Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 3. I have commanded them that I have sanctified: and I have called the mighty to my wrath, and them that rejoice in my glory.

Vers. 3. I haue commanded them that I haue sanctified: and I haue called the mightie to my wrath, and them that reioyce in my glory.

Here the Prophet brings in the Lord speaking and declaring his Commandments. He calls the Medes and Persians his sanctified: that is to say, those which he had prepared. For the verb To sanctify, is diversly §1taken: sometimes it is referred to the spirit of regeneration, which is peculiarly given to §2the elect of God. Sometimes also it signifies to set apart, or prepare: which signification is the most fitting to this place. Now all those whom the Lord creates, he also appoints to some certain use; and scatters not men here and there upon the earth at random, to range whithersoever they think good: but he governs them by his secret counsel, orders and moderates the violences of the reprobates, so as he moves them at his pleasure, this way or that way; and then represseth and pulls them in short when he listeth. And therefore he calls them sanctified, whom he hath set apart, and prepared for his service, howsoever they be no whit aware of it,

HEere the Prophet brings in the Lord speaking and declaring his Commandements. He calles the Medes and Persians his sanctified: that is to say, those which hee had prepared. For the verbe To sanctifie, is diuersly §1taken: sometimes it is referred to the spirit of regeneration, which is peculiarly giuen to §2the elect of God. Sometimes also it signifies to set apart, or prepare: which signification is the most fitting to this place. Now all those whom the Lord creates, hee also appoints to some certaine vse; and scatters not men here and there vpon the earth at randome, to range whithersoeuer they think good: but he gouernes them by his secret counsell, orders and moderates the violences of the reprobates, so as hee moues them at his pleasure, this way or that way; and then represseth and pulles them in short when hee listeth. And therefore he calles them sanctified, whom hee hath set apart, and prepared for his seruice, howsoeuer they bee no whit aware of it,