Why?

Why?¹

1. 1The word Behold used.

Not to spend time in the variety of acceptions, but to speak of it as may serve for the present purpose.¹ The use of it in the Prophet, especially out of which these words are taken, was to present Christ to the hearts of the people of God then, therefore he saith Behold; for Christ was present to the Believers then, he did profit before he was, he did good before he was exhibited, because he was the Lamb of God slain from the beginning of the world, he was yesterday as well as to day, and to morrow as well as to day, yesterday, to day, and the same for ever: he was present to their Faith, and present to them in Types and Sacrifices, and present in Gods acceptation of him for them; therefore the Prophets mount up with the wing of Prophecy, and in regard of the certainty of the things to come, they speak as if they were present, as if they had looked on Christ present, Behold my servant, and Behold a Virgin, &c.

Not to spend time in the variety of acceptions, but to speake of it as may serve for the present purpose.¹ The use of it in the Prophet, especially out of which these words are taken, was to present Christ to the hearts of the people of God then, therefore he saith Behold; for Christ was present to the Beleevers then, he did profit before hee was, hee did good before he was exhibited, because he was the Lambe of God slaine from the beginning of the world, he was yesterday as well as to day, and to morrow as well as to day, yesterday, to day, and the same for ever: he was present to their Faith, and present to them in Types and Sacrifices, and present in Gods acceptation of him for them; therefore the Prophets mount up with the wing of Prophesie, and in regard of the certainty of the things to come, they speake as if they were present, as if they had looked on Christ present, Behold my servant, and Behold a Virgin, &c.