved throughly upon that, this King and faithful protector will take care of our salvation, and will defend us even to the very end against all our enemies: we also here learn, who they be that he calls unto him, Come to me all you, saith he, that travail and are heavy laden: Matth. 11.28. Needful it is then that we travail and be pressed under the weight of our burden, if we will feel and have experience of his succour.

There is heere then a close opposition; to wit, that Christ gouernes not the rich: that is to say, those who are blowne vp wiith a false opinion of themselues: because that howsoeuer he cals al men vnto him, yet notwithstanding the most part refuse to subiect themselues vnder his gouernement; for they are the poore onely, which suffer themselues to be guided by him. This text admonisheth vs to strippe our selues quite and cleane of all pride, and to put on the spirit of meekenesse and modestie, if wee desire that Christ should rule vs vnder his hand. Behold heere then the spirituall pouertie which the Prophet recommends to all the members of Christ, which is not to be swollen with an ouerweening, b•t truely to be humbled with the feeling of our pouertie and miserie, to the end we may depend vpon Christ onely. Hauing once resolued throughly vpon that, this King and faithfull protectour will take care of our saluation, and will defend vs euen to the very end against all our enemies: we also heere learne, who they be that he calles vnto him, Come to mee all you, saith he, that trauaile and are heauie laden: