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. 20. Therefore let them see and know, and let them consider and vnder∣stand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the holy one of Israel hath created it.

HOwsoeuer God shewes himselfe wonder∣full in all his works,* 1.1 yet when the matter concernes the restoring of his Church, it is then that he manifests his admirable power principally, so as he makes euery one astoni∣ed at it. We haue seene heretofore, and it will be repeated againe hereafter, that by brin∣ging the people home from captiuitie, the Lord left such a testimony of his power there∣in, as shall be memorable to the worlds end; and the Prophet in effect saith as much here. Now because we are either dull or carelesse in considering the workes of God, or heede

them not as we should;* 1.2 therefore they easily slip out of our mindes: and this is the cause why he repeates one thing so often. For wee still stand muzing rather vpon things of no∣thing, then to take to heart the workes of God: and if it fall out that they draw vs to a∣nie admiration of them, yet it is but as a won∣der that lasts for nine daies, because our mindes presently runne after other fancies, in which there is no fruit at all. The Prophet awakens vs then once againe, that he might chase away all sluggishnesse and sottishnesse of mind from vs, that so all our senses might bee brought to comprehend the power of God.

First of all then hee willes them to see or behold, which gets a certaine knowledge: then he addes consideration, which better confirmes vnderstanding, and more certainly. It is not certaine whether the Prophet speakes to the Iewes; that is to say, to those of the houshold of God, or to strangers: as I thinke, we may generally affirme, that when the Church should be restored, the power of God should then be perceiued of all nations neere and far off; so as all should bee compelled to ad∣mire so rare and excellent a worke. It is also certaine that the Medes and Persians hauing gotten dominion ouer the Iewes, were won∣derfully abashed in hearing these testimonies of the Prophets, but chiefly when they saw the accomplishment and effect thereof per∣formed before their eies: for they might well know that men could neuer bring such things to passe; and yet they were not con∣uerted to God themselues for all that.

Notes

• * 1.1

  God shewes his admira∣ble power in nothing more then in the redemp∣tion of his Church.
• * 1.2

  The cause why the Pro∣phet repeats one thing often.