Vers. 5. And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his ser∣uant, that I may bring Iaakob againe to him (though Israel be not gathered) yet shall I be glorious in the eies of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
HE confirmes the former sentence, and sets before vs a more full consolation by a repetition of the duties of his calling, and the testimonie of his owne conscience. And this ought to be a strong tower for vs to run vnto; for nothing disquiets nor troubles our minds more, then when we be vncertaine vn∣der whose leading it is that we enterprise this or that. Isaiah therefore brings vs to the cer∣tentie of our vocation. First then the faith∣ful [ 1] Ministers say with Christ their Prince and Captaine, that God hath formed them, in re∣gard he alwaies endues them whom he sends and calles to the office of teaching, with ne∣cessarie gifts, for they draw all the graces wherewith they are furnished from the only fountaine of grace the holy Ghost. Thus then in the first place God hath set his seale vpon Christ: next vnto him, vpon all his Ministers, [ 2] whom according to their measure he fits and prepares, that they may haue wherewithall to execute their charge. There withall he sets downe the end of their calling: for the A∣postles and teachers of the Church are or∣deined and sent to gather the scattered flock of Christ together, that all his sheep may be folded vnder him into one bodie. For there is a wofull scattering in the world, but in Ie∣sus Christ all are gathered in, as S. Paul saith Ephes. 1.10. other band of vnitie there is none.
As touching the word created, or formed. many trifle in descanting about the humane nature of Christ, which indeed was created: for it is more cleare then the Sunne at noone day that this creation is to be referred to his office.
Though Israel be not called.] The Iewes reade this by an interrogation, Shall I not bring Iacob againe, and shall not Israel be gathe∣red? But this reading is constreined, neither do they consider of the Prophets meaning, but as much as in them is, corrupt the text, that they might couer the shame of their na∣tion. Others expound, He shall not be lost: or, He shall not perish. For the verb Asak sig∣nifies, to trusse vp; for, they gather together that which is to be kept, or to be consumed: and so when we speake of one that is dead, we commonly say, he is trussed vp.
This sense agrees not ill, I am sent, that Is∣rael perish not, but I had rather follow ano∣ther exposition. Although all Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorified: for in this place we may see that two contraries are op∣posed one to another. If the Ministers of the word be ordeined to saue men, it is a great honor to them when many are brought to saluation; if not, it makes them abashed and ashamed: for S. Paul calles those whom he gained to Christ, his ioy, and his crowne, Phil. 4.1. 1. Thess. 2.19. Contrariwise if men perish, we beare shame and disgrace by it, in regard it seemes God curseth our labors, in that he vouchsafeth vs not that honor, as to be the aduancers of his kingdome by our Ministrie. Notwithstanding our Prophet affirmes, that such as haue serued Christ in this office, shall be glorified: for he comprehends the members vnder the head (as we haue oftē said before.)
Will not Israel be gathered then? yet shall Christes Ministrie lose no iot of glorie there∣by. For if men be not gathered, the burthen will lie whollie vpon their owne necks. In