Vers. 1. Who will beleeue our re∣port? and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed?
* 1.1WEe will not stand to speake of the diuisi∣on, or rather dismem∣bring of this Chap∣ter: for it should ra∣ther haue begunne at the 13. verse of the former Chapter. And this ought to be ioined to that which was said a little before: for the Prophet staies heere as it were in the middle of his speech. For hauing said before, that the name of Christ should be published farre and neere, euen amongst strange nati∣ons; and yet that he shall be so contemptible, that these things shall in a sort be esteemed no better then fables, he now suddenly stops in the mid way as it were, and cries, that none vvould beleeue him. And therewithall he also expresseth his griefe, to think that men should be so incredulous, as to reiect their owne sal∣uation. This is an holy complaint then: for his will is, that all should know Christ, and yet he sees but a few which beleeue the Gos∣pell: which makes him to vtter this lamen∣table cry; VVho hath beleeued our report?
[Vse.] Let vs then sigh and complaine with the Prophet: yea, let vs be euen greeued in our soules, if wee see little fruit to come of our labours, and let vs powre forth our com∣plaints before God. For thus ought the faith∣full seruants of God to bee affected, if they meane sincerely to discharge their duties. Isaiah shewes then, that the number of those shall bee very small, that shall submit them∣selues to the Gospell of Christ: for when hee cries; Who vvill beleeue our preaching? it is as much as if he had said; That of an hundred that heare the Gospell, scarcely one of them will proue a beleeuer.
Neither speakes hee of himselfe onelie heere, but as one representing the person of all the faithfull Ministers, Although God send many of his seruants then,* 1.2 yet there are but a few that beleeue: What shall become of them that inioy no preaching at all? shall we need to wonder much at their extreame blindnes? If the earth that is well husbanded, brings forth but little fruit; what is to bee expected from that that is vtterly barren, and vnhus∣banded? But the Gospell loseth no whit of his excellencie, though it get but few follow∣ers: neither doth the smal numbers of belee∣uers diminish the authoritie thereof, nor yet obscure the infinit glory of it: but rather so great is the mystery of it, that it can hardlie find any welcome in the world: for it is estee∣med folly, 1. Cor. 1.23. because it is far aboue the reach of their carnall reason.
In the second member Isaiah more cleerly sets downe the reason why there are so few beleeuers. What is that?* 1.3 None can come vnto God, without the especiall illumination of his holy Spirit. But those are deceiued in my iudgement, who thinke that arme heere signifies Iesus Christ. For it is a rendring of the cause, why the Gospell gets mo nore atten∣dants; namely, they cannot comprehend the mysteries thereof by the dexteritie of their turall wit. This is a very worthy sentence therefore, and it is alleadged both by Saint Iohn and Saint Paul to this very purpose: Iohn saith; that albeit Christ had done so many mi∣racles, yet they beleeued not: that the word which Isaiah had spoken might bee fulfilled; Lord, vvho hath beleeued our report? and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed? Iohn 12.37 And Saint Paul saith; But all haue not obeied the Gos∣pell: for Isaiah saith; Lord, vvho hath beleeued our preaching? Rom. 10.16.
Both of them shew, how we are not to won∣der if that which was so long since foretold, doth still come to passe, that so they might re∣moue that scandall which otherwise would remaine, in regard of this peoples reuolt, who in stead of acknowledging and receiuing Christ when he came, did obstinately resist him. And yet Isaiah meant not to tax his own Countrymen alone with this sinne,* 1.4 but com∣prehends all those that shall succeed them to the end of the world: for as long as Christ shal haue any kingdome on earth, this prophecie must be daily accomplished. And therefore the faithfull ought to be confirmed with this testimonie, against such an offence. Moreo∣uer, this refutes their ignorance, who ima∣gin that faith is in euery mans power, be∣cause the word preached is common to all. For though all be called to saluation by the ministery thereof,* 1.5 yet the Prophet expresly affirmes, that the outward voice which calles, profits nothing, vnlesse the particular grace of the holy Ghost concurre therewith. But whence is this difference? Onely from Gods secret election, who reserues the cause there∣of hid in his owne counsell.