A commentary vpon the prophecie of Isaiah. By Mr. Iohn Caluin. Whereunto are added foure tables ... Translated out of French into English: by C.C.

Vers. 7. At that time shall a present be brought vnto the Lord of hostes (a people that is* 1.1 scattered abroad, and spoiled, and of a terrible people from their beginning hitherunto, a nation by little and little euen trodden vnder foote, whose land the riuers haue spoyled to the place of the name of the Lord of hostes, euen the mount Zion.

THe Prophet shewes againe wherefore he threatned the ruine of this prophane people. For in as much as all nations in a maner had conspired the destruction of the Church, it should seeme that her vtter sub∣uersion was now come. The Lord shewes then that he will assist her in due season; for had he not resisted such enterprises, and re∣pressed the plots of the enemies betimes, the Iewes might haue despaired: therefore hee lets it be knowne that he hath a care of his Church, so as howsoeuer it pleaseth him to chastise her, yet shall she feele his help in time conuenient. Yea, hee will oppose his strength against the power of tyrants and of her enemies, lest they should ouerthrow her, and so attaine their long expected hopes. That the Iewes then might be imboldned to wait with patience, he not only separates them from the Ethiopians, but aduertiseth them in like maner that God will moderate his iudgements for their saluation.

Now he alludes to the second verse of this Chapter, where wee saw the people of the Iewes termed by these names and titles. He vseth the verb To bring, because before this they should be led away as captiues, so as it should be no more lawfull for them to goe vp to the Temple, then for forreine nations. We must also note this word Rent: for his mea∣ning is that the people shall be scattered, as if hee should say, Howsoeuer you must bee brought to a small number, and shall be but a poore remnant, yet shall this little portion that remaines be offred vnto God for a sa∣crifice.

From hence we are to gather a most fruit∣full doctrine, and exceeding fit for our time* 1.2 We see the Church at this day to be almost past recouerie; for she is scattered, oppres∣sed, ouerwhelmed, and trodden downe on e∣uer side. What ought we to do in the mids of so great distresses? We must lay fast hold vpon these and the like promises; and assure our selues that howsoeuer the world goe, yet God will defend and maintaine his Church. And albeit she be as a bodie torne in pieces, and scattered here and there, yet will he easi∣ly gather her scattered members together a∣gaine, by the worke of his spirit: for he will neuer suffer the remembrance of his name,

nor the inuocation thereof to perish. The Lord will so worke, that of these peeces which lie now scattered here and there, there shall be a people made and gathered together. For it is easie with him to gather into one, those whom he knits together by the vnitie of his Spirit, although they be diuided farre asun∣der one from another. Although then that we see the Church diminished, and some of her members cut off; yet shall some gift bee reserued out of her, to be presented and offe∣red vnto the Lord.

To the place of the name] The Prophets are accustomed to vse this manner of speech of∣ten. For when they mention the seruice of God, they set is forth by externall exercises: as by altars, sacrifices, washings, and such like. Now the very truth is, that in regard the ser∣uice of God is internall, it cannot be repre∣sented but by outward signes; whereby men testifie that they serue and worshippe God. Now he names the mount of Zion here chiefly, because this place was consecrated vnto God, as the place wherein he would haue sa∣crifices offered vnto him. For the Lord ho∣noured this place aboue al others in causing the doctrine of his word to come out thence, as we haue seene Chap. 2.3. so that vnder this name wee may rightly vnderstand the pure and sincere worship of God. To conclude, the Prophets describe not this seruice in such wise as it should be after Christ his comming; but such as it was in their own times: the rea∣son is: because it was needfull for them to ap∣ply themselues to the capacitie of the people whom they taught. Hence wee may gather, that we appertaine not vnto the Church, vn∣lesse we be offered vnto God in sacrifice:* 1.3 Rom. 12.1. & 15.6. 2. Cor. 5.15. Whosoeuer hee be thē that challengeth any interest in God, let him offer himselfe vp such a sacrifice vnto him, and let him no longer liue vnto him∣selfe, but giue and consecrate himselfe vnto God. The meanes whereby this is done, is by the sword of Gods word, (to wit, the Gospell) whereby Paul glorifieth that he sacrificed and offered vp men vnto God: as Rom. 15.6. be∣fore alleaged.

By the place of the name of the Lord, he means not that the essence of God (of which wee must not thinke in any wise as of a carnall or earthly substance) should be inclosed there∣in, as if he were tied to any one place: but be∣cause it was the place wherein the Lord was pleased to manifest testimonies of his power, and to be honoured and called vpon: where he also shewed his presence by his goodnesse and power; especially in regard of the weak∣nesse of the people, who otherwise could not comprehend his maiestie. And yet we are to note, that wee cannot be acceptable vnto God, vnlesse wee be vnited vnto him in the same faith: that is to say, vnlesse wee be knit together as the members of his Church. It is not needfull indeed that we should runne to Ierusalem or to mount Zion: for Zion is now spread ouer all the world, and is consecrated vnto God in generall. It remaines then that we haue the same faith amongst vs, and that wee be ioyned and lincked together by the band of loue. For if these be wanting in vs, then is there nothing in the midst of vs but pollution;* 1.4 neither have we any thing that is holy and consecrated vnto vs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Or, rent, or torne.
• * 1.2

  A doctrine of singular vse.
• * 1.3

  We can haue no assurance that we be∣long to the Church of God, vnlesse we offer vp our bodies and soules a sacrifice vnto God.
• * 1.4

  Where faith and loue is wanting, there all things are vncleane vn∣to us.