Notwithstanding he speaks expressly of the remnant, because this deliverance should appertain but to a little handful of seed. Lastly, he repeats that which he had said heretofore; Howsoever God separates and scatters his Church, yet can it not be that he should wholly reject it; because it is no l•sse precious unto him, then our heritage is dear unto every one of us. Now he speaks not of the Assyrians, which had led the people into captivity, but also of other nations amongst whom the Jews were scattered. For after the greater part of the people were carried into Babylon, some fled into Ethiopia, others into other regions; because they feared lest they should be led into the same bondage with others. As touching Parthe, in the text it is Pathros, some think it should be Parthe; and this is probable, although others say that it is Arabia the Stony. Under the word Elam, he comprehends the Medes, Zocdians, Bactrians, and other Eastern people. Shinar, or Ethiopia, is comprehended in Chaldea. By Hamath, some understand Cilicia, and other neighbour regions about Mount Taurus. Under this word of the Isles, the Jews understand all the regions which are beyond the sea. For according to their opinion, Greece, Italy, and Spain are Isles; because the sea is between them and others. We see then that the Prophet speaks not only here of the deliverance which was under Zerubbabel, but the aims at a further mark: for the Jews were not then carried into Egypt, neither into Ethiopia, nor yet into any other regions. This cannot be understood then of the deliverance out of Babylon, but ought to be referred to the kingdom of Christ, under which this deliverance hath been, and is accomplished by the preaching of the Gospel. Moreover, we must observe, that this which is here mentioned, is a special work of God, and not of men; because he saith, that the Lord shall stretch out his hand; herein attributing that to the divine power of the Lord, which men cannot accomplish by all their strength.
Notwithstanding hee speakes expresly of the remnant, because this deriuerance should appertaine but to a little handfull of seede. Lastly, hee repeates that which hee had said heretofore; Howsoeuer God separates and scatters his Church, yet can it not be that he should wholly reiect it; because it is no l•sse pretious vnto him, then our heritage is deare vnto euerie one of vs. Now he speakes not of the Assyrians, which had led the people into captiuitie, but also of other nations amongst whom the Iewes were scattered. For after the greater part of the people were carried into Babylon, some fled into Ethiopia, others into other regions; because they feared lest they should be led into the same bondage with others. As touching Parthe, in the text it is Pathros, some thinke it should be Parthe; and this is probable, although others say that it is Arabia the Stony. Vnder the word Elam, he comprehends the Medes, Zocdians, Bactrians, and other Easterne people. Shinar, or Ethiopia, is comprehended in Chaldea. By Hamath, some vnderstand Cilicia, and other neighbour regions about Mount Taurus. Vnder this word of the Iles, the Iewes vnderstand all the regions which are beyond the sea. For according to their opinion, Greece, Italie, and Spaine are Iles; because the sea is betweene them and others. We see then that the Prophet speakes not onely heere of the deliuerance which was vnder Zorobabel, but the aimes at a further marke: for the Iewes were not then carried into Egypt, neither into Ethiopia, nor yet into any other regions. This cannot be vnderstood then of the deliuerance out of Babylon, but ought to be referred to the kingdome of Christ, vnder which this deliuerance hath been, and is accomplished by the preaching of the Gospell. Moreouer, we must obserue, that this which is heere mentioned, is a speciall worke of God, and not of men; because hee saith, that the Lord shall stretch out his hand; heerein attributing that to the diuine power of the Lord, which men cannot accomplish by all their strength.
