In Isaiah 49.1, 2, 3, 4. the Prophet seems to set it Dialogue-wise; one expresseth it thus; First Christ begins, and shows his commission, telling God how he had called him, and fitted him for the work of redemption, and he would know what reward he should have of him for so great an undertaking. The Lord hath called me from the womb, 1from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name, and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he bid me. Upon this God answers him, and tells him what reward he should have for so great an undertaking; only at first he offers low, viz. only the elect people of Israel. And he said unto me, thou art my servant O Israel,2 in whom I will be glorified; or Israel it is in whom I will be glorified by thee. Christ who stood now a making his bargain with him, thought these too few, and not worth so great a labour and work, because few of the Jews would come in, but would refuse him, and therefore he says he should labour in vain, if this were all his recompense, then said I, 3I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain; & yet withal he tells God, that seeing his heart was so much in saving sinners, he would do it howsoever for those few, comforting himself with this, that his work, or his reward was with the Lord. Upon this God comes off more freely, and opens his heart more largely to him, as meaning more amply to content him for his pains in dying;4 it is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribe of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel: that is not worth the dying for, I value thy sufferings more than so, I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles▪ that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth. Methinks I imagine as if I heard God speak unto Christ from eternity: See here I have loved a remnant of mankind both of Jews and Gentiles with an everlasting love, I know they will sin and corrupt themselves, and so become enemies to me, and liable unto eternal death; now thou art a mighty person, able to do what I require of thee for them;
In Isaiah 49.1, 2, 3, 4. the Prophet seems to set it Dialogue-wise; one expresseth it thus; First Christ begins, and shews his commission, telling God how he had called him, and fitted him for the work of redemption, and he would know what reward he should have of him for so great an undertaking. The Lord hath called me from the womb, 1from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name, and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he bid me. Upon this God answers him, and tells him what reward he should have for so great an undertaking; only at first he offers low, viz. onely the elect people of Israel. And he said unto me, thou art my servant O Israel,2 in whom I will be glorified; or Israel it is in whom I will be glorified by thee. Christ who stood now a making his bargain with him, thought these too few, and not worth so great a labor and work, because few of the Jews would come in, but would refuse him, and therefore he says he should labour in vain, if this were all his recompence, then said I, 3I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain; & yet withal he tells God, that seeing his heart was so much in saving sinners, he would do it howsoever for those few, comforting himself with this, that his work, or his reward was with the Lord. Upon this God comes off more freely, and opens his heart more largely to him, as meaning more amply to content him for his pains in dying;4 it is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribe of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel: that is not worth the dying for, I value thy sufferings more than so, I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles▪ that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth. Methinks I imagine as if I heard God speak unto Christ from eternity: See here I have loved a remnant of mankind both of Jews and Gentiles with an everlasting love, I know they will sin and corrupt themselves, and so become enemies to me, and liable unto eternal death; now thou art a mighty person, able to do what I require of thee for them;
- 1Isa. 19 1, 2.
- 2Ver. 3.
- 3ver. 4.
- 4ver. 6.
