Vers. 3.* 1.1 I the Lord doe keepe it: I will water it euerie moment: lest a∣nie assaile, I will keepe it night and day.
IN this verse the Lord shewes what care he hath for this vine, and what diligence hee vseth in dressing and keeping of it. As if he should say; I omit no care nor paines that belongs to a good master of a familie, who prouidently prouides all things fit for his houshold in due season. Now hee not onely shewes what hee will doe when the time of ioy and gladnesse shall come; but he also tels what benefits the Iewes had receiued from his hands before, that so they might be put in the better hope for the time to come. But in the mean while, we must supply a close op∣position here, of the time which is betweene these two: for God seemed vtterly to neglect his Church, and that in such wise, as it be∣came like a desert. And hence it was that the vineyard of the Lord was so spoiled and wa∣sted, to wit, because the Lord left it for a time, and gaue it vp as a pray into his enemies hands. Whence we gather,* 1.2 that our welfare will soone decay, if the Lord doe neuer so little withdraw himselfe from vs: as on the contrarie, that all shall goe well with vs, as long as he assists vs.
Now he mentions two points wherein the Lord will shew his diligence; to wit, hee will water his vine continually, and will also [ 1] inclose and watch it, that it be not ouerrunne [ 2] by theeues or wild beasts, but may be preser∣ued from all discommodities. These two things are chiefly to bee looked vnto for the good conseruation of a vine; to wit, that it be well husbanded, and well fenced. By watering of it, he comprehends whatsoeuer belongs to the dressing and manuring of it: wherein